A multitude of politicians spoke about the upcoming election at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC).
The DNC is an opportunity for people to come together and rally behind the democratic presidential nominees, first taking place in 1832 and recurring every election year.
This year, tens of millions of people tuned in, ensuring they wouldn’t miss a second of our country’s history; if you weren’t watching, here’s what you missed.
Vice President Kamala Harris Officially Accepts Presidential Nomination
On the fourth and final night, Harris gave the biggest speech of her career thus far.
Harris opened her speech with the moving story of her immigrant mother’s “unlikely journey,” and connected with her audience as she shared her experience growing up.
“We lived in the flats. A beautiful, working-class neighborhood of firefighters, nurses and construction workers. All who tended their lawns with pride,” said Harris.
She then shared a personal testimony of how her life has led up to this campaign, beginning with her mother, who told her to “never complain about injustice, but do something about it,” and with her high school friend Wanda, who “was being sexually abused by her step-father.”
These moments led her to be a prosecutor “for The People,” and now, to the race for United States President.
As the current vice president, Harris has gained valuable experience over the past four years and promises that as president, she would further improve this nation.
Harris said “As vice president, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas. As commander in chief,” she ensures that she will do her absolute best to lead the United States into success, within our economy and in comparison to competing countries.
Finally, Harris closed this powerful speech by formally accepting the presidential nomination “on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth.”
Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles Endorses Harris
Republican Mayor of Mesa, AZ John Giles took a daring stance in his speech on the second night.
Shockingly, Giles rebuked Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, endorsing Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris.
Giles said “I’m a lifelong Republican, so, I feel a little out of place tonight, but I feel more at home here than in today’s Republican party.”
He accredits this discomfort to Trump’s reign, and the “extremist… cult of Donald Trump” that the Republican party now resembles.
He is not alone, being part of the ‘Republicans for Harris’ group.
Giles is joined by Trump’s Former Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who said “I love my country more than my party,” and standing for her country means ensuring “Donald Trump never returns to the White House.”
These Republicans do not simply endorse Harris due to lack of respect for Trump though; they have faith in Harris’ ability to lead our country.
“Kamala Harris is the competent, just and fair leader our country deserves. This year too much is at stake to vote Republican at the top of the ticket,” said Giles.
President Joe Biden Gives a Moving Farewell Speech
At the 2024 DNC, Biden delivered a lengthy, heartfelt speech, marking the closure of his tenure and receiving what seemed to be unending accolades.
Biden said “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” a quote the American people immediately latched on to.
In 2020, Biden and Harris attracted “Eighty-one million voters… more than any time in all of history,“ in order to bring to life “an America where honesty, dignity, decency, still matter… where everyone has a shot and hate has no safe harbor,” said Biden.
As a result of this term, Biden and Harris introduced numerous positive changes, which he outlined in this speech.
“We’ve had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever… Covid no longer controls our lives. We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world… Wages are up, inflation is down.. and continuing to decrease,” said Biden.
These are only a few examples of how Harris has impacted the U.S. thus far, so Biden has complete confidence in her ability to lead this nation.
Biden said “We need you to beat Donald Trump and elect Kamala and Tim President and Vice President of the United States of America. Look, they’ll continue to lead America forward.”
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) Delivers Powerful Speech
AOC heavily discussed her experience growing up, relating to America’s large working-class population.
“Six years ago, I was taking omelet orders as a waitress in New York City. I didn’t have health insurance. My family was fighting off foreclosure and we were struggling with bills after my dad passed away unexpectedly from cancer,” said AOC.
Furthermore, she used her story to promote the Democratic candidates, who are working to assist this demographic.
“I am here tonight because America has before us a rare and precious opportunity. In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a President who is for the middle class, because she is from the middle class,” said AOC.
In addition to promoting Harris and Walz, AOC stressed the importance of electing “strong Democratic majorities in the House and in the Senate so that we can deliver on an ambitious agenda for the people.”
As someone who had to work her way up, AOC receives backlash from more privileged individuals, but perseveres- as always.
“Republicans have attacked me by saying that I should go back to bartending. But let me tell you, I’m happy to, any day of the week, because there is nothing wrong with working for a living,” said AOC.
Like many at the DNC, AOC spoke against Trump, illustrating his self-centered tendencies.
AOC said “We know that Donald Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends.”
Additionally, AOC was the first to mention Gaza at the DNC, receiving an eruption of cheers.
“She [Kamala Harris] is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing hostages home,” said AOC.
Ex-Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Tears Down Former President Donald Trump
Clinton delivered an intense speech in opposition of Trump on night one.
In her own presidential campaign, Clinton was consistently belittled by Trump, as Harris has been; she claims Trump “is lying about Kamala’s record, he’s mocking her name and her laugh,” then goes to pose the question, “Sound familiar?”
According to Clinton, the disrespect Trump promotes is not only in competition, but is simply part of his lifestyle.
Trump “fell asleep at his own trial. And when he woke up, he made his own kind of history—the first person to run for President with 34 felony convictions,” said Clinton.
On the other hand, both her and Harris began their journeys as prosecutors: a position Trump lacks the morals to fulfill.
“Kamala locked up murderers and drug traffickers. She will never rest in defense of our freedom and safety,” meanwhile, being “for The People,” as Harris claims to be, “is something that Donald Trump will never understand,” Clinton said.
Clinton believes that Trump’s self-interest does not allow him to fulfill the presidential role as described in the United States Constitution.
“The Constitution says, the President’s job is to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed,’… Just look at the candidates. Kamala cares—cares about kids and families, cares about America. Donald only cares about himself,” said Harris.
Son of Vice President Candidate Tim Walz, Gus Walz, Has an Emotional Moment: Leads to an Outburst of Hatred
Gus Walz, a neurodivergent 17 year old, boldly supported his father in front of millions.
Most people were moved by this display, but not all.
Many Republicans responded with hateful and insensitive comments.
When Tim Walz gave his speech and mentioned Gus, Gus could be seen standing and crying as he screamed “That’s my dad!”
In response, several conservatives, such as Conservative Columnist Ann Coulter, made fun of his emotional response.
“Talk about weird…” said Coulter in a post on X, along with a photo of Gus in tears.
She was not the only one, as other Republicans saw this emotional display as feminine
New Jersey Republican Mike Crispi said “You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats.”
In a similar manner, Republican Podcast Host Alec Lace said “get that kid a tampon already.”
In response, Former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke out against this discrimination.
“I was touched to see Gus Walz’s joy when his dad.. took the stage last night. Thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus. Let’s be a nation that embraces this kind of warmth and vulnerability, instead of making fun or mocking it,” said Obama.