Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (2024)

Table of Contents
Here's what you need to know Harris set to go after Trump on reproductive rights in Milwaukee, according to speech excerpts Lil Jon performs for Georgia as DNC roll call's song list shows country's cultural range Delegates are now conducting a ceremonial roll call Arizona delegates for Kamala Harris issue demand for Israeli arms embargo North Carolina governor says he has that "2008 feeling," the last time his state voted blue for president Obama speech will starkly lay out the stakes in the election, adviser says Michael Cohen is on the floor at the DNC "He has no empathy, no morals," former Trump press secretary says slamming her ex-boss Trump points to Biden's 2021 visit to Howell when asked about White supremacists marching there in July Minnesota roll call to highlight Walz's background as "Coach" Analysis: A throwback to the first time Obama spoke at a Democratic convention Michigan Gov. Whitmer says Harris has shown "she can stand on her own two feet" Content creator Nabela Noor talks about her struggles with infertility and calls for access to family planning Kamala Harris’ stepson will introduce Doug Emhoff and highlight their “blended family” Former Trump voter Kyle Sweetser says he’s voting for Harris because "she’ll make us proud to be American again" NOW: Common performs at the DNC JFK's grandson: "Once again, the torch has been passed to a new generation" Grandson of Jimmy Carter says Harris "carries my grandfather's legacy" NOW: Patti LaBelle takes the stage at DNC NOW: Second night of Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago Which Obama argument will resonate louder tonight? Michelle's, the Harris campaign believes Trump, who promoted birther lies about Obama, praises the former president ahead of his DNC speech Doug Emhoff’s hand-picked walkout song tonight holds special meaning for Joe Biden "Kamala is a joyful warrior": Read excerpts from second gentleman Doug Emhoff's DNC speech Republican Geoff Duncan describes why he decided to speak at the DNC DNC opening night draws 20 million television viewers, eclipsing RNC opener Sanders to address corporate greed and big money in politics at DNC Patti LaBelle and Common are performing sound checks ahead of DNC night 2 Locations cleared after threats made to venues in downtown Chicago Alsobrooks to speak at DNC as she seeks to become Maryland’s first Black senator Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan was targeted by hackers, sources say Rep. Phillips says he's been "welcomed back at the popular kids' table" after being largely alienated by party Trump says he's open to giving RFK Jr. a role in his administration if he drops out and endorses him Vance tries to rally union workers and attacks Walz on IVF treatment remarks As the DNC unfolds in Chicago tonight, Harris will campaign in Wisconsin, underscoring the condensed campaign Harris-Walz ticket has energized voters in Virginia, former vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine says 13 people arrested during DNC-related protests on Monday, Chicago police department official says A rally during the convention? It’s nothing new See what's in Harris' proposed tax plan Harris' health care platform builds on Biden's efforts to reduce prescription drug prices Tuesday's roll call to begin with Biden's home state and end with Harris' Analysis: Harris says she wants to tackle greedflation. Here's the truth behind her claims Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling are among the DNC hosts Doug Emhoff plans to describe Harris as the anchor of their family and showcase her non-political side Obama's convention balancing act: Ushering in a transition to Kamala Harris Biden "shifted the tide" of the election by passing the torch to Harris, "Scandal" actor Tony Goldwyn says GOP congressman downplays criticism from Harris campaign about site of Trump's Michigan rally Pro-Palestinian protest group continues push for Palestinian American main stage speaker at DNC Trump bashes Biden's DNC speech Analysis: Obama will signal that Harris is the vessel of change the country needs Israel's war in Gaza is the most fraught US foreign policy issue. Here's what Harris has said about it Vance attacks Harris' net-zero energy policies in Wall Street Journal op-ed Ex-Trump press secretary to offer behind-the-scenes view of former president in DNC address DNC bus delays on Monday caused by protest activity and 2 separate shuttle bus incidents, Secret Servicesays What to expect tonight at the DNC: A celebratory roll call vote, the second gentleman and the Obamas Analysis: Who exactly are Democrats talking to? These are the Republicans who will speak at the Democratic convention Walz will visit DNC Women's Caucus and Youth Council meetings DNC organizers move up Tuesday start time after late Monday night Latino civil rights organization chief says Harris-Walz campaign gaining traction with low-propensity voters Trump has attacked Harris on her immigration record. Here's her position Analysis: Trump promises to make prices plunge again. That’s a dangerous proposal Harris has rolled out an economic agenda. Here's what it is Trump says he would consider giving Elon Musk a role in his possible administration Several Republicans will take center stage at the Democratic National Convention Analysis: Where Harris has — and hasn't — rebuilt the Democratic coalition Additional security fencing going up outside DNC Obama will deliver a "forceful affirmation" for Harris at the DNC, adviser says Harris campaign says record number of volunteers have joined in key swing state of Wisconsin Harris begins standard transition planning Here are some of the celebrities expected to attend the DNC this week Obamas will stress that Harris is ready for the job – and that the stakes could not be higher Trump heads to battleground Michigan for first time since Harris became Democratic nominee Harris and Walz will attend Milwaukee campaign rally tonight in same arena where RNC was held Here's who is expected to make speeches at the DNC this week DNC roll call will start with Delaware and end with California, symbolizing the shift from Biden to Harris 6 key takeaways from the first night of the DNC Analysis: "I gave my best to you," Biden tells America as he passes the torch to Harris These are the nightly themes of the Democratic National Convention Project 2025 will be a daily feature of the DNC. Here's what it is References
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Updated 8:47 PM EDT, Tue August 20, 2024

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Harris set to go after Trump on reproductive rights in Milwaukee, according to speech excerpts

From CNN's Betsy Klein

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to go after recent remarks from former President Donald Trump on reproductive rights during her Milwaukee rally Tuesday night, according to excerpts of prepared remarks.

Harris will continue, “Well, we will make sure he does face the consequence at the ballot box this November.”

Lil Jon performs for Georgia as DNC roll call's song list shows country's cultural range

From CNN's Michael Williams
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (8)

LilJonperforms during the roll call on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, August 20.

The song choices during the Democratic National Convention’s roll call exemplified the broad cultural range of the country.

For the roll call of each state, district or territory, DJ Cassidy played a song representative of each delegation.

Alabama got Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” Florida got “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty, a native of the state. California got “The Next Episode,” Dr. Dre’s West Coast classic featuring Snoop Dogg.

The song choice for Georgia represented the liveliest moment of the evening, as Atlanta’s Lil Jon belted his classics, “Get Low” and “Turn Down for What.”

Later, actors Wendell Pierce, Sean Astin and Eva Longoria presented votes for Louisiana, Indiana, and Texas respectively. Astin who starred in the film “Rudy” about football at the University of Notre Dame, introduced the votes for for Indiana. Pierce, a native of New Orleans, introduced the votes for Louisiana. And Longoria, who is from Corpus Christi, introduced speakers to read the votes for Texas.

Additionally, director Spike Lee, who hails from Brooklyn, stood with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the reading of their votes.

You can watch the roll call that is underway now in the video player above this page.

Delegates are now conducting a ceremonial roll call

From CNN's MJ Lee
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (9)

Attendees hold up signs on the second night of the DNC on Tuesday, August 20, in Chicago.

Delegates are conducting a ceremonial roll call at the Democratic National Convention to celebrate Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. You can watch the moment in the video player above this page.

The 57 delegations will deliver remarks and cast ceremonial votes — notably, the first roll call will begin with President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware. The last roll calls will come from California and Minnesota, the respective home states of Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz.

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons will begin the role call for the first state. Minnesota’s delegation will be represented by a former student who used to call Walz by the nickname Harris and Democrats around the country have embraced wholeheartedly: “Coach.”

Here are some other things to watch for:

  • North Carolina state party chair Anderson Clayton, the youngest state party chair in the country, will lead her state’s roll call
  • Texas will feature a personal abortion story
  • Two influencers will participate in the roll call for their states:Tefi Pessoa for Florida and Chante Reddest for South Dakota
  • Govs. Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania), Wes Moore (Maryland), Gavin Newsom (California), Janet Mills (Maine), Josh Green (Hawaii) and GretchenWhitmer (Michigan) will all make appearances

More context: The vice president already became the party’s official nominee for president earlier this month after receiving a majority of votes viaa virtual roll call.

There was also no in-person roll call four years ago for then-presumptive nominee Joe Biden because the pandemic forced that year’s convention to be largely virtual.

Delegates also held a ceremonial vote for Walz on Monday of the convention.

CNN’s Aaron Pellish contributed reporting to this post.

Arizona delegates for Kamala Harris issue demand for Israeli arms embargo

From CNN’s Gregory Krieg and Dianne Gallagher

Hundreds of Arizona Democrats, includingnearlya dozen convention delegates pledged to Vice President Kamala Harris, have signeda letter calling for the US to impose an arms embargo on Israel until a “permanent ceasefire” is agreed in Gaza.

The document is being circulated both in Arizona, a critical 2024 battleground state, and at the DNC in Chicago. It had more than 325 signatures by late Tuesday, including current and former state lawmakers, local leaders, party officials, and Palestinian and Jewish activists.

Democrats have unified behind Harris following Biden’s decision to end his campaign, but Israel’s continuing war in Gaza,which started in response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023,remains a point of discord within the party as protests have turned violent and at times antisemitic.There have been protests outside the DNC perimeter since the convention began on Monday, but the issue was rarely mentioned onstage.

Ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in the Middle East this week, though months of efforts by the Biden administration have failed to secure a pause in fighting Gaza or the return of Israeli hostages still held in the enclave.In Chicago, the Uncommitted National Movement, which sprung out of the efforts in Michigan to corral a protest vote, has been lobbying for a primetime speaking slot. But that request, along with a similar demand for a halt on deadly weapons to Israel, have been met with stiff resistance from party officials.

North Carolina governor says he has that "2008 feeling," the last time his state voted blue for president

From CNN's Michael Williams

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says he is confident North Carolina is in play for Democrats this year.

“I have that 2008 feeling,” Cooper told CNN, referencing the last time his state went for the Democrats in a presidential election.

Cooper added that there were 12,000 volunteers the first couple of weeks after Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, 90% of whom were first-time volunteers.

