CHICAGO—Towards the end of a brief acceptance speech as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz unveiled a vision that appeared to entail greater state support, or control, on economic issues and less state involvement on social issues.
Walz's speech closed out the third night of the DNC with a gesture to the left wing of the Democrats, who helped push for his selection as Harris’s running mate.
CHICAGO—Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to accept the party's nomination for vice president.
“It’s the honor of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States,” Walz said, thanking Vice President Kamala Harris for naming him as her running mate.
CHICAGO—During a surprise late-night appearance at the Democratic National Convention, daytime TV star Oprah Winfrey said that “there is no American dream” without access to abortion.
Winfrey cited personal stories about abortion related to the convention over the previous three days, including harrowing experiences related to rape, incest, or a medical threat to the mother’s life.
CHICAGO—Former President Bill Clinton sought to contrast Vice President Kamala Harris with her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
“Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will … and yes, the sheer joy to get something done,” Clinton said.
CHICAGO—Former President Bill Clinton praised President Joe Biden’s decision to step down during his address at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night.
“He did something that’s really hard for a politician to do—he voluntarily gave up political power,” Clinton said.
CHICAGO—Music legend Stevie Wonder urged peace, love, and understanding, coupled with swift political action before his performance at the Democratic National Convention.
“Every song that I’ve sung, every song that I’ve written is because of my love for you right here,” he said, adding that he prays for the peace of nations and individual hearts.
CHICAGO—Attendees at the Democratic National Convention chanted “bring them home” as the parents of a young man being held hostage by Hamas addressed the crowd.
CHICAGO—David Hovde, a representative of the pro-Palestinian “Christians for Ceasefire,” explained to The Epoch Times why he believes Christians should back a cease-fire in Gaza.
“Palestinians are human beings … and they’re being treated as if they’re subhuman,” Hovde said. “I think we need to wake up and stop arming Israel—God loves everyone.”
CHICAGO—A self-described “yippie” at the pro-Palestinian demonstrations near the Democratic National Convention praised the Chicago Police Department’s handling of protests that became violent Tuesday night.
The man, who identified himself as “Captain Joint,” said he was involved in the often-intense left-wing protests that marked the late 1960s and early 1970s. At the time, members of the Youth International Party were often called "yippies."
CHICAGO—Movie legend Spike Lee made his presence felt at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago—appearing during his home state of New York’s roll call on the second night and seen on his way into the event on Aug. 21.
He said Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is one for the record books and noted a need to keep the momentum to achieve victory in November.
CHICAGO—As Democrats at the DNC make their case for how Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz can attract independent voters, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) told The Epoch Times that a focus on compassionate projects such as affordable housing could bridge that gap.
“I do believe that people are willing to do, perhaps, what they haven't done before and vote for a team that comes with a good background … a record of having done good for people and understanding,” Waters said.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will address the country on Aug. 23 amid mounting speculation that the candidate will drop out.
On Aug. 21, the principal campaign committee, Team Kennedy, announced that Kennedy would speak to the nation live on Aug. 23 about the “present historical moment and his path forward.”
The announcement of the address was made a day after his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said the campaign is considering dropping out and endorsing former President Donald Trump.
CHICAGO—A congressman serving on the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence committees highlighted during an Aug. 21 press conference what he believes are flaws in the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and suggested that a prospective Harris presidency could jeopardize national security.
“The world is in chaos,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) said. “This is not day one for Kamala Harris. This is year four, and she owns every one of the bad decisions that has the Middle East on fire and China on the march in the South China Sea threatening our allies.”
CHICAGO—Superintendent Larry Snelling of the Chicago Police Department estimated that 55 to 60 people were arrested during Tuesday night’s protests outside the Israeli consulate.
“Last night was a danger to our city and a danger to our citizens,” Snelling told reporters during a joint press conference with other local and federal authorities. “We attempted to avoid the clash to no avail.”
He said the exact number of arrests will be provided later.
CHICAGO—James Hepworth, a delegate from the southern Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley, will be among thousands of DNC delegates to witness Gov. Tim Walz’s speech accepting the vice presidential nomination on Aug. 21.
Hepworth has known Walz for a long time. Six years ago, when Hepworth was in intensive care recovering from a heart attack, he received a call from Walz.
“My family’s all there with me, and my telephone rings and it’s Tim Walz, ‘Jim, are you OK?’” Hepworth told The Epoch Times from the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 20.
In the first month with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the party’s ticket, the Democratic Party seized the fundraising lead from the Republican Party.
On Aug. 20, committees affiliated with the United States’ major political parties published financial disclosures covering their July activities.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show that the main Democratic bodies collectively raised about $63.3 million during the month, while the main Republican committees raised about $59.6 million.
CHICAGO—Democratic Party delegates from across the country officially selected Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee on day two of the convention in Chicago.
The packed crowd in the United Center heard from former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and two notable Republicans who crossed party lines to endorse Harris this year.
As Democrats cheered their leaders in the arena, protesters continued to clash with police, resulting in multiple arrests as a frantic atmosphere brewed throughout the streets.
CHICAGO—Former President Barack Obama endorsed Kamala Harris’s presidential bid at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Aug. 20, adding to the backing offered by Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden.
“The torch has been passed,” Obama said, referring to Biden’s exit from the race in favor of Harris. “Now it’s up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in.”
“America is ready for a new chapter,” Obama said. “America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
CHICAGO—A pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago led to violent clashes and arrests on the evening of Aug. 20, day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
The demonstration, organized by the group Behind Enemy Lines, marks a non-permitted escalation in the conflict between mainstream Democrats and pro-Palestinian activists. The latter objects to the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas.
In the hours leading up to the first outbreak of violence, hundreds of protestors had gathered near downtown Chicago outside Accenture Tower, the home of the Israeli consulate. Chants of “intifada,” an Arabic word for rebellion or uprising, were heard among the crowd. Another chant, “The whole world is watching!” deliberately recalled the 1968 Democratic National Convention, also held in Chicago.