Barack and Michelle Obama energize Democrats, but caution that the race will be close.

 

Michelle and Barack Obama delivered strong endorsements for Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, urging party supporters nationwide to vote against Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. "Hope is making a comeback," Michelle Obama declared to the crowd in Chicago, echoing her husband’s campaign slogan of "hope and change."

In their consecutive speeches, the Democratic Party's most influential figures lauded Harris while sharply criticizing Trump, with Barack Obama describing his presidency as one defined by "bluster and chaos." Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Harris's campaign, the Obamas cautioned their party not to lose focus, emphasizing that the election remains highly competitive, particularly in crucial swing states.

"Make no mistake, it will be a fight," said the 63-year-old former president. Michelle Obama, 60, reinforced the urgency, stating, "We need to vote in numbers that erase any doubt. We need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us." Barack Obama further expressed confidence in Harris’s readiness for leadership, saying, "We are ready for a President Kamala Harris. And Kamala Harris is ready for the job."

The Obamas' appeal highlighted a deeper concern within the party about the close race between Harris and Trump, who maintains a strong grip on his loyal supporters across the country. Although Harris holds a slight lead in national polls, experts warn that the race remains a virtual tie in the key battleground states that will ultimately decide the election through the electoral college system.

Harris, the incumbent candidate, has referred to herself and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as underdogs in the race. The Obamas acknowledged the renewed energy within the party since Harris replaced President Joe Biden after he exited the race, subtly referencing the hope and excitement that propelled Barack Obama to victory in the 2008 presidential election.

During her speech, Michelle Obama also criticized Trump for attacking her family and promoting "ugly, misogynistic, racist lies" instead of offering real solutions to improve people's lives. She drew some of the night's loudest cheers when she mocked Trump's use of the term "black jobs" on the campaign trail, suggesting that the job Trump is seeking might just be one of those.

The former first lady also paid tribute to her late mother, Marian Robinson, who passed away earlier this year at 86. "I wasn't even sure if I could be steady enough to stand before you tonight, but my heart compelled me to," she told the audience.

Meanwhile, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have been hosting rallies and events in swing states, with Vance attacking Harris's record as vice president, focusing on crime, public safety, and the economy—areas where Republicans believe they have an advantage. 

Although Harris was not present at the convention in Chicago due to her campaign in Wisconsin, the event featured a lively roll call with delegates symbolically casting their votes for Harris and Walz. The vice president later addressed the convention virtually from her rally in Milwaukee, expressing her gratitude for the nomination and promising to join the crowd in Chicago soon.