Eight years after Michelle Obama captivated the Democratic National Convention with her call to “go high” when others “go low,” the former First Lady has taken a sharper tone in the political arena. Speaking at this year’s convention in her hometown of Chicago, Obama aligned more closely with Vice President Kamala Harris’ assertive stance: “When we fight, we win.”
Confronting Trump Directly
In a marked pivot from her previous speeches, Michelle Obama directly addressed Donald Trump’s dismissive attitude towards her and former President Barack Obama. She criticized Trump’s “limited and narrow view of the world,” which she claimed made him feel threatened by successful, educated Black individuals. Her pointed remarks included a response to Trump’s repeated references to “Black jobs,” questioning who would inform him that the presidency might just be one of those jobs.
This shift in tone reflects a broader transformation within the Democratic Party, which has moved towards a more combative style of politics, especially evident after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race following intense party pressure and a challenging debate against Trump. With Biden’s endorsement, Harris swiftly rose to lead the Democratic ticket without facing significant internal opposition.
Jim Messina, manager of Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, hinted before the speech that Michelle Obama would adopt this new approach to underscore the critical nature of the Harris-Trump matchup. This strategic shift aims to galvanize Democratic supporters by highlighting the stark contrasts between the candidates and the high stakes of the election.
If elected, Harris would make history as the first woman and first woman of color to hold the presidency, a milestone Michelle Obama emphasized would likely provoke continued attacks on Harris’ race and gender. Obama denounced these tactics as “ugly, misogynistic, racist lies,” accusing Trump of substituting meaningful dialogue with divisive rhetoric.
Democratic Response to Republican Attacks
Representative Ayanna Pressley, sharing her perspective on balancing moral high ground with political combativeness, remarked, “I think we still go high. Still, we’re not afraid to mix it up.” This sentiment reflects the party’s strategy to maintain an aspirational policy agenda while effectively countering Republican assaults.
In addition to criticizing Trump, Michelle Obama praised Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, urging Democrats to intensify their efforts leading up to the November 5 election. She called on supporters to persevere through tough times: “If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves up, throw water on our faces, and do something!”
Senator Amy Klobuchar echoed the sentiment that Obama plays a pivotal role in motivating Democrats, particularly when it comes to voter turnout. “When she tells people to go out and vote,” Klobuchar noted, “they listen.”
At the outset of her speech, Obama connected Harris’ historical bid to her husband’s transformative 2008 campaign, infused with the slogans of “hope and change.” She ended her address with a powerful call to action, invoking the “contagious power of hope” and its resurgence across the country, setting the tone for a campaign charged with optimism and the pursuit of victory.
Featured image credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
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