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Democratic convention: Jill Biden closes second night as Joe formally secures nomination – live Democratic convention: Jill Biden closes second night as Joe formally secures nomination – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Joe Biden formally nominated for president at Democratic national convention while Ocasio-Cortez praises Sanders’ campaignJoe Biden formally nominated for president at Democratic national convention while Ocasio-Cortez praises Sanders’ campaign
That’s it from us tonight. The Guardian team will be back tomorrow for the third night of the Democratic convention, when vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris will deliver her speech.
Here are the key takeaways from the night:
Joe Biden was formally nominated for president with an impressive virtual roll call vote. Because Democrats are not able to meet in person in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week, each state delegation filmed a video to cast their votes for president. The videos provided a vibrant visualization of every region in the country, and the well-received presentation raised the possibility that future conventions could retain certain elements of this year’s virtual event.
Jill Biden offered a personal case for the election of her husband. The Biden campaign produced a moving video recounting how Jill met her future husband shortly after his first wife and his young daughter were killed in a car accident. Biden also reflected on the sorrow of losing their eldest son, Beau, to brain cancer at the age of 46. The former second lady argued that her husband’s continued commitment to public service, despite these devastating losses, underscored how he would lead the country through this moment of crisis. “How do you make a broken family whole? The same way you make a nation whole,” Biden said. “With love and understanding – and with small acts of kindness. With bravery. With unwavering faith.”
It was an emotional night, with many moments tugging on viewers’ heartstrings. In addition to the Bidens recounting the loss of their family members, progressive activist Ady Barkan, who is has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), made an emotional plea for expanding access to quality healthcare and described Donald Trump’s potential reelection as an “existential threat”. “We live in the richest country in history and yet we do not guarantee this most basic human right,” Barkan said. “Everyone living in America should get the healthcare they need regardless of their employment status or ability to pay.” The Biden campaign also produced a video focused on Biden’s friendship with longtime Republican senator John McCain, who died of brain cancer two years ago.
Democrats continued their theme of highlighting Republican endorsements of Biden. Former secretary of state Colin Powell and former defense secretary Chuck Hagel both praised Biden as a leader with the necessary skills to guide the country through a global pandemic and move past the divisions of Trump’s presidency. “What a difference it will make to have a president who unites us, who restores our strength and our soul,” Powell said. The endorsements marked the latest effort by the Biden camp to appeal to centrist voters who voted for Barack Obama but flipped to supporting Trump in 2016.
The New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a nominating speech for the Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, sparking some confusion on social media. By the rules of the convention, each candidate who passes a certain delegate threshold are required to be nominated and included in the roll call vote. However, some Twitter users appeared to incorrectly believe the progressive woman was trying to snub Biden by endorsing Sanders, prompting Ocasio-Cortez herself to clear up the confusion. Lesson learned: explaining complicated convention rules over Twitter is quite the headache.
The Guardian team will be back again tomorrow. Thank you for following along with our convention coverage tonight.
Tonight’s musical outro came from John Legend. Here’s the full clip, in case you missed it:Tonight’s musical outro came from John Legend. Here’s the full clip, in case you missed it:
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
Tonight, Sally Yates, Bill Clinton and Chuck Schumer all echoed Michelle Obama’s most memorable condemnation of Donald Trump yesterday: “It is what it is”.Tonight, Sally Yates, Bill Clinton and Chuck Schumer all echoed Michelle Obama’s most memorable condemnation of Donald Trump yesterday: “It is what it is”.
The Democrats’ indictment of Trump uses the president’s own words against him. “A thousand Americans are dying a day,” Jonathan Swan of Axios said during a recent interview with Trump.The Democrats’ indictment of Trump uses the president’s own words against him. “A thousand Americans are dying a day,” Jonathan Swan of Axios said during a recent interview with Trump.
“They are dying. That’s true. And you — it is what it is,” he responded. “But that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing everything we can. It’s under control as much as you can control it.” “They are dying. That’s true. And you – it is what it is,” he responded. “But that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing everything we can. It’s under control as much as you can control it.”
“President Lincoln, honoring the great sacrifice at Gettysburg, didn’t say ‘it is what it is.’ President Roosevelt, seeing a 3rd of the nation ill-housed, ill-clad, and ill-nourished, didn’t say ‘it is what it is.’ America, Donald Trump has quit on you,” Schumer said. “President Lincoln, honoring the great sacrifice at Gettysburg, didn’t say ‘It is what it is.’ President Roosevelt, seeing a third of the nation ill-housed, ill-clad, and ill-nourished, didn’t say ‘It is what it is.’ America, Donald Trump has quit on you,” Schumer said.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
Shortly after delivering her nomination speech for Bernie Sanders, progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Live to encourage her supporters to rally around Joe Biden in November.Shortly after delivering her nomination speech for Bernie Sanders, progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Live to encourage her supporters to rally around Joe Biden in November.
