Elizabeth Warren Speech Preview, Bill Clinton Speech Time: DNC Day 2 Updates
First Lady Michelle Obama’s speeches tend to draw popular support among grassroots supporters, and we expect her to achieve the same result on the Democratic National Convention’s opening night in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, even with the added challenge of this year’s election.
Last time she spoke at the DNC in 2008, she successfully captured the audience’s approval when she introduced her family, and convinced the crowds why Barack Obama is the right choice for president. This time around, things will be different.
The economic situation is not improving fast enough for some voters. Mrs. Obama is tasked with the challenging job of reassuring Americans that the economy will show positive growth if Barack Obama is reelected.
Pivotal to the Obama-Biden platform this year is women’s reproductive rights. The Democratic platform emphasizes a pro-choice stance, while the Romney-Paul campaign vehemently opposes abortion. After GOP Missouri Senate Candidate Todd Akin caused public outcries from both Republicans and Democrats when he said that women do not get pregnant from “legitimate rape,” Democrats have a better chance at swaying the female vote, and who better to relate to women than a woman herself?
Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which aims to educate families about healthy eating and exercise habits, is sure to win over a lot of people from various economic backgrounds and was a hit during the Olympic Games.
Michelle Obama’s consistently high approval ratings show her ability to connect with a wide range of Americans. Voting blocs like veterans, married women, the LGBTQ community, and college-aged voters are crucial for the campaign. It is common for first ladies have higher approval ratings than their husbands throughout history, and Mrs. Obama is not an exception.
Her likeable demeanor and straightforward speeches will only help her communicate with American audiences on Tuesday night.
PolicyMic will be covering all the events and speeches during the Democratic National Convention live. For live updates bookmark and refresh this page.
UPDATE: To catch all the live action on Wednesday, including a preview of Elizabeth Warren and former President Bill Clinton's speeches during the 10:00 PM hour, see here.
11:19 p.m.
White House photographer Pete Souza captures the rest of the Obama family watching Mrs. Obama's DNC speech in the Treaty Room of the White House.
11:09 p.m.
Highlights from Michelle Obama's address:
“For Barack, these issues aren’t political: they’re personal. Because Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. He knows what it means to want something more from your kids and grandkids. Barack knows the American dream because he’s lived it. And he wants everyone in this country — everyone — to have the same opportunity no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love. And he believes that when you’ve worked hard and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back and give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”
"When it comes to rebuilding our economy, Barack is thinking about folks like my dad and like his grandmother. He’s thinking about the pride that comes from a hard day’s works — that’s why he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to help get women equal pay for equal work. That’s why he cut taxes for working families and small businesses and fought to get the auto industry back on its feet. That’s how he brought our economy (back) from the brink of collapse back to creating jobs again — jobs you can raise a family on. Good jobs, right here in the United States of America."
"When it comes to the health of our families, Barack refused to listen to those folks to leave health reform for another day, another president. He didn’t care wether it was the easy thing to do politically — no, that’s not how he was raised. He did it ‘cause it’s the right thing to do. He did because he believes that here, in America, our grandparents should be able to afford their medicine; our kids should be able to see a doctor when they’re sick; and no one in this country should ever go broke because of an accident or an illness. And he believes that women are more than capable of making our own choices about our bodies and our healthcare!"
"Like so many American families, our families weren’t asking for much. They didn’t begrudge anyone else’s success or care that others had much more than they did. In fact, they admired it. They simply believed in that fundamental American promise: if you don’t start out with much, if you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, you should be able to build a decent life for yourself, and an even better one for your kids and grandkids."
11:05 p.m. Mrs. Obama forcefully closes her speech with an inspiring, uplifting, and highly patriotic tone.
11:03 p.m. Mrs. Obama emphasizes the importance of equal opportunity for every American for issues like gay marriage and equal wages.
Mom in Chief will always be her title.
10:57 p.m. Mrs. Obama stresses Mr. Obama's concern for the everyday American, and his commitment to their children.
"I love my husband more than I did four years ago, even twenty years ago."
Her husband reminds her that "change never happens all at once, but we get there."
Mrs. Obama reinforces the history of hardwork in America, and it inspires hope for future.
10:51 p.m. Speaking about her experience watching the president make decisions based on his values and upbringing.
