Michelle Obama received the loudest applause of the evening on day two of the Democratic National Convention.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, after taking the DNC stage in Chicago, Obama, 60, said that she could feel something “magical” in the room as people looked to their new Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
“America: Hope is making a comeback,” she declared, saying that the newfound excitement comes with “the chance to vanquish the demons of fear, division and hate that have consumed us.”
“To be honest, I am realizing that until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. And maybe you have experienced the same feelings: That deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future,” she added.
Obama then noted that the dread was compounded by lingering grief over the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.
“I still feel her loss so profoundly,” the former first lady said. “I wasn’t even sure if I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight, but my heart compelled me to be here because of the sense of duty I feel to honor her memory — and to remind us all not to squander the sacrifices our elders made to give us a better future.”
Barack and Michelle Obama stand on stage together at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Al Drago/getty
Obama then drew a through line between her mother’s values and Harris’ vision for the future if elected president.
“[My mother] believed that all children, all people have value. That anyone can succeed if given the opportunity,” she said. “Kamala Harris and I built our lives on those same foundational values. Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country.”
“That’s why [Harris’] mother moved here from India at 19. It’s why she taught Kamala about justice. About the obligation to lift others up. About our responsibility to give more than we take,” Obama continued.
During the 2016 DNC, Obama famously coined the phrase, “When they go low, we go high,” as she spoke about the criticism Hillary Clinton faced from Republicans on the campaign trail. This time around, Obama embraced a new motto, taking words from Harris’ own late mother, Shyamala Gopalan: “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.”
“With that voice in her head, Kamala went out and she worked hard,” Obama said, launching into a list of the vice president’s accomplishments.
“Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment,” the former first lady continued. “She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency, and she is one of the most dignified: a tribute to her mother and my mother and to your mother too.”
Kamala Harris greets delegates on the opening night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty
Elsewhere in her speech, Obama drew comparisons between Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open to others,” Obama said.
“If we bankrupt a business, or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead, no,” she continued, taking a dig at Trump’s business failures and generational wealth. “If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect to see an escalator waiting to get us to the top.”
“It couldn’t be more obvious: Of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great,” she added.
Obama told the crowd that she expects Harris’ supporters to fight back against misinformation that comes up during the campaign, and to not get too comfortable or discouraged by fluctuating poll numbers.
At several moments on stage, she reminded listeners of Gopalan’s saying to stop complaining and “do something,” urging Democrats to be proactive in ensuring that their “uphill battle” is won in November.
Former first lady Michelle Obama waves to the crowd as she arrives to speak at the 2024 DNC on Aug. 20.
Hannah Beier/getty
Obama has been a staple at the DNC since 2008, when her husband, then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, ran for president. The former first couple has made appearances at each DNC since leaving the White House, in support of Clinton, Joe Biden and now Harris.
The Obamas endorsed Harris in July with a video of them talking to her over the phone.
“We’ve got to work now. All of us, you know,” the former first lady said in the video. “It’s time to stop wringing our hands, it’s time to stop complaining, it’s time for us to rally around you, your candidacy. This is not on you, it’s not just on you and Doug, it’s on all of us.”
They also shared a statement, praising “the vision, the character, and the strength” that Harris will have when facing critical moments.
