Amid enthusiastic chants of “Yes, she can!”, former President Barack Obama made a powerful return to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in his political career while also laying into his successor, Donald Trump. The night was electric as Obama addressed delegates in his hometown of Chicago, delivering a closing speech that emphasized the need for change and strongly endorsed Kamala Harris as the future President of the United States.
Standing before a packed arena, Obama offered a scathing critique of Trump, who succeeded him in the White House in 2017. “We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos,” Obama declared.
“We’ve seen that movie before, and we all know the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for President Kamala Harris.”
The speech was a powerful reminder of Obama’s influence and the excitement that surrounded his own rise to prominence. It was a full circle moment, occurring exactly 20 years after his breakout address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, where he first captured national attention. That summer, Kamala Harris was actively supporting Obama’s Senate campaign in Illinois, a precursor to her endorsement of him over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential primary, which famously birthed the slogan “Yes, we can!”
When Obama took the stage in Chicago just after 10 p.m. ET, he was greeted by an eruption of cheers and the now-iconic chant. As he embraced his wife Michelle, he deviated from his prepared remarks to ad-lib a passionate “Yes, she can!” The crowd quickly echoed back, creating a vibrant and hopeful atmosphere.
The evening carried symbolic weight for many Democrats, who had previously feared that Obama’s election might be a singular historic event. Now, with Trump potentially representing the last vestiges of a disintegrating order, there’s a renewed sense of possibility. Obama, now 63, reflected on his journey with humor and hope, reminiscing about his convention debut and the optimistic vision it represented. “I’m feeling hopeful because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible,” he said.
He praised Kamala Harris for her lifelong commitment to public service and her dedication to creating opportunities for others. “We have the chance to elect someone who’s spent her whole life trying to give people the same chances America gave her,” Obama said. “Someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you: the next President of the United States, Kamala Harris.”
The former president also took a moment to honor outgoing President Joe Biden, who had delivered his own valedictory address the previous night. “History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Obama remarked. “I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend.”
Despite the celebratory mood, Obama emphasized the competitive nature of the race for the White House. He critiqued Trump’s approach, contrasting it with the vision Harris represents. Obama highlighted Trump’s fixation on grievances and conspiracy theories, suggesting that his presidency has been marked by a relentless focus on divisive tactics. “It’s like living next to a neighbor who won’t stop running a leaf blower outside your window,” Obama said. “From a neighbor, that’s exhausting. From a president, it’s just dangerous.”
As the crowd reacted, Obama reminded them of the power of their vote, urging, “Do not boo. Vote!” He condemned Trump’s attempts to deepen national divisions, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress. Obama concluded by warning against Trump’s attempts to pit Americans against one another, highlighting how the former president’s approach represents an outdated and harmful strategy.
The speech was a potent reminder of the stakes in the upcoming election and the imperative for change, as Obama and the Democratic Party rally behind Kamala Harris in their quest for a more hopeful future.
