LiveUpdated
Tuesday 18 August 2020 03:50
The Democratic National Convention kicked off with some last-minute additions as the family of George Floyd led a moment of silence to mark the start of the first day.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser accused Donald Trump of ‘plotting’ with his bible photo at St John’s Church as the daughter of a Covid-19 victim said her father’s only pre-existing condition was a Trump presidency.
Headlined ‘We the People’, a running theme through Democrat speakers was restoring the “Soul of America” by electing Joe Biden, as Republican leaders joined their traditional rivals to condemn the president.
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Michelle Obama starts main speech for the night
“Trump has attacked doctors and scientists trying to protect us from the pandemic, while refusing to take strong action to produce the masks, gowns and gloves, our healthcare workers desperately need. Nero fiddled while Rome burned, Trump plays golf,” Sanders says.
“His actions fanned this pandemic resulting in over 170,000 deaths and a nation still unprepared to protect its people.”
Biden supports raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, make it easier for workers to join unions, create 12 weeks of paid family leave, fund universal pre-K for three and four-year-olds and make childcare affordable, Sanders says.
“The truth is, even before Trump’s negligent response to this pandemic, too many hard working families have been caught on an economic treadmill with no hope of ever getting ahead,
“Together we must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate and more inclusive. I know that Joe Biden will begin that fight on day one.”
“Our campaign ended several months ago, but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day. Many of the ideas we fought for, that just a few years ago were considered, radical, are now mainstream,” Sanders says.
“As long as I am here, I will work with progressives, moderates, and yes conservatives, to preserve this nation from a threat that so many of our heroes fought and died to defeat.”
Bernie Sanders has begun his remarks
“Most candidates when they end their candidacy that day is a hard one, for me it was a moment filled with great joy, because the day I ended my presidential campaign was also the day I endorsed Joe Biden,” Klobuchar says.
“The president may hate the post office but he’s still going to have to send them a change of address card come January,” Klobuchar says.
Que laugh track.
For the third time during the DNC convention tonight, the soul of America has been evoked by a speaker saying Biden will restore the country’s spirit. This time from former Republican Governor, John Kasich.
“Many of us have been deeply concerned about the current path we’ve been following for the past four years, it’s a path that’s led to division, dysfunction, irresponsibility and growing vitriol between our citizens,” Kasich says.
“Continuing to follow that path will have terrible consequences for Americas soul because we’re being taken down the wrong road by a president who has pitted one against the other.”
Former governor of New Jersey, Christine Whitman: “This isn’t about Republican or Democrat, it’s about a person, a person decent enough, stable enough, strong enough to get our economy back on track. A person who can work with everyone, Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Donald Trump isn’t that person. Joe Biden is.
Meg Whitman, CEO of Quibi and longtime republican: “Donald Trump has no clue how to run a business let alone an economy.”
Susan Molinari, former Republican US Congresswoman for New York City. “I’ve known Donald Trump for most of my political career. So disappointing, and lately so disturbing.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, claiming one of Trump’s nickname for her, says the president would rather fight his own people than fight the coronavirus.
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will lead by example, it’ll be science, not politics or ego that will drive their decisions,” Ms Whitmer says. “They know the health of our people goes hand in hand with the strength of our economy. They know action begets action.”
Sara Gideon, running for Maine in US Senate, introduces Maggie Rogers for a musical interlued
“People are exhausted and we’re looking at the tsunami that’s coming this winter with Covid and influenza and I think all of us are wondering how is our system not going to collapse,” says Dr Bradley Dreifuss, of Arizona.
“Because if we’re not there people come with their broken arms, or they come with their heart attacks or their strokes or their appendicitis, we’re not going to be there.”
Ms Urquiza, who lost her father to Covid-19, blamed failed leadership for his death.
“My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life.”
“The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas: the America that Donald Trump lives in and the America that my father died in.”
With Cuomo speaking at the convention, a theme is emerging on “restoring the soul of America” by replacing Trump with Biden.
“Joe Biden is what I call America tough, tough in the best way, tough that is smart, united, disciplined and loving,” Cuomo says.
“Joe Biden can restore the soul of America, and that’s exactly what our country needs today.
“It won’t be easy, we can only succeed if we move forward together, so we will need a president who sees unifying people as a requirement of the job. A president who understands the true meaning of community and how to build it through trust and humility,” Clyburn says.
“We need a president who understands both profound loss, and what it takes to bounce back. But more important than his firsthand experience with loss and hardship is his ability to translate that perspective into policy and solutions, and prioritize hard working people… that’s why I stand with Joe, and why he will always be an adopted son of South Carolina.’
Joe Biden is speaking to Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gwen Garner, mother of Eric Garner, on a round table of activists discussing racism and police brutality.
“Most cops are good, but the fact is the bad ones have to be identified and prosecuted and out, period,” Biden says.
Moment of silence held during DNC for George Floyd and BLM
“My brother George was selfless, he always made sacrifices for his family, friends, and even complete strangers. George had a giving spirit, a sprit that has shown up on streets around our nation and around the world. People of all races, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds, peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity. It’s a fitting legacy for our brother.”
“But while we were peacefully protesting, Donald Trump was plotting. He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op. He sent troops in camouflage into our streets. He sent tear gas into the air–federal helicopters, too. I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town,” she says.
“We have to undo the laws and systems that have codified racism for far too long. But we have to do something too. Each and every one of us. Challenge our own biases. If we see something, do something. Together, we can turn this reckoning into a reimagining of a nation where ‘We The People’ means all the people.”
Before we get into the meat of the convention, we’ve heard form small business owners, a Congresswoman and now “Eric from Illinois”.
Speaking to a phone video, Eric from Illinois, a Trump voter, has his regrets.
“I’m fairly ashamed to say it but I’m one of many who voted for the current president, Donald Trump. I challenge you to think back to what made you vote for Donald Trump in 2016, I know I sure have and I’ve registered as a Democrat for the first time in my life,” he says.
“I’m doing that because I think this election is bigger than any political party.”
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