WASHINGTON – In back-to-back speeches Wednesday at the Virtual Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris reach out to Americans who feel left out and alienated by the Trump administration, including voters who may not have a problem getting a vote and victims of structural racism.
The speeches were part of an evening that highlighted people suffering from social suffering that Democrats claim the Trump White House did not address, such as unconscious immigrants and victims of gun violence. The two hours of programming also marked the steps taken by women in politics, concluded by the nomination of Harris, the first woman of color on a major presidential card. It also contained remarks by House member Nancy Pelosi, sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The evening was booked by striking words about the importance of voting, first from former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was hit in the head a decade ago during a mass shooting and was left with brain damage.
“America needs all of us to speak out, even if you have to fight to find the words,” said Giffords, who has fought powerfully to regain the power of speech. “We’re at a crossroads. We can continue the shooting or we can act. We can protect our families, our future. We can vote. We can be on the right side of history. We have to choose Joe Biden. He was there for me; he will be there for you too. Join us in this fight. Vote, vote, vote. “
Near the end of the night, Obama made a more universal appeal to voters. In between moments of hurtful criticism of President Donald Trump, the former president spoke of voter oppression and targeted those who “feel under government.”
“Here’s the point: This president and those in power – those who benefit from keeping things the way they are – are counting on your cynicism,” he said. “They know they can not overcome you with their policies. So they hope to make it as difficult as possible for you to vote, and to convince them that your vote does not matter.
“That’s how they win. … That’s how a democracy disappears until it’s not a democracy at all. And we can not do that. Let them not take away your power. Let them not take your democracy,” Obama said.
Harris spoke directly with people of color, describing how the coronavirus responsible for the deaths of 170,000 Americans this year is not “an equal opportunity offender.”
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) accepts the nomination of the Democratic Vice-Presidency during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual Democratic National Convention of the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, US, August 19, 2020.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
“Black, Latino and indigenous people suffer and die disproportionately. This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism,” she said. “From inequalities in education and technology, health care and housing, job security and transportation. … This virus has no eyes, and yet it knows exactly how we see each other – and how we treat each other.
“And let’s be clear – there is no vaccine for racism. We have to do the work,” Harris said.
These and other speeches made the evening feel that the Democratic Party has firmly reached out to the people they most need to vote for in November: Young people and disaffected progressives, people of color who sat in the 2016 presidential election, and Spanish voters.
There was a plea that ran through many of the speeches on Wednesday. It was “making a plan” to vote, whether it had to be by post or early voting, the emphasis was on avoiding a crutch of personal voters on election day.
Clinton framed the strikes as follows: “Vote for parents struggling to balance their children’s education and safety. And for health care workers who fight Covid-19 without the help of the White House. Vote for paid family leave and health care for everyone …. Vote for ‘Dreamers’ and their families.For law enforcement who serve and respect communities of color … Voice as our lives and livelihoods are on the line because they are .
“Remember: Joe and Kamala can win with 3 million more votes and still lose. Take. It. Fan. Me. We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can not cut or steal his way to victory,” she said.
Much attention was paid to the nominated president, Joe Biden, but the evening did not feel like a payoff for the former vice president, who is set to take the stage on Thursday, when more of the program probably revolves around him. Until now, Democrats have been careful to keep the focus on voters every night, filling the broadcast with personal stories that fight and emphasize solidarity.
While the tone reflected Biden’s own low-key style and the seriousness of problems facing the country this year, it was also an almost constant reminder that the virtual Republican convention next week will be very different – heavily focused on Trump. each of the four days.
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