This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/aug/17/democratic-convention-live-michelle-obama-bernie-sanders-dnc-latest-news-updates-tonight
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Democratic convention kicks off with Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders set to speak – live | Democratic convention kicks off with Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders set to speak – live |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Woman blames Trump for her father’s death from coronavirus as former first lady to call Joe Biden ‘profoundly decent man’ in speech | |
| Democrats just played a video featuring several of the candidates who ran against Joe Biden in the presidential primary. | |
| Some of the former candidates, including New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, will also deliver longer speeches at the convention later in the week. | |
| The video marks Democrats’ latest effort to unify the party around Biden after they struggled to move past the contentious primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in 2016. | |
| Two Democratic senators, Catherine Cortez-Masto and Amy Klobuchar, both touched on the importance of the US Postal Service in their convention speeches. | |
| Both senators criticized Trump for trying to weaken the USPS in an apparent attempt to hamper voting by mail before the election. | |
| Cortez-Masto noted many Americans receive medications through the postal service, saying Trump is “putting the lives of Nevada’s seniors at risk by trying to defund the post office.” | |
| Klobuchar opened her speech by describing the right to vote as “fundamental” and the work of USPS as “essential.” | |
| “You know, the president may hate the post office, but he’s still going to have to send them a change of address card in January,” Klobuchar said. | |
| In one of the most moving moments of the night so far, Kristin Urquiza mourned the loss of her father to Covid-19. | |
| Here’s how some commentators have reacted: | |
| Several longtime Republicans addressed the Democratic convention to endorse Joe Biden and argue against reelecting Trump. | |
| “Donald Trump has no clue how to run a business, let alone an economy,” said Meg Whitman, the former CEO of HP and a major Republican fundraiser. | |
| Former Ohio Governor John Kasich, a frequent critic of the president, delivered his speech while standing at a literal crossroads. (Get it?) | |
| “America is at a crossroads,” Kasich said. “The stakes in this election are greater than any in modern times.” | |
| Kasich acknowledged that he and Biden disagree on a number of policy issues, but he said he believed the Democrat was the right person to lead the nation in this time of crisis. | |
| “Whatever our difference, we respect one another as human beings,” Kasich said. | |
| Urquiza also published an op-ed in the Washington Post. She wrote that Trump and governors “have blood on their hands”. | |
| – Maanvi Singh | |
| In her convention speech, Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, credited Barack Obama and Joe Biden with saving the state’s auto industry. | |
| Whitmer, who was considered as a potential running mate for Biden, contrasted the work of the Obama administration with Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| “From the jump, we took this pandemic seriously in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “Just imagine if we had a national strategy.” | |
| Echoing other speakers, Whitmer argued Biden and Kamala Harris would provide the leadership needed to tackle this crisis. | |
| “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will lead by example,” Whitmer said. “They know action begets action.” | |
| Maanvi here: | |
| Kristin Urquiza’s obituary for her father was a scathing condemnation of Arizona’s Republican governor, Doug Ducey. | |
| She blamed her dad’s death on the “carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership, refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk”. | |
| Weeks later, Joe Biden sent her a letter, which she shared with the Arizona Republic. “The family bonds that Mark spent his life strengthening are meant for times like these,” Biden wrote. “They’re meant for you to lean on to share some of those burdens that are terribly difficult to bear alone. And they’re meant to continue to grow in your love and care for one another, no matter the adversity.” | |
| Kristin Urquiza, whose father died from coronavirus, addressed the Democratic convention to condemn Trump’s efforts to downplay the threat posed by the virus. | Kristin Urquiza, whose father died from coronavirus, addressed the Democratic convention to condemn Trump’s efforts to downplay the threat posed by the virus. |
| Urquiza said her father, Mark Anthony Urquiza, voted for Trump in 2016, and he listened to the president when it came to coronavirus. | Urquiza said her father, Mark Anthony Urquiza, voted for Trump in 2016, and he listened to the president when it came to coronavirus. |
| “My dad was a healthy 65-year-old,” Urquiza said. “His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life.” | “My dad was a healthy 65-year-old,” Urquiza said. “His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life.” |
| Urquiza said she would cast her vote for Joe Biden in November to honor her father. “One of the last things that my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump,” Urquiza said. “And so, when I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my dad.” | Urquiza said she would cast her vote for Joe Biden in November to honor her father. “One of the last things that my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump,” Urquiza said. “And so, when I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my dad.” |
| It’s Maanvi, chiming in here: | It’s Maanvi, chiming in here: |
| One thing that’s a bit odd about this virtual convention so far is that in some ways, we’re compelled to watch a lot of the fluff that may have played in the background – the campaign videos, the emotional clips of children reciting the national anthem. But there’s also a lot of filler we’re not seeing – things are moving along at quite a brisk clip, uninterrupted by shots of people walking on and off stage to swelling music, adjusting their mics and shuffling notes. | |
| The lack of such natural pauses have also left little time for news anchors to contribute their quick takes between speakers. | The lack of such natural pauses have also left little time for news anchors to contribute their quick takes between speakers. |
| New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, used his convention remarks to fiercely criticize Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. | New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, used his convention remarks to fiercely criticize Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Cuomo, who became one of the faces of the US response to coronavirus as cases in New York surged earlier this year, thanked all the Americans who helped his state in its time of need. | Cuomo, who became one of the faces of the US response to coronavirus as cases in New York surged earlier this year, thanked all the Americans who helped his state in its time of need. |
| “New Yorkers were ground zero for infection rates,” Cuomo said. “We went through hell, but we learned much.” | “New Yorkers were ground zero for infection rates,” Cuomo said. “We went through hell, but we learned much.” |