“There is real excitement on the ground about this election,” Cooper said.

Obama speech will starkly lay out the stakes in the election, adviser says

From CNN's Jeff Zeleny

Twenty years after Barack Obama addressed the Democratic convention in Boston in a keynote speech that sparked his ascent in the party, he will be delivering an address tonight that he has told advisers is far more important to the country.

For months, Obama has been worried about the sustained rise of Donald Trump. His fingerprints are on President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside.

Tonight, Obama will praise Biden, an adviser said, but spend the lion’s share of his address to praise Harris, talking about their friendship of two decades, and implore Democrats and independent voters to join him in supporting her candidacy.

Michael Cohen is on the floor at the DNC

From CNN's Donald Judd and MJ Lee
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (10)

President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen is seen on Tuesday, August 20, during the DNC in Chicago.

Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen is on the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

It’s a remarkable turn of events for Trump’s former fixer, who’s since emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of the former Republican president.

Much of Tuesday night’s speaking program has been slotted for former Republicans who’ve thrown their support behind Kamala Harris’ campaign.

Cohen did not respond to questions on whether he’s slotted to speak tonight.

"He has no empathy, no morals," former Trump press secretary says slamming her ex-boss

From CNN's Jack Forrest
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (11)

Stephanie Grisham speaks on the second night of the DNC in Chicago, on Tuesday, August 20.

Stephanie Grisham, a former White House press secretary under Donald Trump, told the Democratic National Convention tonight that the former president has no empathy.

Grisham worked for more than five years in the Trump administration as East Wing communications director, White House press secretary and chief of staff to Melania Trump. She has previously said she is “terrified” of a second Trump term and said she didn’t vote for the former president in 2020 even as she worked for the former first lady.

She also recalled how she resigned following a conversation she had with the former first lady during the January 6 insurrection.

“I asked Melania if we could at least Tweet that while peaceful protest is the right of every American, there’s no place for lawlessness or violence. She replied with one word: ‘No.’”

Grisham said that now she is on the stage “advocating for a Democrat and that’s because I love my country more than my party. Kamala Harris tells the truth, she respects the American people and she has my vote.”

Speaking with CNN after her remarks, Grisham described her experience on the DNC stage as “surreal” and added she never imagined she would be addressing the convention during her time as one of Trump’s top messengers.

This post has been updated with tonight’s remarks from Grisham.

CNN’s Michael Williams contributed reporting to this post.

Trump points to Biden's 2021 visit to Howell when asked about White supremacists marching there in July

From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (12)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, August 20, in Howell, Michigan.

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday pointed to President Joe Biden’s visit to Howell, Michigan, in 2021 when asked by a reporter about the Harris campaign criticizing Trump campaigning in Howell a month after White supremacists marched through the city’s downtown.

“Who was here in 2021?” Trump said when asked about the criticism from the Harris campaign.

“Joe Biden,” the reporter responded.

“Thank you,” Trump said after giving a speech focused on crime at a small campaign event at a sheriff’s office in Howell.

The Harris campaign blasted Trump ahead of his visit to the city and pointed to a video reported on by local news outlets that shows demonstrators in Howell chanting, “We love Hitler. We love Trump” in July.

Minnesota roll call to highlight Walz's background as "Coach"

From CNN's Aaron Pellish

Minnesota’s delegation at tonight’s roll call vote will be represented by a former student who used to call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz by the nickname Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats around the country have embraced wholeheartedly: “Coach.”

Hans Storvick, a former student of Walz in Mankato, Minnesota, who ran on the middle school track team Walz coached, will speak on behalf of the Minnesota delegation at the Democratic National Convention’s roll call vote in Chicago on Tuesday, a campaign official tells CNN.

Storvick’s older brother, Kris, also played on the high school football team Walz coached. He’s expected to speak about the impact Walz had on him and his brother, who passed away recently.

Also speaking on behalf of the Minnesota delegation will be NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle, who played eleven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, the campaign official said.

Storvick and Randle’s place in the convention proceedings are part of the Harris campaign’s effort to brand the Minnesota governor as “Coach Walz,” an effort that has caught on with supporters at her campaign events. When Walz or Harris will reference his background coaching football, supporters will regularly chant the word “Coach,” often interrupting the remarks.

Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are also expected to speak on behalf of the Minnesota delegation, the official said.

They’ll be joined virtually by Minnesotans participating in the roll call virtually from US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the home stadium of the Minnesota Vikings.

Analysis: A throwback to the first time Obama spoke at a Democratic convention

From CNN's Zachary B. Wolf

Democrats can count on former President Barack Obama to bring them to their feet when he addresses the DNC in Chicago, his political hometown, on Tuesday night, because he has done it so many times before. Obama delivered convention speeches twice as a presidential candidate and twice as a former president.

But it’s worth remembering the first time Obama addressed fellow Democrats on the national stage, 20 years ago in Boston, when despite being a state senator from Illinois, he gave the keynote address – and one of the great modern convention speeches.

The reason everyone knows his name today, arguably, is because of his argument for a politics of hope that night, condensed into 17 eloquent minutes. The speech gave him a national profile. The Senate seat he won that November gave him a platform for a presidential campaign. And within four years, the “skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him too” was on his way to the White House as the nation’s first Black president.

But while the message of hope and unity still inspires, the intervening two decades have proven to be a fertile time for cynicism – as misinformation has clouded the country’s collective reality and faith in American institutions and democracy itself have cratered.

When Obama speaks tonight, he’ll be pushing the candidacy of another person whose name is mangled by her political opponents and, for the second time, a candidate who would be the first woman to sit in the Oval Office. But he will not be able to say that he successfully led Americans “out of this long political darkness.”

Michigan Gov. Whitmer says Harris has shown "she can stand on her own two feet"

From CNN's Michael Williams

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told CNN Vice President Kamala Harris has shown “she can stand on her own two feet” when asked how some of her policies might diverge from President Joe Biden’s.

Whitmer’s comments came after she was asked on the convention floor whether Harris had divergent opinions from Biden, especially on issues like the Israel/Gaza war.

“I think that Vice President Harris has shown that she can stand on her own two feet, and she is the type of leader we need in Washington, DC: who sees every person, who cares about making sure that every one of us has a path,” Whitmer said.

Content creator Nabela Noor talks about her struggles with infertility and calls for access to family planning

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Content creator Nabela Noor talked about her fertility struggles and advocated for IVF treatment and reproductive freedom at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Noor creates beauty and lifestyle content. She describes herself on YouTube as a “Bangladeshi-American entrepreneur, author and designer” and shares her experience as a mom of two.

She also has talked on her platform about fertility struggles and having miscarriages.

Noor got pregnant again just a few weeks before her egg retrieval, but she said she knows “this is not everyone’s ending.”

“For many women, IVF is the only choice. That choice and more is at stake in November. The freedom to plan your family. The hope of having a family at all,” Noor said, adding that she is standing with everyone fighting for reproductive rights because everyone’s daughters — including hers — “deserve every option.”

CNN reported earlier this week that more than 200 contentcreatorshave been credentialed for the Chicago convention, with their own reserved platform space on the convention floor.

This post has been updated with remarks from Nabela Noor.

Kamala Harris’ stepson will introduce Doug Emhoff and highlight their “blended family”

From CNN's MJ Lee and Donald Judd

Vice President Kamala Harris’ stepson Cole Emhoff will take the stage at the United Center tonight to introduce his father, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, CNN has learned, with the second night of the Democratic National Convention poised to highlight what Harris often describes as her “blended family.”

And in a recorded video message that will play before Doug Emhoff’s speech, Cole Emhoff will discuss how his parents – Doug and Kerstin Emhoff – split when he was in middle school and what a challenging time that was.

Sitting in the VIP box tonight will be Emhoff’s first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, according to a source. Kerstin Emhoff has publicly supported Harris and her campaign.

Former Trump voter Kyle Sweetser says he’s voting for Harris because "she’ll make us proud to be American again"

From CNN's Chelsea Bailey

Alabama native Kyle Sweetser says he was a lifelong Republican voter who cast a ballot for former President Donald Trump three times. But this election, Sweetser says he’s had a change of heart.

“I believe our leaders should bring out the best in us, not the worst, that’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris,” he added.

“I’m voting for KamalaHarris because she’ll make usproud to be American again,” he said.

Sweetser’s speech follows a pattern at this year’s Democratic National Convention of highlighting Republican voters and former MAGA activists who have turned away from the former president and decided to cast their ballot for the Harris-Walz ticket.

This post has been updated with remarks from Kyle Sweetser.

NOW: Common performs at the DNC

From CNN staff
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (13)

Common performs on stage on Tuesday, August 20, during the DNC in Chicago

Grammy award winning artist and activist Common is performing on the second night of the DNC.

Watch his performance live in the player above.

JFK's grandson: "Once again, the torch has been passed to a new generation"

From CNN's Michael Williams
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (14)

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20.

Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of President John F. Kennedy, evoked the generational turnover that his grandfather’s presidency represented while addressing the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night.

Grandson of Jimmy Carter says Harris "carries my grandfather's legacy"

From CNN's Tori B. Powell
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (15)

Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, speaks during the second night of the DNC in Chicago, on Tuesday, August20.

Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, spoke of his grandfather’s legacy during a speech at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night in Chicago.

Carter said his grandfather “can’t wait to vote for Kamala Harris.”

He went on to applaud Harris’ record, saying that she “knows what is right and she fights for it.”

“She understands that leadership is about service, not selfishness. That you can show strength and decency. And that you can get a whole lot more done with a smile than with a scowl” Carter said.

This post has been updated with additional remarks from Jason Carter.

NOW: Patti LaBelle takes the stage at DNC

From CNN staff
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (16)

Patti LaBelle on stage on the second night of the DNC on Tuesday, August 20, in Chicago

Grammy-award winning R&B singer Patti LaBelle is singing the “In Memorial” portion of the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Watch the performance live in the video player above and follow along for analysis here.

NOW: Second night of Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago

From CNN staff
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (17)

Stagehands vacuum the stage inside the United Center before the start of day two of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, August 20.

The second night of the Democratic National Convention is now underway in Chicago.

