With less than 80 days until Election Day, you MUST keep yourself informed on the latest.
Last night (August 17) Democrats held the first night of the virtual convention (due to the pandemic). Their focus was unity. Here are the key moments you missed:
1. Michelle Obama
Former First Lady, or as some call her, Forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, who headlined the event, spoke about Donald Trump’s policies and character. She accused the White House of being chaotic, divided, and showing a “total and utter lack of empathy.” She reminded people that if they think things can’t get worse, they can and will and if we don’t make a change during this election. Michelle also said that during the pandemic, Trump wasn’t the president we needed him to be and warned that he will do anything to stay in power.
“We’ve got to be willing to stand in line all night (to vote) if we have to,” Obama said. “We have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.”
2. Bernie Sanders
Sen. Bernie Sanders, who also headlined the convention, spoke highly of Joe Biden. Bernie said “We need Joe Biden as our next president,” and warned that because of Trump, “authoritarianism has taken root in our country.”
“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 1.”
Then Bernie gave a list of reasons on how Joe will move the country forward like Joe’s support for $15 an hour minimum wage, reforming the criminal justice system, and education. Bernie also said Joe will end the hate and division Trump created in the country. Bernie added that Joe will “stop the demonization of immigrants, the coddling of white nationalists, the racist dog-whistling, the religious bigotry, and the ugly attacks on women.”
“To everyone who supported other candidates in the primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake. We must come together, defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president,”
3. Joe Biden
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden spoke with a panel of elected officials, community leaders and activists about police use of force and racial injustice in the country. The virtual panel had Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, who died in 2014 after a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold. Gwen asked Joe for more legislation on police brutality.
4. Andrew Cuomo
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke a lot on how Trump has caused more damage to the division in America while we’re fighting COVID-19.
“Covid is the symptom, not the illness. Our nation is in crisis, and in many ways, Covid is just a metaphor. A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it cannot defend itself. Over these past few years, America’s body politic has been weakened.” He went on to say,
“Our collective strength is exercised through government. It is, in effect, our immune system. And our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent.”
5. John Kasich/Republicans
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a “lifelong Republican” said that his responsibility to this country holds is more important than his political preference and said under “normal times” he wouldn’t have appeared. “That’s why I’ve chosen to appear at this convention. In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times.” Instead of name dropping Trump (who earlier this week called Kasich a loser), Kasich spoke on how the administration divided the country which is why he’s choosing Biden for president. He called Biden “a good man, a man of faith, a unifier.”
Day 2 of the convention is tonight from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. EST. Watch the live stream.
Remember you can always visit Earn My Vote for tools on how to navigate through this election. Voting by mail is the safest option right now due to the pandemic but you should VOTE EARLY! When We All Vote is a great resource to get you started.