Equal pay for women act, health care,
"Women are more than capable of making our own choices about our bodies and our healthcare"
Mentions fight to increase student aid, and interest rates down for college students.
"Issues aren't political, they're personal."
"Barack knows the American Dream because he lived it."
10:40 p.m. Mrs. Michelle Obama takes the stage and thanks military families for their sacrifices. "I've seen the very best of the American spirit."
Key Quotes:
"I loved Barack just the way he was." Mrs. Obama speaks about her and her husband's humble beginings before their political careers.
Mentions her father's blue collar job, struggle with multiple sclerosis, and his determination to see her and her brother through college.
"Like so many of American families, our family wasn't asking for much"- emphasizes support for the middle class.
10:30 p.m. An introduction video prefaces Mrs. Obama's speech. The prerecorded video features military families, Let's Move! participants, and a strong family-oriented attitude.
10 p.m. Whereas Republicans listen to Bill O’Reilly, Democrats listen to John Stewart. Whereas Glenn Beck soothes the Donkeys, Steven Colbert tickles the Elephants. Whereas Republicans can cite the support of Clint Eastwood, Democrats respond with … Kal Penn.
I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.
It’s understandable what the Democratic Party wants to do; many liberals argue that the Democratic Party is appeals to young people, something which no doubt played a big part in the nomination for Kal Penn, whose one good film is considered one of the best stoner comedies ever. But, now that we saw Harry Callahan support Mitt Romney, is Kumar really in the same league?
Eastwood has a career spanning several hundred years (his debut role was the knight in first retelling of The Canterbury Tales). His most iconic role, Dirty Harry, revolutionized action cinema by being very straightforward in its message: All criminals will constantly kill if not ruthlessly shot, and constitutional procedures and rights only protect them, assuring that they get to kill again. Why thhat was a new message in an industry that prides itself in achieving the highest body count possible within a three-hour period (looking at you, Expendables) is a bit of a mystery. Either way, Eastwood is a bona fide legend despite the fact that he is just like a lot of old actors, in that he never really mixes up his roles or style of delivery (*cough* Jack Nicholson *cough* Robert De Niro).
However, Eastwood evolved past the early days and started becoming more and more sensitive to the struggles of life, the peak of which was his masterpiece Million Dollar Baby. He even abandoned his own vision of Dirty Harry when he used Gran Torino to show all wannabe mavericks that a gun can solve not every problem. Either way, it makes sense that he would support the Republican Party: If private ownerships of firearms were banned, ninety percent of Eastwood’s career would be impossible. And it’s a career with a laundry list of awards, achievements in every aspect of filmmaking, and lots of followers.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party fights back with Kal Penn. Does anyone remember his movies other than the Harold and Kumar series? He was on House M.D., where Hugh Laurie’s superior acting skills owned him and he was literally killed off (for good reasons, to be fair). Penn was also in The Namesake, co-starring alongside Tabu and Irrfan Khan. Tabu is an award-winning Indian actress and Irfan Khan is the cop from Slumdog Millionaire, and even they couldn’t save that movie so you can’t really blame him. The only one positive here could have been that, if Penn managed to do well, “Penning” is an actual word and sounds better than “Eastwooding,” which sounds rather crass.
Agree or Disagree? Read More Here ....
9:42 p.m. Lilly Ledbetter, of equal-pay-legislation fame takes DNC stage: "what a difference 4 yrs makes."
Ledbetter: Supreme Court "stood on the side of those who shortchanged my pay... Just because I'm a woman... But w/Pres Obama, we won."
FACT: the first bill Barack Obama signed into law was the LillyLedbetter Act - equal pay for equal work.
"Maybe 23 cents doesn't sound like a lot to someone with a Swiss bank account." -- Lilly Ledbetter on equal pay for equal work
9:35 p.m. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will deliver the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, representing the first Latino, Spanish-speaking person to hold that honor. See exerts here.
9:28 p.m. Kal Penn -- of Harold &Kumar fam -- mentions OBL killing, gay marriage, says, "thank you invisible man in the chair, for that."
Kal Penn: I've got a 4 letter word for you: "vote"
9:35 PM San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will deliver the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, representing the first Latino, Spanish-speaking person to hold that honor. See exerts here.