However, Ocasio-Cortez also made clear that progressives should continue their fight for Medicare-for-all and tuition-free public college, among other initiatives. However, Ocasio-Cortez also made clear that progressives should continue their fight for Medicare for All and tuition-free public college, among other initiatives.
“The moment that Joe Biden is elected, we continue our fight for guaranteed healthcare. We continue our fight for living wages,” Ocasio-Cortez said.“The moment that Joe Biden is elected, we continue our fight for guaranteed healthcare. We continue our fight for living wages,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
While the DNC tonight had focused on the presidential election — Democrats will also face off against Republicans in many down-ballot races across the US. One of those is the Congressional race in Palm Beach, Florida district where Donald Trump is registered to vote. The district is expected to favor Democratic incumbent Lois Frankel. While the DNC tonight had focused on the presidential election – Democrats will also face off against Republicans in many down-ballot races across the US. One of those is the congressional race in Palm Beach, Florida district where Donald Trump is registered to vote. The district is expected to favor Democratic incumbent Lois Frankel.
Nonetheless, Trump, tonight touted Laura Loomer, the right-wing commentator who was banned from Twitter and Facebook for hate speech against Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, who just won the Republican nomination there. Nonetheless, Trump, tonight touted Laura Loomer, the rightwing commentator who was banned from Twitter and Facebook for hate speech against Minnesota Democratic representative Ilhan Omar, who just won the Republican nomination there.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
After Jill Biden finished her speech tonight, Joe Biden joined her on screen to offer some kind words about what a wonderful first lady she would be.After Jill Biden finished her speech tonight, Joe Biden joined her on screen to offer some kind words about what a wonderful first lady she would be.
But some convention viewers noted that sweet moment got off to an awkward start, with Biden’s hand getting caught in the ear loops of her husband’s face mask.But some convention viewers noted that sweet moment got off to an awkward start, with Biden’s hand getting caught in the ear loops of her husband’s face mask.
Today, Joe Biden accepted the nomination that he first sought more than three decades ago.Today, Joe Biden accepted the nomination that he first sought more than three decades ago.
Biden’s first bid for the presidency, in the 80s, came to an end after a plagiarism scandal, after it was revealed that he pilfered parts of his closing arguments in debate from a British Labour party politician.Biden’s first bid for the presidency, in the 80s, came to an end after a plagiarism scandal, after it was revealed that he pilfered parts of his closing arguments in debate from a British Labour party politician.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
Tomorrow night, Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi will speak, Kamala Harris will formally accept the vice-presidential nomination and Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address.Tomorrow night, Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi will speak, Kamala Harris will formally accept the vice-presidential nomination and Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address.
You can find the full schedule here.You can find the full schedule here.
Now here’s more about that calamari cameo ...Now here’s more about that calamari cameo ...
The Providence Journal interviewed Joseph McNamara, the man lucky enough to appear alongside the calamari tonight and speak on behalf of Rhode Island’s delegates:The Providence Journal interviewed Joseph McNamara, the man lucky enough to appear alongside the calamari tonight and speak on behalf of Rhode Island’s delegates:
Joseph McNamara is the state’s Democratic party chairman.Joseph McNamara is the state’s Democratic party chairman.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
At the beginning of tonight’s roll call vote to formally nominate the Democratic candidate for president, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referenced the “wounds of racial injustice, colonization, misogyny, and homophobia” that the US must work to heal.At the beginning of tonight’s roll call vote to formally nominate the Democratic candidate for president, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referenced the “wounds of racial injustice, colonization, misogyny, and homophobia” that the US must work to heal.
As delegates from across the country cast their votes, the country’s legacy of colonialism was spotlighted as representatives from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands appeared on the screen.As delegates from across the country cast their votes, the country’s legacy of colonialism was spotlighted as representatives from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands appeared on the screen.
The five territories combined have allocated 151 delegates altogether. The US citizens in these territories will not be eligible to cast their votes for president in November.The five territories combined have allocated 151 delegates altogether. The US citizens in these territories will not be eligible to cast their votes for president in November.
American Samoans, who are considered “nationals” rather than full citizens, nonetheless pay into federal benefit programs. In the other territories, residents are considered citizens but don’t have the right to vote for president and are not represented in Congress. In the 1900s, the supreme court justified American occupation without representation by holding that the islands are “inhabited by alien races, differing from us in religion, customs, laws, methods of taxation, and modes of thought”.American Samoans, who are considered “nationals” rather than full citizens, nonetheless pay into federal benefit programs. In the other territories, residents are considered citizens but don’t have the right to vote for president and are not represented in Congress. In the 1900s, the supreme court justified American occupation without representation by holding that the islands are “inhabited by alien races, differing from us in religion, customs, laws, methods of taxation, and modes of thought”.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
Even Republicans are taking a moment to commend Jill Biden after the former second lady’s convention speech tonight.
Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally to the president, said in a tweet: “Tonight, Jill Biden did a very good job representing herself and Joe in the causes they believe in. She’s an outstanding person who has led a consequential life.”
Conservative commentator Erick Erickson also applauded Biden for the work she has done to help military families.
Former President Barack Obama congratulated Joe Biden of formally receiving the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Congrats, Joe. I’m proud of you,” Obama said in a tweet.
Biden’s accomplishment comes 12 years after Obama first accepted the Democratic nomination and named Biden as his running mate.
The second night of the virtual Democratic convention has now concluded, but the blog will have more reactions and analysis coming, so stay tuned.
“After our son Beau died of cancer, I wondered if I would ever smile or feel joy again,” Jill Biden said. “It was summer but there was no warmth left for me.”
She praised her husband’s resolve to continue working after the loss. “Four days after Beau’s funeral, I watched Joe shave and put on his suit. I saw him steel himself in the mirror, take a breath, put his shoulders back and walk out into a world empty of our son. He went back to work. That’s just who he is.”
– Maanvi Singh
Jill Biden said her husband, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, would provide “leadership worthy of this nation”.
“Worthy of you,” she told the Americans watching the virtual convention.
She promised that her husband’s election would ensure that classrooms would “ring out with laughter and possibility once again”.
“The burdens we carry are heavy, and we need someone with strong shoulders,” she said.
The former second lady promised a President Biden would “bring us together and make us whole, carry us forward in our time of need, keep the promise of America for all of us”.
Former second lady Jill Biden is now delivering her convention speech in support of her husband, Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Biden delivered her speech from a Delaware school where she used to teach English, and she used the setting to underscore the uncertainty surrounding schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“This quiet is heavy,” Biden said as she moved through the school. “You can hear the anxiety that echoes down empty hallways.”
As the wife of a career politician – this is Joe Biden’s third run for president – Jill Biden has often found herself in a tricky position, asked to defend her husband’s record.
This campaign cycle, she was asked to answer for her husband’s behavior during the Anita Hill hearings in 1991. “I watched the hearings like most other Americans, and so I mean, Joe said, as I did, we believed Anita Hill. He voted against Clarence Thomas. I mean, he’s called Anita Hill, they’ve spoken. He apologized for the way the hearings were run. And so now it’s – it’s time to move on,” she said in an NPR interview last year.
She’s been asked about how her husband has made women uncomfortable by touching them. For that as well, she has an answer.
“You know, I’ve been married to Joe for 42 years, and I’ve seen how he interacts with people – but times have changed,” she told Vogue magazine. “And he’s said, you know, ‘I’m going to take responsibility for this, I hear this,’ and he’s much more aware of how he interacts with people now.”
Journalists and political commentators have noted that she has been her husband’s fiercest defender on the campaign trail. Sometimes that’s meant literally.
When a protester rushed Joe Biden while he was delivering a campaign speech in early March, Jill Biden intercepted to protect her husband, while Biden’s senior adviser Symone Sanders carried the woman off stage.
– Maanvi Singh
Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, was featured in a video describing the friendship between her late husband and Joe Biden.
“It was a friendship that shouldn’t have worked,” the video began, before going on to describe the camaraderie between the two longtime senators.
After the video played, Biden tweeted: “John McCain was a good man, and a good friend. He made this country better. I miss him dearly.”
Dr Jill Biden is expected to speak in moments.
Jill Biden, who is Joe Biden’s wife of 43 years, is one of her husband’s closest advisers and his primary campaign surrogate, though she has said she never aspired to be in politics, let alone become a first lady. “I say that I’m apolitical – if that’s at all possible being married to Joe for 30 years,” she told NPR in 2008, the last time her husband ran for president.
An educator who has taught writing in high school and community colleges, Jill Biden has a doctorate in education – and maintained a teaching job though Joe Biden’s term as vice-president. She’s an advocate for military families, and for public education – championing community colleges in particular as “one of America’s best-kept secrets”.
When she met Joe Biden, in 1975, the two were introduced by his brother. Joe Biden was a Delaware senator at the time, and Jill was finishing her college degree at the University of Delaware.
Joe Biden was mourning the loss of his first wife, Neilia, and their one-year-old daughter, Naomi, who died in a car accident three years back. He was raising his two sons, Hunter and Beau, as a single father.
After they met, “[Jill] gave me back my life”, Joe Biden wrote in his memoir Promises to Keep. “She made me start to think my family might be whole again.”
– Maanvi Singh
Former secretary of state Colin Powell endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid, becoming one of the most prominent Republicans to do so.
“Today, we are a country divided, and we have a president doing everything in his power to make it that way and keep us that way,” Powell said in his video for the Democratic convention.
“What a difference it will make to have a president who unites us, who restores our strength and our soul.”
Powell’s endorsement is the latest attempt by the Biden campaign to reach out to centrist voters who supported Barack Obama before flipping to Trump in 2016.