Tuesday evening’s programming will feature remarks from former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, as well as other key Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

The theme of the night is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future.”

The evening will also feature some Republicans as Democrats seek to demonstrate a capacity to reach across the aisle: Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and others.

Which Obama argument will resonate louder tonight? Michelle's, the Harris campaign believes

From CNN's Jeff Zeleny in Chicago

Former first lady Michelle Obama would love to step away from politics, but will argue tonight that the presidential race is too important to stay on the sidelines, urging Americans to stop Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

While former President Barack Obama and his wife will deliver back-to-back addresses tonight, it is the message from the former first lady that advisers to the Harris campaign believe could be a more powerful message outside the convention hall.

It’s a rare public appearance – and an even rarer primetime address – about the stakesof the election. She intends to make an impassioned case for Kamala Harris, as well as one against Trump.

An adviser tells CNN that she will deliver an updated take of her well-known 2016 speech when she told Democratic delegates: “When they go low, we go high.”

The former president will focus on why he believes Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are “precisely the leaders the country needs right now,” as he seeks to lay out the path for what Democrats need to do over the next 10 weeks.

He will cast this as an “all-hands-on-deck moment” for the Democratic Party, an adviser said, in his speech that is expected to be one of many between now and November.

Trump, who promoted birther lies about Obama, praises the former president ahead of his DNC speech

From CNN's Kristen Holmes

Donald Trump, who promoted false “birther” conspiracies about Barack Obama, praised him today ahead of the former president’s DNC address tonight.

Asked about Obama’s remarks at the 2020 convention, during which he said Trump “never grew into the job as president,” Trump told CNN he liked and respected Obama.

Trump’s comments are a bizarre turnaround. For years, Trump repeated lies about Obama’s birth and frequently questioned his eligibility to be president.

In recent weeks, Trump has repeated similar false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris, who like Obama is biracial.

Doug Emhoff’s hand-picked walkout song tonight holds special meaning for Joe Biden

From CNN's MJ Lee and Donald Judd

When Doug Emhoff takes the stage at the United Center Tuesday night for his speech at the Democratic National Convention, the audience in the arena will hear one of the second gentleman’s favorite songs: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals.

Emhoff himself chose to walk out to that tune, sources said, as he prepares to deliver what he and his wife’s presidential campaign fully recognize will be the biggest speech of his career yet.

The song “You Get What You Give” — an optimistic 90s anthem about the value of persisting even as “this whole damn world could fall apart” — happens to hold special meaning for President Joe Biden, who formally passed the proverbial torch to his vice presidenton the opening night of the convention.In his 2017 memoir, “Promise Me, Dad,” the president details how his late son, Beau Biden, made him listen to “You Get What You Give” before chemotherapy sessions while being treated for the brain cancer that would ultimately take his life.

“Even though Beau never stopped fighting and his will to live was stronger than most – I think he knew that this day might come,” Biden wrote. “In retrospect, I think Beau played that song during our mornings together—not for him, but for me. To remember to not give up or let sadness consume me, consume us.”

The band broke up in 1999, but it reunited to perform the song for Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

"Kamala is a joyful warrior": Read excerpts from second gentleman Doug Emhoff's DNC speech

From CNN's MJ Lee in Chicago

Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, will describe his wife as a “joyful warrior” who “rises to the occasion.”

Emhoff will also say that the 2024 election is a moment that calls for someone to rise to the occasion – “She’s ready to lead, she brings both joy and toughness to this task, and she will be a great presidentwho we will all be proud of.”

Republican Geoff Duncan describes why he decided to speak at the DNC

From CNN's Meridith Edwards, Mags Dawson, Paige Levin and Brian Rokus

Georgia’s former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican, said that he is at the Democratic National Convention “as an American.”

Duncan, a CNN contributor, went on to call former President Trump “a fraud.”

Hear more of what he had to say here.

DNC opening night draws 20 million television viewers, eclipsing RNC opener

From CNN's Liam Reilly

More than 20 million viewers watched the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, eclipsing the 18.1 million who watched the first night of the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee.

The opening night at the DNC, which featured speeches from Hillary Clinton, first lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden, drew an average of 20.03 million viewers from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET across 13 television networks, Nielsen reported. Biden’s speech, which began just before 11:30 p.m. ET, drew about 19.1 million viewers.

Among those who watched Monday night,MSNBC led with 4.6 million viewers, followed by CNN with 3.4 million, ABC with 2.8 million, Fox News with 2.5 million, CBS with 2.1 million and NBC with 1.9 million. MSNBC touted the viewership as the network’s most-watched first night of a DNC ever. CNN, meanwhile, drew the largest television audience in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic with 902,000 viewers.

Monday’s DNC viewership also surpassed the first night of the party’s 2020 convention, when 19.7 million viewers tuned in, but it fell below 2016 when 26 million viewers watched.

Sanders to address corporate greed and big money in politics at DNC

From CNN's Eva McKend

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will lean into the importance of centering a progressive economic agenda that uplifts the working class in his remarks tonight at the Democratic National Convention.

The progressive independent, who caucuses with Democrats, will go on to call for Americans to summon the will to take on the“oligarchs” to ensure the working class has access to basic necessities.

“Bottom-line: We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the greed of the billionaire class,” according to Sanders, who fell short in his two runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020.

The 82-year-old will also call for going after price gougers, which has been heavily derided by Republicans, but is included in Vice President Kamala Harris’ economic policy agenda.

Patti LaBelle and Common are performing sound checks ahead of DNC night 2

From CNN's Donald Judd

Here in Chicago, former President Barack Obama and and first lady Michelle Obama are set to take the stage tonight for remarks to the Democratic National Convention — but they’re not the only marquee names expected to take the stage at the United Center when the convention gavels in on Tuesday.

Grammy award-winning singer Patti LaBelle, who’s been dubbed “the Godmother of Soul,” was seen rehearsing along with her background singers Tuesday for an “In Memoriam” segment scheduled for Tuesday’s program.

Rapper Common was seen rehearsing his song “Fortunate,” featuring musician Pete Rock later in the afternoon.

Country music singers Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell performed during Monday’s session of the DNC, though significant delays throughout the night forced organizers to scrap a scheduled performance from James Taylor later in the evening.

Read more.

Locations cleared after threats made to venues in downtown Chicago

From CNN's Whitney Wild

Authorities did not find any credible threat to the various locations that received threatening messages earlier Tuesday afternoon in downtown Chicago, near where the Democratic National Convention is taking place.

CNN previously reported the Secret Service was aware of threats made to “various locations” in downtown Chicago.

Alsobrooks to speak at DNC as she seeks to become Maryland’s first Black senator

From CNN's Simone Pathe
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (18)

Angela Alsobrooks gives remarks at an event for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at Prince George’s Community College on August 15, in Largo, Maryland.

Kamala Harris isn’t the only Black woman trying to make history this year.Angela Alsobrooks, who will take the stage in Chicago on Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, is trying to become the first Black person Maryland sends to the US Senate.

And though neither puts their history-making potential at the forefront of their public message, they’re riding a wave of Democratic enthusiasm about what’s possible in November.

Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County executive, is vying to become only the third Black woman elected to the Senate, along with Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester. (The one Black woman currently serving — California’s Laphonza Butler — was appointed andisn’t runningto stay beyond this year.)

Alsobrooks is up against Republican Larry Hogan, a popular former two-term governor, whoseentrance into the race in Februaryraised the stakes for Democrats – who were already on defense across the country – to hold retiring Sen. Ben Cardin’s seat.With Republicans poised to flip a Senate seat in West Virginia, the party only needs to pick up one more seat or win the White House to secure the majority.

Read more about Alsobrooks’ race and appearance in Chicago here.

Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan was targeted by hackers, sources say

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Evan Perez and Sean Lyngaas
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (19)

Lindsey Halligan leaves the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 1, 2022.

One of Donald Trump’s attorneys was targeted in a hacking attempt, three sources familiar with the matter tell CNN, marking a potentially serious new development as US intelligence agencies confirmedMonday that they haveconcludedIran is behind a recent hackinto the former president’s 2024 campaign.

One source told CNN that Lindsey Halligan was targeted as part of the Iranian hacking effort, though thetiming of the attempt and theextent of any breach of her devices or accounts remains unclear as the FBI continues to conduct a high-stakes investigation months out from the presidential election.

CNN haspreviously reportedthat suspected Iranian hackers breached the personal email account of longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, and then used his email account to access the account of a senior campaign official.

Halligan has been on Trump’s legal team for several years and initially worked closely on the classified documents case. She recently attended the Republican convention and sat in the front row of the VIP box on the final night when Trump delivered his speech.

While she is not as public-facing as other attorneys, Halligan is seen internally as a “Trump whisperer,” one of her former colleagues told CNN. Trump trusts her and often wanted her at the table for big moments. Others would often turn to her to communicate messages back to him.

Catch up on the full story here.

Rep. Phillips says he's been "welcomed back at the popular kids' table" after being largely alienated by party

From CNN's Owen Dahlkamp
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (20)

Rep. Dean Phillips talks on the floor before the Democratic National Convention on August 19, in Chicago.

During his failed primary challenge against President Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips was largely outcast by the Democratic Party establishment.

But now, as Democrats gather at the party’s convention in Chicago, Phillips said he has been “welcomed back at the popular kids’ table.”

When helaunched his presidential bid, Phillips said he was worried that Biden would lose in a rematch with former President Donald Trump, citing the president’s age. He called on the 81-year-old incumbent to pass the torch. Although he did not originally plan to attend the DNC, Phillips said he decided to do so last minute, telling CNN “it was a great decision.”

The Minnesota Democrat was not critical of the party for casting him aside. Instead, his experience at the DNC has, as Phillips said, “really restored my faith that there still is capacity for dissent and to be welcomed back.”

“Thereisnopoliticalrewardfordemonstratingcourage,” he said.

Trump says he's open to giving RFK Jr. a role in his administration if he drops out and endorses him

From CNN's Eric Bradner
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (21)

Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Donald Trump said Tuesday he would be open to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate drops out of the 2024 race and endorses the former president.