| Cuomo’s speech included an extended metaphor describing the federal government under Trump as a body that was not strong enough to fight off the virus. | Cuomo’s speech included an extended metaphor describing the federal government under Trump as a body that was not strong enough to fight off the virus. |
| “Our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent,” Cuomo said. “It couldn’t fight off the virus.” | “Our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent,” Cuomo said. “It couldn’t fight off the virus.” |
| The Democratic governor went on to praise Joe Biden, saying he would lead the nation to a better future. | The Democratic governor went on to praise Joe Biden, saying he would lead the nation to a better future. |
| “Joe Biden is what I call America tough, tough in the best way,” Cuomo said. “Joe Biden can restore the soul of America, and that’s exactly what our country needs today.” | “Joe Biden is what I call America tough, tough in the best way,” Cuomo said. “Joe Biden can restore the soul of America, and that’s exactly what our country needs today.” |
| Weird? Emotional? Cheesy? Reactions have been mixed to the convention so far online: | Weird? Emotional? Cheesy? Reactions have been mixed to the convention so far online: |
| The House majority whip, Jim Clyburn, addressed the Democratic convention live from Charleston, South Carolina. | |
| Clyburn, who provided a much-needed boost to Joe Biden’s struggling campaign by endorsing him shortly before the South Carolina primary, said his endorsement was “a decision I made with my feet firmly planted in this community”. | |
| “Joe Biden is as good a man as he is a leader,” Clyburn said. “We know Joe, but more importantly Joe knows us.” | “Joe Biden is as good a man as he is a leader,” Clyburn said. “We know Joe, but more importantly Joe knows us.” |
| The convention moved on to a pre-taped discussion on racial justice with Democratic nominee Joe Biden. | The convention moved on to a pre-taped discussion on racial justice with Democratic nominee Joe Biden. |
| The discussion also featured Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner. | The discussion also featured Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner. |
| Biden noted the final words of George Floyd -- “I can’t breathe” -- were all too familiar to Carr; those were also the last words of her son as he was put in a fatal police chokehold. | Biden noted the final words of George Floyd -- “I can’t breathe” -- were all too familiar to Carr; those were also the last words of her son as he was put in a fatal police chokehold. |
| Carr said it was urgent that America not let the national conversation move away from the killing of Floyd without ensuring meaningful change to policing. | Carr said it was urgent that America not let the national conversation move away from the killing of Floyd without ensuring meaningful change to policing. |
| Maanvi Singh reports: | Maanvi Singh reports: |
| Muriel Bowser – like many of the politicians who will speak this week, including the presidential and vice-presidential nominees – has a bit of conflicted record on policing. While Bowser has vocally supported the Black Lives Matter protesters and renamed a street near the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. But activists have been critical of Bowser’s policies on policing. | Muriel Bowser – like many of the politicians who will speak this week, including the presidential and vice-presidential nominees – has a bit of conflicted record on policing. While Bowser has vocally supported the Black Lives Matter protesters and renamed a street near the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. But activists have been critical of Bowser’s policies on policing. |
| The DC mayor had previously questioned a law releasing officers’ names and body camera footage in cases of police shootings and police brutality, worrying that such legislation would have “unintended consequences”. Prior to the nationwide demonstrations this summer calling for defunding the police, she also proposed a budget for next year that would increase funding for police and reduce funding for some community programs. | The DC mayor had previously questioned a law releasing officers’ names and body camera footage in cases of police shootings and police brutality, worrying that such legislation would have “unintended consequences”. Prior to the nationwide demonstrations this summer calling for defunding the police, she also proposed a budget for next year that would increase funding for police and reduce funding for some community programs. |
| The family of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, briefly addressed the Democratic convention. | The family of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, briefly addressed the Democratic convention. |
| “George should be alive today,” his brother, Philonise Floyd, said before listing off some of the names of others who have been killed by police officers. | “George should be alive today,” his brother, Philonise Floyd, said before listing off some of the names of others who have been killed by police officers. |
| “When this moment ends, let’s make sure we never stop saying their names,” Floyd said. | “When this moment ends, let’s make sure we never stop saying their names,” Floyd said. |
| He then called for a brief moment of silence to remember his brother and “the many other souls we’ve lost to hate and injustice”. | He then called for a brief moment of silence to remember his brother and “the many other souls we’ve lost to hate and injustice”. |
| DC Mayor Muriel Bowser used her convention speech to praise the protesters who have marched against racism and police brutality since May, when George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. | DC Mayor Muriel Bowser used her convention speech to praise the protesters who have marched against racism and police brutality since May, when George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. |
| Bowser also harshly criticized Trump for his response to the protests, as she appeared before the Black Lives Matter mural in Washington. | Bowser also harshly criticized Trump for his response to the protests, as she appeared before the Black Lives Matter mural in Washington. |
| “We can’t just paint those words behind me. We can’t just say those words,” Bowser said. “We have to live those words.” | “We can’t just paint those words behind me. We can’t just say those words,” Bowser said. “We have to live those words.” |
| Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin was the first Democratic lawmaker to address the convention tonight. | Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin was the first Democratic lawmaker to address the convention tonight. |
| The virtual nature of the convention is certainly a disappointment for Moore, considering the event was originally supposed to be held in her hometown of Milwaukee. | The virtual nature of the convention is certainly a disappointment for Moore, considering the event was originally supposed to be held in her hometown of Milwaukee. |
| Moore is a co-chairwoman of the convention host committee and has represented Milwaukee in the House for 15 years. | Moore is a co-chairwoman of the convention host committee and has represented Milwaukee in the House for 15 years. |
| But Moore used her remarks to put a positive spin on the virtual event. “We gather virtually; however we gather unified,” Moore said. | But Moore used her remarks to put a positive spin on the virtual event. “We gather virtually; however we gather unified,” Moore said. |