Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday evening as the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago comes to a close. In her address, Harris and lay out her vision for the United States. On Wednesday night, Minnesota Gov.
Tim Walz officially accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for vice president, and the former schoolteacher : "It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. But we’re on offense, and we’ve got the ball.
We’re driving down the field. And, boy, do we have the right team. Kamala Harris is tough.
Kamala Harris is experienced. And Kamala Harris is ready.” Tonight's events will be streamed on YouTube, and you can watch it on cable or streamers such as Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock and Max.
Yahoo News will live-blog primetime speeches and provide analysis and key takeaways afterward. Our extensive partner network will also provide breaking news and analysis. Stick with us for full coverage.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama spoke at the DNC on Tuesday night, making an impassioned plea for voters to support Vice President Kamala Harris. But the Obamas aren't the only former first families supporting the Democratic presidential nominee. Every living Democratic president, , showed up one way or another to express their support of Harris this week at the DNC.
Former President Bill Clinton criticized former President Donald Trump for being divisive, among other things, while former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she believes Harris will shatter the "highest, hardest glass ceiling" that she only cracked in 2016. Even former President Jimmy Carter relayed remarks through his grandson to the DNC from his home in Georgia where the 99-year-old is in hospice care. "My grandfather can't wait to vote for Kamala Harris," Jason Carter said.
The grandson of former President John F. Kennedy took the stage to support Harris, likening her to his grandfather. "Once again, the torch has been passed to a new generation," Jack Schlossberg said, "to a leader who shares my grandfather's energy, vision and optimism for our future.
" Vice President Kamala Harris has joined her husband, Doug Emhoff, and his ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, in co-parenting their two kids, Cole Emhoff and Ella Emhoff. "Momala" is what Cole and Ella have affectionately nicknamed their stepmom. When Republicans for not having biological children of her own, Kerstin swept in to defend the vice president, telling , "These are baseless attacks.
For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I. She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it.
" This week, Kerstin has been at the DNC supporting Harris, even posting a picture with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling told reporters on Thursday that there was a "pretty large protest" at Union Park on Wednesday near the United Center, where the DNC is being held.
Snelling said no arrests were made and no one was injured, including police officers. "It shows that when you have some type of contact and collaboration with those who are organizing that you can have a peaceful First Amendment gathering, and that’s what happened yesterday," Snelling told reporters. "Did we have a couple of dustups? Sure.
But those things were quickly rectified." The Uncommitted National Movement started a sit-in outside of the United Center in Chicago Wednesday night after the DNC denied their request to have a Palestinian speaker on stage. About 40 delegates from the movement and their supporters refuse to get up until someone from the DNC changes their mind, on Thursday.
They were briefly joined by Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, while New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her support for the movement , urging the DNC to allow them a slot.
While the DNC sanctioned a panel on Monday inside the convention center on Palestinian and Arab issues, the group continues to push for a more prominent stage. The Uncommitted National Movement started during the Democratic presidential primary to withhold votes to President Biden over his administration's support for Israel's offensive in Gaza. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary Thursday.
When Emhoff spoke at the DNC on Tuesday, he shared an anecdote about when he called Harris for the first time trying to set up their blind date. "Never in history has anyone suggested 8:30 a.m.
And yet, that’s when I dialed. I got Kamala’s voicemail, and I just started rambling," Emhoff recalled. "'Hey, it’s Doug.
I’m on my way to an early meeting. Again, it's Doug..
.'" he quipped, reenacting the voicemail. "By the way, Kamala saved that voicemail, and she makes me listen to it on every anniversary.
" Emhoff on Thursday posted a tribute to his wife on social media to celebrate the occasion, hours before she will formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the DNC. Will the DNC hear the voicemail? Time will tell. Ten years of marriage, forever to go.
Happy anniversary, . I love you. — Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) Vice President Kamala Harris's family members have been making appearances at the DNC in Chicago this week and on social media.
Here's an overview of the "big, beautiful, blended family," as on Tuesday evening: Harris's husband, 59, who is currently the first "second gentleman" of the U.S. If Harris is elected president, he would become America's first "first gentleman.
" The 25-year-old is Harris's stepdaughter and daughter of Doug Emhoff and his first wife, Kerstin. He is the 29-year-old stepson of Harris. He is also the son of Emhoff and his first wife.
Cole and Ella both call Harris "Momala." Doug Emhoff's former wife, 57, and mother of Ella and Cole. She is the vice president's younger sister, 57, and only sibling.
Harris's brother-in-law, 59, who is married to Maya Harris. Nieces and nephews of Harris I swear Gwen Walz is about to be a national icon. — Nate Morris 🥥🌴 (@_natemorris) Minnesota Gov.
Tim Walz's family played a big role in his acceptance speech for the Democratic vice presidential nomination Wednesday night at the DNC and were the of the evening. Walz's two kids, Hope, 23, and Gus, 17, along with his wife Gwen cried with pride as the former football coach and teacher took the stage as thousands in the United Center in Chicago cheered raising "Coach Walz" signs. Walz shared the struggle he and Gwen went through to have children, saying it took "years" even with the help of fertility treatments.
“And when our daughter was born, we named her Hope,” Walz said. Gwen made a heart sign with her hands to her husband and said, "I love you." “Gus, Hope, and Gwen, you are my entire world, and I love you,” Walz said, prompting his son Gus to give his dad a standing ovation, proudly telling the crowd, "That's my dad!" The Chicks will perform the national anthem Thursday night at the DNC, .
Formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, the country group also performed the national anthem at the virtual 2020 DNC. As CNN notes, "The band's past ..
. has infamously intertwined with politics." Before the U.
S.'s invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Chicks' lead singer said at a concert that the group, which started in Texas, did not support the war and were "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." The Chicks immediately faced backlash for the remarks, and some radio stations pulled their music.
Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would welcome independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement.
Kennedy is set to make a speech on Friday about his campaign's future; multiple and that he's weighing backing the Republican nominee. Kennedy, a scion of arguably America's most storied Democratic family, began the race in the Democratic primary before pursuing the independent run. "I've known him for a long time," Trump said in a Fox News interview.
"As you know, he's a little different kind of a guy. Very smart guy. He's a very good person.
If he endorsed me, I would be honored by it. I would be very honored by it. He really has his heart in the right place.
He is a respected person. Women love some of his policies. And I guess some people don't like some of his policies.
" Tim Walz's son, Gus, teared up on Wednesday night as his dad spoke onstage to accept the vice presidential nomination. Walz was talking about his family's struggle with infertility when he told Gus, 17; his daughter, Hope, 23; and wife, Gwen: "You are my entire world, and I love you." Gus immediately pointed toward his dad onstage, choking up.
He stood up, clapped and appeared to mouth the words: "That's my dad." You know you’ve done well as a parent when your kids are as proud of you as Gus and Hope are of Tim Walz. “That’s my dad.
” No three words better describe our next Vice President. — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) Actress Kerry Washington is the host for the final night of the DNC, days after her former co-star Tony Goldwyn helmed the first night of the convention. on her political background: Washington is a longtime political activist and co-founder of political nonprofit Influence Change.
She supported former President Barack Obama's re-election campaign at the 2012 DNC and campaigned for current President Joe Biden at the 2020 convention. Giving the people what they want — kerry washington (@kerrywashington) The day’s theme will be “For Our Future.” It’s unclear how this differs from Tuesday’s theme, “A Bold Vision for America's Future” — but expect Democrats to keep claiming, as they have all week, that Vice President Kamala Harris offers a “new way forward” while former President Donald Trump just wants to “take us back.
” Harris will headline with her acceptance speech; other will include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an ex-Republican, and actress Kerry Washington.
The third night of the DNC ended with Tim Walz accepting the VP nomination. In anticipation of tomorrow night, when Harris will accept the presidential nomination, Walz concluded his speech praising Harris. “No matter who you are, Kamala Harris is going to stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life that you want to lead," he said.
"Because that is what we want for ourselves and it is what we want for our neighbors." In his speech at the DNC on Wednesday, Walz began outlining the Harris campaign's priorities should they defeat Trump in the November election. "I think we owe it to the American people to tell them exactly what she'd do as president before we ask them for their votes.
So this is the part, clip and save it and send it to your undecided relatives so that they know," Walz said, before listing a series of proposals, none of which were particularly fleshed out: "If you're a middle class family or a family trying to get into the middle class, Kamala Harris is going to cut your taxes." "If you're getting squeezed by prescription drug prices, Kamala Harris is going to take on Big Pharma." "If you're hoping to buy a home, Kamala Harris is going to help make it more affordable.
" "And, no matter who you are, Kamala Harris is going to stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life that you want to lead." During his remarks on freedom, Walz said, "While other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours." He's referencing the Free School Meals for Kids bill that he signed that went into effect in July 2023.
The legislation gives state reimbursement funds to provide free breakfast and lunches to all students at schools that opt into the program. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday and thanked Vice President Kamala Harris "for putting your trust in me.
" "It's the honor of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States," Walz said, before hitting on one of the night's rhetorical themes: "Thank you for bringing the joy to this fight." Walz used his speech to introduce himself to a country that has just begun to get familiar with his background as a teacher, coach, military veteran and governor. "Never underestimate a public school teacher," Walz said.
Joined by percussionist Sheila E., John Legend closed out the performances for night three of the DNC with a tribute to Prince. The EGOT-winning artist brought the crowd to their feet with a rendition of "Let's Go Crazy" from the late "Purple Rain" rocker's sixth studio album.
Earlier on Wednesday, Legend spoke of Harris on , saying: "She is eminently qualified to be president. And then she also has the right character traits I think to be a great president, which means she cares about people's lives, wants government to work for people and improve their lives." Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, took a moment at the beginning of his speech to slam JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president.
"Don't even get me started on his running mate. At least Mike Pence was polite. JD Vance is one of those guys who thinks if you don't live the life he has in mind for you, you don't count," he said.
“Choosing a guy like JD Vance to be America’s next vice president sends a message, and the message is that they are doubling down on negativity and grievance, committing to a concept of campaigning best summed up in one word: darkness." Buttigieg's speech attempted to dismantle this perception that politics is "dark" and instead talked about a "better kind of politics" that's possible with the Harris-Walz ticket. "This November, we get to choose," Buttigieg said.
"Choose our president, choose our policies and, most of all, choose a better politics — a politics that calls us to our better selves and offers us a better everything. That is what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent." Buttigieg was also said to be a finalist for Kamala Harris’s VP pick.
The former South Bend, Ind., mayor is a military veteran, a Rhodes Scholar and the openly gay, married father of two adopted children. As a abinet member in the Biden administration, he has regularly appeared as a guest on Fox News, articulating Democratic policy positions.
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