Trump’s comments came after Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said on a podcast posted Tuesday that the Kennedy campaign is considering dropping out of the race and endorsing Trump. She described the decision as one intended to reduce “the risk” that Vice President Kamala Harris defeats Trump.

Trump said he would “love that endorsem*nt, because I’ve always liked” Kennedy Jr.

Asked if he would consider appointing Kennedy Jr. to a role in his administration if he wins in November, Trump said he “probably would.”

“I like him a lot. I respect him a lot,” Trump said. “I probably would, if something like that would happen. He’s a very different kind of a guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsem*nt, certainly.”

The former president also downplayed the potential for backlash from Republicans for appointing Kennedy Jr., who has taken a number of progressive positions.

“I like smart people, and Republicans like me,” Trump said.

In the interview, Trump acknowledged that the state of the 2024 race had changed since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race last month and Harris emerged as the Democratic nominee.

However, Trump insisted that his strategy and message have not changed.

“I’m leading in the polls, but not by as much,” he said. “But regardless of that, my whole thing doesn’t change. We don’t want crime. We want to have a strong military. We’ve got to stop drugs from coming in. We have to stop people from pouring into our country through an open border.”

Read more about Trump’s comments on RFK Jr.

Watch here:

Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (22)

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This post has been updated with more comments from Trump.

Vance tries to rally union workers and attacks Walz on IVF treatment remarks

From CNN's From Kit Maher
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (23)

Ohio Sen.JDVance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, speaks during an event at Kenosha City Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 20.

The Trump campaign is the one who is actually for the American worker, Ohio Sen. JD Vance said in a message to the president of the United Auto Workers union and any other member of the labor movement.

Vance’s comments come after Shawn Fain, the UAW president, spoke last night at the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, wearing a T-shirt that said “Trump is a scab.”

Earlier Tuesday, Vance said it’s “bizarre” for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, to lie about using IVF to start a family, after his wife Gwen issued a statement clarifying that she did not use in vitro fertilization to conceive, but a different fertility treatment, intrauterine insemination.

The Republican ticket is holding events in battleground states during the DNC. While Vance spoke in Wisconsin, Trump spoke on crime and justice in Howell, Michigan on Tuesday.

As the DNC unfolds in Chicago tonight, Harris will campaign in Wisconsin, underscoring the condensed campaign

From CNN's Eva McKend
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (24)

Vice PresidentKamalaHarrisspeaks on stage during day one of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, in Chicago, on August 19.

When Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage in the Milwaukee region a mere month ago — the first rally of her presidential campaign — she told fired-up Wisconsinites the path to the White House runs through their state.

Tonight, Harris will hold her third campaign rally in Wisconsin in four weeks at the same site where Republicans held their convention earlier this summer.

The Harris campaign’s decision to launch the evening rally that will compete with primetime programming during their own convention in Chicago illustrates the pressure they face to get their message out in the states that could decide the election under a dramatically truncated timeline.

Their goal is to expand the aperture of the convention beyond a blue city in a solidly blue state and use it as a time to continue to talk to battleground voters. Remember that in 2020, in Wisconsin, President Joe Biden only narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump by about 20,000 votes.

Harris-Walz ticket has energized voters in Virginia, former vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine says

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury

Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic 2016 vice president nominee, says he feels “very good” about the Harris-Walz ticket.

“For us to win in November, we need energy and we need unity,” Kaine told CNN on Tuesday.

While the Democrats were unified under President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, the energy was not there, Kaine said. In the aftermath of the June debate, unity was lacking as well, Kaine noted. He added that with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket there is now a surge of energy and the party has unified again.

Kaine added that in his state of Virginia, where he has been campaigning for Harris, he’s seeing all over the commonwealth, “reddest Appalachia, bluest Northern Virginia — every party of the commonwealth, surge of volunteerism, crowds at events. The energy, even before I was seeing any polling, I was like, I know what this means and I feel very very good about our chances in Virginia and nationally now.”

13 people arrested during DNC-related protests on Monday, Chicago police department official says

From CNN staff
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (25)

Riot police officers try to hold a demonstrator during the rally "March on the DNC" on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) inChicago, on August 19.

Thirteen people were arrested during protests related to the Democratic National Convention on Monday, according to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling.

Ten of those arrests stemmed from a small group thatbreacheda portion of the northern security perimeter fence at the United Center in Chicago on Monday afternoon, he said.

The superintendent said charges ranged from criminal trespass to aggravated battery of police officers.

A rally during the convention? It’s nothing new

From CNN's Kevin Liptak
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (26)

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on August 19.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to hold a rally in Milwaukee during the middle of her convention may appear on the surface like it could split her supporters’ attentions.

But in the recent history of nominating conventions, it’s not particularly unusual. In fact, it’s only recently — under former President Donald Trump — that a nominee attended each night of their party’s gathering.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a rally on the first night of her convention in 2016, addressing supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the proceedings were getting underway in Philadelphia.

When former President Barack Obama was running for reelection in 2012, he flew to Norfolk, Virginia, for a rally on the first night of that year’s Democratic Convention, returning afterward to the White House. He didn’t arrive in the convention’s host city of Charlotte until the day before his acceptance speech.

It was a similar scenario in 2008, when Obama was campaigning in Kansas City as former first lady Michelle Obama delivered her speech on the convention’s first evening. He watched the speech from a supporter’s home, and was beamed in on a screen afterward as his wife and daughters waved.

Former Sen. John McCain was in Ohio on the first night of the Republican convention in 2008, helping disaster relief volunteers pack supplies for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.

Former President George W. Bush made a swing through New Hampshire, Tennessee, Iowa and Ohio as the 2004 Republican convention was underway in New York.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry was in Norfolk and Philadelphia before arriving at his convention in Boston.

See what's in Harris' proposed tax plan

From CNN's Tami LuhbyandWay Mullery

Kamala Harris has proposed using tax credits to provide relief to middle-class and lower-income Americans.

Her plan revives or extends temporary measures that Joe Biden and congressional Democrats enacted in major packages when the party controlled Congress during the first two years of the president’s term.

Harris’ proposal would restore the American Rescue Plan’s popularexpansion of the child tax creditto as much as $3,600, up from $2,000, and call for it to be made permanent. The enhancement wasonly in effectin 2021.

Her plan would restore the American Rescue Plan’s enhancement of the earned income tax credit, known as the EITC, which increased the maximum credit for workers without dependent children to roughly $1,500. That previous boost was only for 2021.

Plus, the proposal would also add a new child tax credit of up to $6,000 for middle-class and lower-income families with children in their first year of life.

And Harris has also promised toend federal income taxes on tips, sparking Trump’s ire that she is copyinghis campaign promise. Tips would remain subject to payroll taxes under Harris’ plan.

Harris' health care platform builds on Biden's efforts to reduce prescription drug prices

From CNN's Tami LuhbyandWay Mullery

Kamala Harris’ health care platform builds on the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce prescription drug costs.

She is calling to expand the current$35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulinand the upcoming $2,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs generally to all Americans, not just Medicare enrollees.

These caps were put in place for those on Medicare in theInflation Reduction Act. The $2,000 limit on Medicare Part D drug costs takes effect in January.

Thethree major insulin manufacturersin the US offer price caps or savings programs that lower the cost of insulin to $35 for many patients – a move Joe Biden pushed for in his State of the Union address last year.

Harris’ plan would also accelerate the speed of Medicare’s drug price negotiations so that the costs of more medications come down faster.

The Biden administration just announced the results of thefirst-ever round of negotiations, which is expected to result in $6 billion in savings for Medicare and a $1.5 billion reduction in out-of-pocket costs for seniors when the lower prices take effect in 2026.

Tuesday's roll call to begin with Biden's home state and end with Harris'

From CNN's MJ Lee
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (27)

Democratic National Convention stage is seen on August 18.

Delegates gathered inside Chicago’s United Center for the Democratic National Convention will participate in a ceremonial roll call Tuesday to celebrate Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, according to sources familiar with the planning.

The 57 delegations will deliver remarks and cast ceremonial votes — notably, the first roll call will begin with President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware. The last roll calls will come from California and Minnesota, the respective home states of Harris and Walz.

These details are meant to drive home the passing of the torch occasion, organizers said.

Some background: The vice president already became the party’s official nominee for president earlier this month after receiving a majority of votes via a virtual roll call, but Tuesday’s in-person votes will mark a heavily symbolic moment.

Because the party went through such heavy turmoil and disarray over the past few months, culminating in Biden dropping out of the 2024 race in July and Harris quickly locking up the nomination days later, many Democrats are looking forward to this week as a cathartic celebration.

There was also no in-person roll call four years ago for then-presumptive nominee Biden because the pandemic forced that year’s convention to be largely virtual.

Analysis: Harris says she wants to tackle greedflation. Here's the truth behind her claims

From CNN's David GoldmanandElisabeth Buchwald
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (28)

Kamala Harris speaks on the first day of the DNC in Chicago, on August 19.

Vice President Kamala Harris has picked up the baton from President Joe Biden on the fight against so-called greedflation – the notion that the United States inflation crisis was exacerbated by excessive corporate profit-taking that marked up goods or shrunk their sizes and padded businesses’ bottom lines.

Is there any truth to those claims? Sure, some.

“We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed, but our supply chains have now improved and prices are still too high,” Harris said Friday in North Carolina.

But the Harris and Biden fight against greedflation and price gouging ignores three fundamental truths: Consumers play a pivotal role in the price of goods. Inflation had many causes, but corporate greed was not a primary factor. And the war on inflation has largely been won already.

Make no mistake, some of the biggest food companies are raking in big fat profits. But here’s the kicker: Many reported even bigger profits when inflation was much lower.

Read the full analysis.

Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling are among the DNC hosts

From CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister

Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling and Ana Navarro will serve as hosts at the Democratic National Convention the rest of this week, event officials told CNN.

Each star will host one night of the four-day convention in a role similar to an award show host, kicking off the event and then appearing onstage throughout the evening to help guide the audience through programming, according to organizers, reported first by CNN.

Tony Goldwyn hosted on Monday night, Navarro will on Tuesday, Kaling on Wednesday, and Washington on Thursday, when Vice President Kamala Harris will speak.

All four hosts have a history of supporting the Democratic Party and publicly campaigning for candidates.

