Biden to Headline Monday’s DNC Speaker Lineup
Speakers during Monday’s DNC primetime included Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Governor Cathy Hoechl, Olympic men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr, United Auto Workers Union President Sean Fein, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Dr. Jill Biden. are included.
Harris himself made a surprise appearance on stage. Greeted by thunderous applause, she thanked Biden and said she was feeling hopeful.
“It’s going to be a great week. And I want to start us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden, who will be speaking later tonight. Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, your lifetime of service to our nation. We are forever grateful for your service and all that you will continue to do.
And looking out at everyone tonight, I see the beauty of our great nation. People from every corner of our country and from every walk of life are here, united by our common vision for our country’s future.” He continued, “Thus guiding our love for country, knowing that We all have a lot in common. What separates us, let us fight for the ideals we hold dear, and we must always remember that when we fight, we win.“
The night will be capped off by a keynote address from President Joe Biden himself, who dropped out of the 2024 race a month ago to make way for Harris-Wallace’s ticket.
Kerr called the audience to action by recalling his team’s gold medal performance in Paris.
“Think about what our team accomplished in Paris with 12 Americans, putting aside animosity to represent their country,” he said. As in, not — not as Democrats, as Republicans. Not as libertarians, but as Americans. Who knows that the greatness of this nation will come from not one of us but each of us doing our part to create a more perfect union. That’s what this campaign is all about.”
Fein tailored his message to the working class and union members, highlighting Biden’s historic choice to stand with the UAW in 2023.
“On the one hand, we have Kamala Harris and Tim Walls, standing shoulder to shoulder with the working class. On the other, we have Trump and Vance. Two lap dogs for the billionaire class, who only care about their own. Serve. It’s very easy for us in the labor movement, Kamala Harris is one of us.
Ocasio-Cortez echoed the progressive talk of Harris and Walls, thanking Biden “for his leadership.”
I am here tonight because America presents us with a rare and precious opportunity. In Kamala Harris, we have an opportunity to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class.” “She understands the urgent need for rent checks and groceries and prescriptions,” he said. are She is as committed to our reproductive and civil rights as she is to corporate greed.”
Other speakers paid tribute to President Biden, thanking him for his career in public service and his accomplishments as president even as they built enthusiasm for this year’s candidate.
“We’re going to give him all the flowers. We’re going to talk about the fact that he’s probably the greatest Labor president, the greatest renewal president, we’ve ever had, and we’re going to continue to support him,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois).
Monday’s theme is “For the People.” Delegates are also set to vote on the 2024 Democratic party platform Monday evening.
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have fought tirelessly to lower costs for the American middle class, and their trusted Vice President, Kamala Harris, is the right person to lead that fight, and this week It’s about celebrating what it means to the people,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware).
“Joe Biden showed this country what real leadership looks like. It’s about working for the American people. Results, progress. Doing the right thing just because it’s right. To lead us into the future. ” said Cedric Richmond, co-chairman of the Harris Walls campaign.
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Earlier in the day, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker played the role of party cheerleader at the Illinois delegation’s breakfast Monday morning, but Democrats started their day on a high note.
“Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris as the first woman president of the United States? Barack gave us hope. Kamala is going to lead us forward,” Illinois House Speaker Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-IL 7th District) said. .
Party leaders expressed delight at the pace they feel heading into the vice presidential convention and looking ahead to November.
“I think what’s important to know is that the vice president had three jobs: unify the party, destroy the base, overturn the election. We think it’s all over. take it and try to increase it.” said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago).
Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz praised President Joe Biden at the Congressional Black Caucus meeting and expressed excitement about the party’s future.
“But that’s a man, who all the good decisions he made, one of the first ones he made was he put Kamala Harris at his side to make sure, and then he listened to her and then he passed the torch to her,” Walz said.