9:28 PM Kal Penn -- of Harold &Kumar fam -- mentions OBL killing, gay marriage, says, "thank you invisible man in the chair, for that."
Kal Penn: I've got a 4 letter word for you: "vote"
9:18 PM Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is up now.
Key quotes:
"When I joined the Obama team, we faced so many problems ... a once in a generation moment in history. I said 'Barack, which problem should we tackle?' He said, 'Rahm, I was sent here to tackle all of them.'"
Rahm says Obama is a "once in a generation president."
"Each crisis was so deep, and so dangerous, any one of them would have defined a presidency."
"Because of Pres. Obama's leadership every American will have access to affordable quality healthcare."
"A change we believed in, a change we fought for, a change Obama delivered!"
Rahm Emanuel: Americans can choose between "Let Detroit go bankrupt" Romney or "not on my watch" Obama
"The President never changed his views to suit the moment or the audience, and that is also a sign of leadership."
8:45 PM The speeches are now starting to get going. Major addresses to come.
8:30 PM ICMYI Here is video from Cory Booker's rousing speech. For highlights and analysis, see here.
7:57 p.m. A musical interlude from Ledisi provides a brief respite from the major speeches. We'll catch our breath.
7:54 p.m. The video turns to a highlight reel from the Kennedy debate vs. Romney in Massachusetts in 1994, when Kennedy won handedly. Huge applause from the crowd. Romney comes off like a flip-flopper then (and now).
7:48 p.m. Democratic rising star Joe Kennedy III now takes the stage, so far he's just touting Ted Kennedy's accomplishments in Senate. Now, a tribute video to the late Senator plays before the convention.
7:47 p.m. Watch the live stream of the speeches here:
7:35 p.m. President Obama has restored America's reputation overseas. "It's up to all of us to make sure the American people understand ... what's at risk in this election." The 88-year-old says he will cast his vote for Obama and Biden, knowing that "the biggest challenges don't lead themselves to quick fixes."
7:33 p.m. Now, former President Jimmy Carter addresses the Convention via video. Speaking about his experience as president, he says that a leader needs "integrity and an understanding of why you serve." He says Obama "puts the interests of middle class Americans above all else. ... Because of President Obama ... everyday people have a chance."
7:29 p.m. Hawaii's Tulsi Gabbard, a Captain in the Army National Guard, says President Obama is the strongest defender of military families are country could have, and will protect families of troops.
7:25 p.m. Congressman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin says she's working hard to "end violence against women." She's received the biggest ovation from the crowd yet. Republicans, she says, have tried to "change the definition of rape." President Obama and Vice President Biden are working to protect violence against women for all.
7:20 p.m. Nancy Pelosi takes the floor, to represent the Democratic women of the House. Women still make just 77 cents on every dollar that men earn. She, along with other House women, tout the Lilly Ledbetter equal pay act, and say they want to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Democratic women are committing to "closing the wage gap and to moving America forward."
New York Congresswoman Maloney: With Obamacare "now women are beginning to get the preventive services they deserve, including birth control."
7:10 p.m. Reid is touting Obama's accomplishments as a leader and president. Obama has taken on the "couldn'ts" and "shouldn'ts" and he has taken on the Republican party, the party of the "wouldn'ts" and "won'ts." Republicans, Reid claims, have made it their number 1 goal to make Obama a one-term president. "I watched the Tea Party take over the Republican Party ... we shouldn't let them take over the Senate and the White House." Reid calls them "extremists" and "ideologues." "If they won't stand up to Rush Limbaugh ... what would make anyone think they would stand up for you."
7:08 p.m. In the first major speech of the evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid takes the floor, Senator from Nevada.
7:00 p.m. Welcome to Night 1 of the DNC! Virginia governor Tim Kaine kicks things off at the 7:00 pm hour by speaking to the DNC. He hammers the RNC for pushing "budget busting tax cuts" and "raising taxes on the middle class" and "turning Medicare into a voucher system. "Let's be clear, that's not fiscally responsible. That's fiscally reckless and we can't afford to try it again," he tells the crowd.
7:08 p.m. In the first major speech of the evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid takes the floor, Senator from Nevada.