Doug Emhoff plans to describe Harris as the anchor of their family and showcase her non-political side

From CNN's MJ Lee
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (29)

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris are onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on August 19, in Chicago.

When Doug Emhoff walked onto the stage at the United Center Monday afternoon for a quick rehearsal, “You Get What You Give” by the New Radicals blasted from the speakers as the second gentleman pretended to wave to a raucous audience.

The arena was mostly empty still, with hours left until it would fill up with delegates for the first night of primetime programming. But when Emhoff returns to that stage tonight, millions of Americans will be tuning in — and many will be hearing him speak for the first time.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign views Emhoff as one of the most important speakers of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. There is nobody else who knows Harris as well as her spouse, and at a moment when the vice president is trying to quickly introduce herself to the American public following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his own reelection bid last month, the campaign already sees Emhoff as playing the unofficial role of “chief advocate” of the vice president.

His speech will touch on the story of the couple’s meeting and delve into how the vice president became a stepmom to Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella. Emhoff will describe Harris as being the anchor that grounds their blended family, the sources said.

Emhoff is uniquely capable of helping to “round out” Harris’ public image and help let Americans “see the whole person,” one of the sources said.

Tuesday night will also mark a key opportunity for Emhoff to introduce himself to the American public as he now hopes to become the country’s first “first gentleman” come January. Sources say he will speak to his own background and upbringing, including his work as a lawyer before his move to Washington.

Obama's convention balancing act: Ushering in a transition to Kamala Harris

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

When convention planners were quickly rejiggering their plans after President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, it was clear they would need a powerful speaker to introduce their new nominee to the American public.

And so they turned to arguably the party’s most powerful speechmaker, former President Barack Obama, whom people involved in this week’s gathering say was deliberately tasked with making an affirmative case for a nominee many Americans say they still don’t know much about.

Perhaps no other Democrat could manage that task as skillfully as Obama, this person said, pointing to past convention speeches that have resonated widely while accomplishing a series of complicated objectives.

In 2016, Obama sought to make the case for Hillary Clinton while also issuing a withering attack on Donald Trump. That speech was not ultimately enough to win Clinton the White House, but it’s a general combination that seems likely to be revived Tuesday.

Yet it is his affirmation of Harris that many involved in this week’s convention hope will prove most resonant. In his own address on Monday, President Joe Biden offered warm but not extensive testimony about his vice president.

That, people familiar with the matter said, would be Obama’s task.

Biden "shifted the tide" of the election by passing the torch to Harris, "Scandal" actor Tony Goldwyn says

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (30)

Actor Tony Goldwyn speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on August 19, in Chicago.

Actor Tony Goldwyn, known for his role as President Fitzgerald Grant on the show “Scandal,” is serving as a host during this week’s Democratic National Convention, a gig he says is an honor.

Goldwyn went on to commend Harris’ public service career, especially her career in criminal justice. He also praised President Joe Biden, who he had supported before Biden stepped aside.

Goldwyn said that Biden was a steady leader the country needed to navigate a tumultuous time. “He did a lot of quiet work that he does not get credit for,” Goldwyn said.

He went on to say Biden made a courageous — and, what he imagines, painful — decision to step aside. Through “a selfless act,” Biden has “shifted the tide,” the actor said.

GOP congressman downplays criticism from Harris campaign about site of Trump's Michigan rally

From CNN's Ali Main

Trump ally Rep. Byron Donalds brushed off the criticism former President Donald Trump has received from Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign for holding a campaign event in Howell, Michigan, a month after White supremacists marched through the suburban community’s downtown.

The Florida Republican called the demonstrations “distasteful,” but also said his brother-in-law lives in Howell and he’s “not some neo-Nazi,” rather he’s “just trying to work hard and do the right thing.”

Senior Trump campaign adviser Brian Hughes said that President Joe Biden also visited Howell, the largest city in Livingston County, in 2021, and suggested scrutiny should also be applied to Democrats for holding their convention in Chicago.

Trump will focus on crime and safety in his remarks on Tuesday in Michigan, while his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will hold an event with law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Flanked by signs titled “Kamala Crime Crisis” detailing increased murder rates since 2019 in major American cities, including New York and Chicago, Donalds also hit Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on the issue.

While Donalds acknowledged that recent crime rates have fallen in many cities, he argued “crime is only down from the horrifically high levels under the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration.”

Asked by a reporter about Trump’s previous remarks, including at a rally in Iowa last year, that he would use military forces to fight crime in American cities, Donalds downplayed the idea that Trump actually means to enforce some of what he tells voters publicly.

“Saying something at a rally is not public policy,” he said.

Pro-Palestinian protest group continues push for Palestinian American main stage speaker at DNC

From CNN’s Andy Rose

One of the pro-Palestinian activistgroups pressuring President Joe Biden’sadministration over the continuing war in Gaza wants more prominent representation at the Democratic National Convention, a lead protestorganizer said Tuesday at a news conference in Chicago.

“A Palestinian American voice would be critical,” said Abbas Alawieh of Uncommitted National Movement, which encouraged Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in state presidential party primaries to demand Biden support a ceasefire.

Though humanitarian concerns related to Gaza have been raised at the convention, there is no Palestinian American main stage speaker scheduled at the DNC, Alaweih said.

Uncommitted National Movementrepresentatives have been sitting down with representatives of Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss their concerns, including demands for an American arms embargo of Israel, Alawieh said.

Doctors who have provided medical care to Gazan civilians during the war joined the Uncommitted National Movement to call for a ceasefire on Tuesday.

Calling for an arms embargo, Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, a Chicago emergency physician who has been to Gaza twice this year, said it was “disheartening” to know that “as I am standing in front of the patient, pulling shrapnel out of their body, that my tax dollars have paid for this, and that my president and vice president and their administration are in full support of this.”

This post has been updated with the doctor’s remarks.

Trump bashes Biden's DNC speech

From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (31)

Former President Donald Trump remarks during a campaign event on August 19, in York, Pennsylvania.

Former President Donald Trump bashed President Joe Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Convention Monday night as “angry and ranting.”

“An angry and ranting Speech full of LIES, Biden took credit for everything done during the Trump Administration, even continuing to say that he was better on Inflation and Jobs,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump attacked Biden over the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, his response to the Covid-19 pandemic and his handling of illegal immigration.

Analysis: Obama will signal that Harris is the vessel of change the country needs

From CNN's Stephen Collinson
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (32)

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama.

In February 2008, then Sen. Barack Obama told his followers, “we are the change we seek.”

On Tuesday night, the two-term former president is expected to update his message —framing Kamala Harris as the only vessel of change in 2024 in a primetime convention address.

It will be a neat trick if Obama can pull it off because Harris is the second most important member of an unpopular administration that, while legislatively successful, failed to win the country’s confidence on the issue voters care about most — the economy.

Where Obama preached hope, Harris is invoking joy — betting that after grim years marked by the pandemic, the darkness of former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and the pain of high prices —Americans are ready for something new.

She’s got one big advantage. It’s tough for Trump to be the change candidate since he’s a quasi-incumbent himself, having led the Republican Party for eight years already and authored the most divisive presidency of modern times.

The former president seems befuddled that Harris has seized the change mantra. He’s arguing that she can’t claim to represent a break with the Biden administration because she’s part of it, saying at rallies “Day one for Kamala was three and a half years ago.”

Democratic strategists however say their internal polling suggests that Harris is far less associated with Biden’s struggles on the economy than Trump would like. So, Harris may have a narrow window to pull this off.

Israel's war in Gaza is the most fraught US foreign policy issue. Here's what Harris has said about it

From CNN's Tami LuhbyandWay Mullery

The Israel-Hamas war is the most fraught foreign policy issue facing the country and has spurred a multitude of protests around the US since it began in October.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late July, Kamala Harris gave aforceful and notable speechabout the situation in Gaza.

Harris echoed Biden’s repeated comments about the “ironclad support” and “unwavering commitment” to Israel. The country has a right to defend itself, she said, while noting, “how it does so, matters.”

The sympathy she expressed for Palestinians’ suffering was far more forceful than what Biden has said on the matter in recent months. Harris mentioned twice the “serious concern” she expressed to Netanyahu about civilian deaths in Gaza, the humanitarian situation and destruction she called “catastrophic” and “devastating.”

Harris emphasized the need to get the Israeli hostages back from Hamas captivity.

But when describing the potential ceasefire deal being negotiated, she didn’t highlight the hostage for prisoner exchange or aid to be let into Gaza. Instead, she singled out the fact that the deal stipulates the withdrawal by the Israeli military from populated areas in the first phase before withdrawing “entirely” from Gaza before “a permanent end to the hostilities.”

Harris didn’t preside over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in late July, instead choosing to stick with a prescheduled trip to a sorority event in Indiana.

Vance attacks Harris' net-zero energy policies in Wall Street Journal op-ed

From CNN's Kit Maher
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (33)

Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vancepenned an op-edin the Wall Street Journal Tuesday morning attacking Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting net-zero energy policies, claiming they will obliterate the American auto industry, exacerbate electricity demand and not effectively combat climate change.

“A Harris administration would be worse than the Biden administration. President Biden at least claimed not to support the Green New Deal. Ms. Harris was an original co-sponsor of the bill and even said she would abolish the Senate’s filibuster to pass it. Ms. Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz, is yet more extreme. Mr. Walz actually signed a bill that would end all sources of electricity other than wind and solar in his state by 2040,” Vance said.

Claiming Harris cares more about climate change than inflation, Vance said the US is “facing a catastrophic electrical capacity shortfall of hundreds of gigawatts” and that “variable solar and wind can’t take the place of large base-load generators.”

“Ms. Harris is unfazed by the unprecedented destruction of our energy infrastructure. She thinks windmills and the sun will come to the rescue. But she is dreaming,” Vance said.

Vance concluded, “President Trump has made it crystal clear we will end the net-zero energy policies shutting down investment in electricity capacity. Instead, we will pave the way for a massive energy expansion. We will streamline permitting, end the distorting effects of federal subsidies, unleash private investment, and lay the groundwork for a historic expansion in American energy capacity.”

Read more about where Harris stands on climate and energy here.

Ex-Trump press secretary to offer behind-the-scenes view of former president in DNC address

From CNN's Jake Tapper
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (34)

Stephanie Grisham is seen on ABC's Good Morning America, on October 4, 2021.

Stephanie Grisham, the former White House press secretary under Donald Trump, told CNN that she will speak about her experience with the former president during her address to the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night.

“My speech touches on who he really is behind the scenes as someone who was with the family for six years,” she said.

Grisham started working for Trump during his first presidential campaign in 2016 and went on to work as East Wing communications director, White House press secretary and chief of staff to Melania Trump during his administration.

Grisham resigned as Melania Trump’s chief of staff after the violent riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Grisham went on to write a book about her experience and has been publicly critical of Trump.

DNC bus delays on Monday caused by protest activity and 2 separate shuttle bus incidents, Secret Servicesays

From CNN's Whitney Wild

Significant bus delays for DNC attendees Monday evening were caused by a combination of protest activity in the area and two other separate shuttle bus incidents, the Secret Service said Tuesday.

A vehicle screening area outside the Democratic National Convention was temporarily closed Monday for security reasons during ongoing protest activity, according to Anthony Guglielmi, US Secret Service chief of communications.

At the same time, one shuttle bus inadvertently struck a security gate while a second shuttle bus became disabled due to mechanical issues, further obstructing additional traffic, Guglielmi said.

What to expect tonight at the DNC: A celebratory roll call vote, the second gentleman and the Obamas

From CNN's Betsy Klein
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (35)

Former President Barack Obama delivers remarks alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama at a ceremony to unveil their official White House portraits at the White House on September 7, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Tuesday evening’s Democratic National Convention programming will feature remarks from former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, as well as other key Democrats, including:

  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
  • Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth
  • Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
  • New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

There will be a celebratory roll call vote with to-be-unveiled “new, innovative, exciting elements,” said convention executive director Alex Hornbrook.

The evening will also feature some Republicans as Democrats seek to demonstrate a capacity to reach across the aisle: Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, and others.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who will also speak tonight. His speech is expected to include details from his personal biography as well as his relationship with Kamala Harris.

“America will get to know our future first gentleman, from his middle-class upbringing in Jersey to his successful career as a lawyer and now as a law professor,” Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler said.

He continued: “Doug Emhoff will show America the Kamala Harris only he knows. As America has seen these last few weeks, she’s joyful, she’s empathetic, and she’s tough.”

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to hold a rally in nearby Milwaukee this evening. Asked whether she had plans to watch her husband’s speech, officials offered scant details.

Analysis: Who exactly are Democrats talking to?

From CNN's Stephen Collinson
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (36)

Vice President Kamala Harris is on stage during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19.

The first night of the Democratic Party’s convention made clear that the foundation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ attempt to beat former President Donald Trump will be built on a massive turnout of Black and women voters.

Hillary Clinton peered through the cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling she failed to breach and said she saw the new Democratic nominee raising her hand to swear in as the first woman president.

Speakers hammered Trump over the Supreme Court’s overturning of the constitutional right to an abortion. And the party showcased prominent and promising Black elected leaders like Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.

But Harris can’t win on the party’s base alone. So it’s fair to ask how scenes of Clinton slamming her 2016 opponent for falling asleep in his trial or United Auto Workers Union leader Shawn Fain blasting the GOP nominee as a “scab” help win over the moderate middle.

Harris must find a way to reach white, male working voters in the Midwest — a notable constituency of President Joe Biden — and disaffected Republicans who disdain the ex-president but balk at liberal rhetoric.

Things could change Tuesday night. Former President Barack Obama made a political career on broadening the Democratic coalition, and he will try to do the same for Harris in his speech.

Look out also for dissident Republicans who broke with Trump.

These are the Republicans who will speak at the Democratic convention

From CNN's Antoinette Radford

At least five Republicans will speak at the Democratic National Convention. Here’s what to know about them:

John Gilesis the mayor of Mesa, Arizona. He told CNN he was supporting Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in July, saying: “This was not something I was excited to do … but occasionally there are issues and questions that we are presented within life that are just too compelling to be silent.”

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John Giles, mayor of Mesa, Arizona, attends the U.S Conference of Mayors 88th Winter Meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC, on January 22, 2020.

Geoff Duncan is the former lieutenant governor of Georgia and has come out in support of Harris. He previously told CNN he had a message for Republicans across the nation:

“Just because you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 doesn’t mean you’re a Democrat. It just means you’re a patriot. You’re doing your duty as an American to step up to the plate and reclaim this country’s future,” he said.

Duncan is a CNN contributor.

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Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan leaves the Fulton County Courthouse on August 14, 2023, in Atlanta.

Stephanie Grisham served as the White House press secretary for less than a year during the Trump administration. She worked in various roles as a senior aide to Donald and Melania Trump over five years and has written a book about her time as Melania’s chief of staff.

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Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary, arrives for a campaign rally in Orlando, Florida, on June 18, 2019.

Olivia Troye is a former Trump White House national security official. She joined Harris for an event in Michigan a few days before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

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Former Trump national security official Olivia Troye speaks during an event on July 17 in Portage, Michigan.

Adam Kinzingeris a former Republican congressman who served for 12 years. He describes himself as a “proud conservative” and had endorsed Biden in June. He was one of 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump’s impeachment for “incitement of an insurrection” in relation to the former president’s role during the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Kinzinger is a CNN contributor.

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Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger attends the Principles First 2023 Summit Preserving American Institutions at the Conrad Hotel in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2023.

Walz will visit DNC Women's Caucus and Youth Council meetings

From CNN's Aaron Pellish

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will visit two more caucus meetings at the Democratic National Convention this morning.

The Minnesota governor will continue to rally for Harris and “express his gratitude” for the support of members of the DNC Women’s Caucus and DNC Youth Council.

“Governor Tim Walz will continue to build upon the momentum of yesterday’s kick off of the Democratic National Convention and drop by a series of convenings with delegates where he will express his gratitude for their support of the Harris-Walz ticket, and discuss how Vice President Harris is fighting for people, our freedoms, and our future,” the official said.

Later in the day, Walz will join Harris for a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

DNC organizers move up Tuesday start time after late Monday night

From CNN's Betsy Klein
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (42)

The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19.

Democratic National Convention organizers have adjusted the start time of Tuesday’s convention programming following Monday’s late night, which ran significantly behind schedule.

President Joe Biden’s remarks, originally scheduled for primetime, bled past midnight ET.

“We made some real-time adjustments,” convention executive director Alex Hornbrook said at a Tuesday morning briefing.

He continued: “We’re working with our speakers and making some other adjustments for this evening, including beginning at 5:30 (PM CT), to make sure that we stay on track tonight.”

Latino civil rights organization chief says Harris-Walz campaign gaining traction with low-propensity voters

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury

Domingo Garcia, chairman of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), says that the Harris-Walz campaign is gaining traction among Latinos who have historically been low-propensity voters.

The Harris-Walz campaign started slow but “I think they’re really picking it up,” Garcia told CNN.

Garcia noted that there are 65 million Latinos in the US, many who are living in key battleground states.

“We can be the deciding factor. The road to the White House goes through the barrios of San Antonio, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas as well as Chicago and I think we can make that difference this year,” he said.

Some background: LULAC endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket earlier this month. The civil rights organization is dedicated to advancing opportunities for Hispanic Americans and was established in 1929. The PAC says that this is the first time LULAC has endorsed a presidential candidate in its almost 100-year history.

The group describes itself as the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization.

CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report.

Trump has attacked Harris on her immigration record. Here's her position

From CNN's Tami LuhbyandWay Mullery

Kamala Harris has quickly started trying tocounter Donald Trump’s attackson her immigration record.

Her campaign released a video in July citing support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and Trump’s successful push toscuttle a bipartisan immigration dealthat included some of the toughest border security measures in recent memory.

In June, the White House announceda crackdownon asylum claims meant to continue reducing crossings at the US-Mexico border – a policy that Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, indicated in July to CBS News would continue under a Harris administration.

Trump’s attacks stem from Biden having tasked Harris withoverseeing diplomatic effortsin Central America in March 2021. While Harris focused on long-term fixes, the Department of Homeland Security remained responsible for overseeing border security.

She has only occasionally talked abouther effortsas the situation along the US-Mexico border became a political vulnerability for Biden. But she put her own stamp on the administration’s efforts, engaging the private sector.

Harris pulled together the Partnership for Central America, which has acted as a liaison between companies and the US government. Her team and the partnership are closely coordinating on initiatives that have led to job creation in the region. Harris has also engaged directly with regional leaders.

Experts credit Harris’ ability to secure private-sector investments as her most visible action in the region to date but have cautioned about the long-term durability of those investments.

Analysis: Trump promises to make prices plunge again. That’s a dangerous proposal

Analysis from CNN's Matt Egan
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (43)

Former President Donald Trump makes remarks during a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania, on August 19.

Americans crave pre-Covid prices. Former President Donald Trump is promising to make them a reality.

“Prices will come down,” Trump told voters during a speech last week laying out his vision for a return to the White House. “You just watch: They’ll come down, and they’ll come down fast, not only with insurance, with everything.”

There’s no doubt the federal government can help influence the price of certain goods and services. However, broad-based price declines are not only improbable, they would bring about adoom loop difficult to escape from.

“Prices will come down and come down dramatically and come down fast,” he said.

Trump vowed to slash not just the price of gasoline, cooling bills and electricity, but predicted this would happen across the economy.

It’s one thing to try to slow the rate of inflation, making prices go up at a more gradual pace. That’s exactly what the Federal Reserve has been working to do the past two years, with a surprising amount of success.

But what Trump appeared to be describing is deflation: widespread price drops. And that’s something that scares economists because of what it portends.

“The way to bring about deflation would be to create a massive recession. That would cause businesses to start cutting prices,” Wolfers said.

But falling prices are problematic because they would stall the economy in its tracks.

Read more about how Trump’s price proposal could impact the US economy.

Harris has rolled out an economic agenda. Here's what it is

From CNN's Tami LuhbyandWay Mullery
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (44)

People shop at a grocery store on August 14, in Rosemead, California.

High prices are a top concern for many Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living after a spell of steep inflation. Many voters give President Joe Bidenpoor marksfor his handling of the economy, and Vice President Kamala Harris may also face their wrath.

As part of her economic agenda, Harris wants to counter the increase in food costs, which she argues stems in part from some big grocery chains that are keeping prices high even though their production costs have leveled off.

To do so, she is calling for the first-ever federalban on price gougingon food and groceries. She would also secure new authority for the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to investigate and penalize companies that unfairly exploit consumers in the quest for excessive profits on food and groceries.

Harris has echoed many of the same economic themes as Biden in campaign speeches, saying she wants to give Americans more opportunities to get ahead.

She promised in a July rally to continue the Biden administration’s drive to eliminateso-called junk feesand to fully disclose all charges, such as for events, lodging and car rentals.

Trump says he would consider giving Elon Musk a role in his possible administration

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (45)

Elon Musk listens to then-President Donald Trump as he meets with business leaders at the White House in 2017.

Former President Donald Trump told Reuters in an interview Monday that he would weigh giving Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk a role in a possible Trump administration.

“He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump said to Reuters when asked if Musk could be named as an adviser or Cabinet member.

Musk endorsed Trump last month on X, which the tech titan owns, after the former president’s attempted assassination.

In May, Musk said on X that “there have not been any discussions of a role for me in a potential Trump Presidency,” in response to a video about Wall Street Journal reporting about his alliance with Trump and a possible White House position.

Several Republicans will take center stage at the Democratic National Convention

From CNN's Edward-Isaac Dovere
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (46)

John Giles, the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and Geoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia.

It won’t just be Democrats speaking attheir convention in Chicagothis week. Several Republicans have received key speaking spots.

While some of the biggest names among Republicans opposed to GOP presidential candidateDonald Trumphave remained on the sidelines, others will be taking to the United Center stage this week to lay out the case for why they’re there – and why they think conservativesshould join them in voting forKamala Harris.

Two prominent speakers are from key battleground states:John Giles, the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, andGeoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia.

Duncan will have a “prominent” speaking slot on Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the speech.

The source said his remarks will be “directed at Republicans who are sick and tired of makingexcuses for Donald Trump.”

He will be joined byOlivia Troye, a former Trump White House national security official who joined Harris for an event in Michigan a few days before Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Stephanie Grisham, who served as White House press secretary during the Trump administration, will also speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

CNN previously reported that former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger will speak on Thursday evening ahead of Harris. Both Duncan and Kinzinger are CNN contributors.

“I’ve been a Republican all my life. But since Donald Trump refused to accept the results of the 2020 election, the Republican Party has spiraled further and further into political extremism,” Giles said.

Read more about the Republicans who have spoken out against Trump.

Analysis: Where Harris has — and hasn't — rebuilt the Democratic coalition

From CNN's Ronald Brownstein
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (47)

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport for a campaign rally on August 7.

The Harris coalition is coming into focus.

WhenVice President Kamala HarrisreplacedPresident Joe Bidenas the Democratic presidential nominee last month, her twin challenges were to shore up support with the groups where Biden was weak and to maintain his standing with the groups where he was relatively stronger.

As she arrives atthe Democratic conventionin Chicago this week, a broad array of polls testify to her progress on both tests.

But in the Rustbelt and Sunbelt alike, formidable challenges remain to this emerging “Kamala coalition.” Although Harris has demonstrably regained ground with younger, Black and Latino voters, in most polls she still lags below the levels Biden reached with them in 2020.

It’s far from certain Harris can win any of the major Sunbelt battlegrounds — North Carolina and Georgia in the Southeast, Arizona and Nevada in the Southwest — unless she can come even closer to those previous Democratic benchmarks. And the remaining voters she needs may be tougher to corral than those that have already returned to her.

Read more about where Harris has succeeded in building support since taking over the campaign here.

Additional security fencing going up outside DNC

From CNN’s Bill Kirkos
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (48)

Crews in Chicago were working early Tuesday morning to install an additional line of security fences near the United Center in the area where protesters breached an outer perimeter fence Monday.

About a dozen workers were installing a third row of fencing stretching east on Washington Boulevard from the area that was breached. The new row of fencing is in between the two rows that had already been in place.

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More on protesters: Thousands took to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

Families with babies in strollers, students, elected leaders and others holding signs and flags joined the march to the United Center to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen who broke away tore down pieces of the security fence.

Several protesters who had managed to get through the fence were detained and handcuffed by the police. Officers put on gas masks as some protesters tried to bring down a second fence set up in front of police. Authorities said the inner security perimeter surrounding the convention site was not breached and there was no threat to those attending the convention.

Inside the arena, CNN spotted three or fourprotestersholding up a banner that read “STOP ARMING ISRAEL.”Other attendees blocked the banner with “WE ❤️ JOE” signs, and the stadium turned off the lights to the section until theprotesterswere escorted out.

CNN’s Jake Tapper contributed reporting to this post.

Obama will deliver a "forceful affirmation" for Harris at the DNC, adviser says

From CNN'sJeff ZelenyandKevin Liptak

I there was one lessonKamala Harristook from the 2004 Democratic National Convention, it was to fuel up for some long days.

“You definitely have to eat your Wheaties,” thethen-39-year-old San Francisco district attorney told a crowd in Boston before heading off to the week’s hottest ticket: a party celebrating the breakout keynote speaker,US Senatecandidate Barack Obamaof Illinois.

Now, 20 years later, Obama – who went from the star of that conventionto the nation’s first Black president in a short four years – will speak on behalf of Harris, the party’s newly minted standard-bearer,delivering a “forceful affirmation that Harris is the right leader for the moment,” an adviser said.

Arriving at this moment was indirect, painstaking and awkward for so many Democrats, considering the 2024 convention was long intended to celebrate PresidentJoe Biden, Obama’s onetime vice president.

Obama is among the party elders whose quiet maneuvering helped Biden realize that Democrats were headed to almost certain defeat if he stayed on the ticket.

Harris’squick ascensionto the top of the Democratic Party wouldhave beenunlikely withoutthe swift endorsem*nt ofBiden– whose own presidency was made possible in no small part by Obama.

Read the full story.

Harris campaign says record number of volunteers have joined in key swing state of Wisconsin

From CNN's Aaron Pellish
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (50)

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on August 7.

Ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visiting Wisconsin on Tuesday, the campaign has touted its organizing infrastructure and laid out how it believes Harris’ record of accomplishments has impacted Wisconsin voters.

In a new memo on Tuesday, Harris campaign Wisconsin state communications director Brianna Johnson said the campaign had seen “record new volunteer signups” since Harris took over the top of the ticket from President Joe Biden.

She said Democrats in Wisconsin have “made over 600,000 door knocks and phone calls,” aided in part by the more than 170 staff the campaign has in the state.

Johnson also highlighted economic policy and criminal justice policies adopted by the Biden administration that have benefited Wisconsin voters, including noting the approval of additional funds to strengthen local police by allowing them to hire more officers and handle more 911 calls.

Johnson concluded her memo by contrasting Harris’ message with Trump’s, who the campaign calls “a convicted felon who would drag this country backwards and make life more expensive for working families.”

Harris begins standard transition planning

From CNN's Edward-Isaac Dovere
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (51)

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the DNC in Chicago, on August 19.

Vice President Kamala Harris has filed paperworkto begin planning for a potential transition to the White House — a standard move for a non-incumbent presidential candidate, but another measure of her rushed campaign launch.

Former President Donald Trump announced his own transition committee last week.

To lead the effort, CNN has learned that Harris is tapping the same person who ran the process for President Joe Biden: Yohannes Abraham, the current Indonesia-based ambassador tothe Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He and Harris worked together closely four years ago and then when he was the first chief of staff to the National Security Council under Biden. He’ll soon leave his job and move back to Washington for the role.

Law firm Covington & Burling — the firm of former Attorney General Eric Holder, which ran the running mate vetting process for Harris — will help advise how best to set up the effort to hire other staff.

The purpose is to ease any new administration taking control of the massive federal government, preparing senior aides for jobs and structures they may not already know about and facilitating a smoother transition for whoever is sworn inat noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

But it’s a tricky balance for Harris, who is running as both an extension of Biden’s administration and as a fresh start. A personfamiliar with the vice president’s planning tells CNN that the transitionapparatus will not be making personnel decisions before the election. She was facing a deadline of next week to file the paperwork.

The person added that as with the transition processes under Biden and former President Barack Obama, “this transition apparatus will focus on operational considerations in the pre-election period, such as making sure that sufficient vetting capacity exists post-election.”

Eventually, should either candidate win, the transition committee becomes the nexus for everything from picking Cabinet secretaries, to hiring lower-level jobs, to getting arms around information and major decisions the new president will face.

Here are some of the celebrities expected to attend the DNC this week

From CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister,Samantha WaldenbergandNorma Galeana
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (52)

John Legend performs in Inglewood, California, on May 4.

When Barack Obama accepted his presidential nomination at the 2008 DemocraticNational Convention in Denver, Jennifer Lopez was in town, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garnerattended the proceedings together, and Kanye West performed at an Obama campaign party.

Four conventions later, theA-list enthusiasmfor theparty’spresidentialticket remains. Not since the Obama years has celebrity enthusiasm been so high, merging the world of pop culture and politics as the race kicksinto high gear withthis week’s convention.

John Legend – who performed at the2008 and 2020conventions– is set to headline a showtonight for IllinoisGov.JB Pritzker. Tomorrow, “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfusishosting a panelwith the country’s eight female Democratic governors. And on tomorrow night, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform at a benefit concert thrown by the Creative Coalition, a Hollywood advocacy nonprofit.

Notable actors expected to attend include Tim Daly, Uzo Aduba, Anthony Anderson, Iain Armitage, Yvette Nicole Brown, David Cross, Jon Cryer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Danai Gurira, Richard Kind, Busy Philipps and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

High-profile speakers are still being finalized, multiple sourcestoldCNN, adding that a slew of actors will speak on the convention’s main stage.

But speculation has run rampant about two stars in particular: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

With no major performer announced, fans of both Beyoncé and Swift are hopeful that the women — who bothendorsed the Biden-Harris ticketin 2020— will show up in Chicago. Representatives for Swift and Beyoncé did not respond to CNN’s numerous requests for comment.

Obamas will stress that Harris is ready for the job – and that the stakes could not be higher

From CNN's MJ Lee in Chicago
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (53)

Kamala Harris and Barack Obama are pictured during an event at The White House in Washington, DC, in April 2022.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, who were aghast in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidential election, will speak to the nation this week as Democrats try to once again stop Trump from entering the White House.

A source familiar with the Obamas’ upcoming remarks said former President Barack Obama will “affirm why Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are precisely the leaders the country needs right now” – and underscore how high the stakes are heading into Election Day.

Former first lady Michelle Obama will speak to how she believes Harris is “ready to lead our country forward and turn the page on fear and division,” the source said. She intends to stress that the vice president is “one of the most qualified candidates to seek the presidency.”

Eric Schultz, senior adviser to Barack Obama, said the former president intends to continue lending Harris a helping hand as she campaigns against Trump.

Trump heads to battleground Michigan for first time since Harris became Democratic nominee

From CNN's Steve ContornoandKristen Holmes
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (54)

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump is pictured during a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania, on August 19.

Donald Trump’s counterprogramming to theDemocratic conventioncontinues Tuesday in Michigan, the former president’s first visit there since a seismic shakeup in the race altered the playing field in the Midwest battleground.

A month ago, the Trump campaign projected confidence in the Wolverine State. At Trump’s nominating convention, Chris LaCivita, a top strategist to the former president, told a room full of reporters that Michigan stood out as the so-called Blue Wall state most likely to turn red in November.

Days later, Trumplanded triumphantly in Grand Rapidsfor his maiden rally with new running mate JD Vance. In what was also his first campaign event following theattempt on his life, Trump poked fun at the Democratic angst surrounding the top of their ticket.

“Who would you most like to run against?” he asked a fully packed auditorium before rattling off rumored contenders to replacePresident Joe Biden, who was then still seeking reelection. When the former president floated Biden’s name, his supporters cheered loudest.

But those hopes were soon dashed. The next day, Biden dropped out, and Trump’s opponent soon became Vice PresidentKamala Harris, whom Democrats will formally nominate Tuesday at their convention in Chicago.

Read how Harris’ entry into the race has shifted the political landscape in Michigan.

Harris and Walz will attend Milwaukee campaign rally tonight in same arena where RNC was held

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (55)

Vice President Kamala Harris, center, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, right, attend the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on August 19.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will attend a Milwaukee campaign rally today in the same arena where the Republican National Convention was held last month.

The rally will be held at the Fiserv Forum in the battleground state of Wisconsin, according to her campaign, in what will be Harris’ third trip to the state since she became the Democratic presidential candidate.

Harris’ remarks are expected at 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET), a campaign official said.

That means her address will be during some of the main programming at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Former President Barack Obama, former first Lady Michelle Obama, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are all expected to speak at the DNC tonight.

The campaign said they would offer rally attendees the opportunity to attend a watch party outside of the Fiserv Forum after the rally, so they can watch the primetime speeches.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and members of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise, including forward Khris Middleton and organization President Peter Feigin, are expected to participate in today’s rally, the campaign said.

Here's who is expected to make speeches at the DNC this week

Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (56)

The stage is set for the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on Sunday, August 18.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to speak Thursday at the Democratic National Convention, but only after a “who’s who” list of speakers from the Democratic party and beyond.

From past presidents and presidential hopefuls to key Harris allies, here’s a look at some of the people who are set to deliver speeches in Chicago this week:

Tuesday:

  • Former President Barack Obama
  • Second gentleman Doug Emhoff
  • Former first lady Michelle Obama
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker

Wednesday:

  • Vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
  • Former President Bill Clinton
  • Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
  • Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Thursday:

  • Presidential nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris
  • Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are also expected to speak at some point during the convention, according to DNC officials.

DNC roll call will start with Delaware and end with California, symbolizing the shift from Biden to Harris

From CNN's MJ Lee
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (57)

Vice President Kamala Harris is joined by President Biden on stage following his remarks on Monday, August 19.

Delegates gathered for the Democratic National Convention will participate in a ceremonial roll call today to celebrate Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, according to sources familiar with the planning.

The 57 delegations will deliver remarks and cast ceremonial votes inside Chicago’s United Center.

Notably, the first roll call will begin with President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware and the last roll calls will come from California and Minnesota, the home states of Harris and Walz. These details are meant to drive home the passing of the torch occasion, organizers said.

Harris became the party’s official nominee earlier this month after receiving a majority of votes via a virtual roll call, but today’s in-person votes are heavily symbolic. Because the party went through turmoil over the past few months — culminating in Biden dropping out of the 2024 race in July and Harris quickly locking up the nomination days later — many Democrats are looking forward to this week as a cathartic celebration.

Four years ago, there was also no in-person roll call for then-presumptive nominee Biden because the Covid-19 pandemic forced that year’s convention to be largely virtual.

6 key takeaways from the first night of the DNC

From CNN's Eric BradnerandGregory Krieg
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (58)

President Joe Biden gives remarks during the DNC on Monday, August 19, in Chicago.

Democratsopened their conventionin Chicago Monday with a send-off to President Joe Biden, who closed the night with a hand-off to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here are six takeaways:

Biden got four-minute ovation: Biden said choosing Harris as his running mate in 2020 was “the best decision I made my whole career.”

He also sharply criticized Trump and a detailed recollection of his administration’s legislative achievements.

Clinton underscores potential for first woman president: Though she’d fallen short eight years ago, Clinton said she wanted her grandchildren and their grandchildren to know she’d been there for Harris when the “glass ceiling” finally shatters.

She invoked Shirley Chisholm, the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated for vice president. “Shirley and Geri would say, ‘Keep going,’” Clinton said.

Clinton on Trump’s “familiar” attacks: Referring to Trump’s convictions in New York, she said that he “made his own kind of history: the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions.” The crowd responded with chants of “Lock him up!” – Democrats’ spin on the “Lock her up” chantsabout Clintonthat were omnipresent at Trump’s 2016 rallies.

Abortion rights: Democrats lambasted Trump for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who helped undo Roe v. Wade’s protections for abortion rights. Three women with stories of abortion and reproductive care told their stories as part of support for abortion rights, which has been Democrats’ most potent issue at the ballot box since Roe v. Wade’s reversal two years ago.

Democrats downplay Israel’s war: Few issues have divided Democrats more – by age, by ideology, sometimes by identity – than Israel’s war in Gaza. Not that you would have known it from watching Monday night. Biden spoke at the greatest length about Gaza, showing sympathy for those killed. But for most of the speakers in prime time, the war barely warranted a mention. It is, quite clearly and unsurprisingly, an issue Democrats see little electoral upside in highlighting.

Spotlight on Project 2025: Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow stepped onstage with a large prop: a book containing “Project 2025” so big that it barely fit on the podium. The moment reflected how eager Democrats are to tie Trump to what McMorrow called “a Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.” Though the former president has disavowed it, Democrats have framed the playbook for a second Trump term as his agenda. McMorrow left the stage with a pledge that the book would return Tuesday night.

Read more of the takeaways.

Analysis: "I gave my best to you," Biden tells America as he passes the torch to Harris

From CNN'sStephen Collinson
Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (59)

President Joe Biden is seen onstage at the DNC in Chicago, on Monday, August 19.

Awash in his party’s love,President Joe Bidenfinally did become that bridge to a new generation of leaders.

He movingly performed the most profound act a politician in a democracy can undertake — willingly handing over power — as he ceded the party’s leadership to Kamala Harris Monday atthe Democratic National Convention.

He capped a half-century-long career as a senator, a vice president, and finally president by citing a verse of a song called “American Anthem” that he said was important to his family.

In a valedictory speech in Chicago that stretched passed midnight on the east coast, Biden, 81, also placed that legacy — and what he sees as the fate of American democracy — in the hands of the woman he referred to as “vice president soon-to-be-president Kamala Harris.”

“She tough, she’s experienced and she has enormous integrity,” he said.

Biden’s gesture was especially poignant as he became the first sitting president to shelve a reelection race in over five-and-a-half decades.

Read the full analysis.

These are the nightly themes of the Democratic National Convention

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

Democrats gave a hero’s send-off to President Joe Biden while rallying around their new nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, on Monday.

Each day of the four-day Democratic National Convention has a different theme:

Monday: “For the People”

Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” with a speech from former President Barack Obama.

Wednesday: “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” with a speech from vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.

Thursday: “For Our Future,” closing out with an acceptance speech from Harris.

Project 2025 will be a daily feature of the DNC. Here's what it is

From CNN's MJ Lee, Curt Devine,Casey Tolan,Audrey AshandKyung Lah

Dmocrats gathered in Chicago to ceremonially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris for president plan to showcase the conservative Project 2025 on each night of the four-day event, convention officials tell CNN.

The 920-page document was organized by The Heritage Foundation think tank and developed in significant part by people who served in Trump’s administration.

The four-night examination of Project 2025 — the conservative blueprint for Donald Trump’s second term — began when Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow focused on Trump’s recent claim that he would be a dictator on his first day in office.

Trump has publicly distanced himself from the initiative, calling unspecified Project 2025 ideas “seriously extreme.”

But, last month, Russell Vought, one of Project 2025’s key authors, was heard on video talking candidly about his behind-the-scenes work to prepare policy for Trump, his expansive views on presidential power, his plans to restrict p*rnography and immigration,and his complaints that the GOP was too focused on “religious liberty” instead of “Christian nation-ism.”

Vought thought the men he was talking to were relatives of a wealthy conservative donor. They actually worked for a British journalism nonprofit and were secretly recording him the entire time.

Project 2025’s proposals for right-wing policies and a radical reshaping of the executive branch have become frequent targets of Democratic criticism.

A Harris campaign official previously said the campaign has “made a deliberate decision to brand all of Trump’s policies” as “Project 2025,” since they believe “it has stuck with voters.”

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Live updates: Democratic National Convention, Obamas headline day 2 of the DNC | CNN Politics (2024)

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