UPDATE, 6:15 PM: “To everyone in Chicago and across America, thank you,” proclaimed Kamala Harris tonight from Milwaukee as Democratic National Convention almost unanimously declared the Vice President their party’s White House nominee in a rockin’ ceremonial roll call.
In a new unconventional twist, the convention went split screen and then a cut to the VP and running mate Governor Tim Walz at a packed rally in the Wisconsin city proved the first look at the candidate on Day 2 of the DNC.
“We are so honored to be your nominees,” Harris said live to the tens of thousands of Democrats in the United Center and the millions watching at home. “This is a people powered campaign, and together, we will charge a new way forward, a future for freedom, opportunity of optimism and faith.”
Harris and Walz were onstage at a jam packed Fiserv Forum, the location of the Republican National Convention last month.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom poses for a selfie during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Already confirmed as the nominee in a virtual roll call earlier this month, Harris saw her home state of California given the prize spot of being last to vote for her. In an slightly awkward homage to the true power in the Democratic Party, Golden State Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the California delegate court as coming from the “the great state of Nancy Pelosi.”
A constant presence the past few days in Chicago, the former House Speaker was nowhere to be seen on the convention floor as Tupac and Dr. Dre’s iconic ‘California Love’ blasted out.
CNN, the BBC and MSNBC all stayed on the VP’s brief remarks from the battleground state. As they have both yesterday and today, Fox News went with a split screen of their own to show anti-Gaza War protestors in the streets of the Illinois metropolis.
Unlike the primetime busting schedule of August 19, Harris will not be at the DNC today. However, her husband and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be addressing the delegates, as will Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) Former First Lady and ex-POTUS Michelle Obama and Barack Obama are the scheduled headliners in a night that Dems promise to keep more on schedule than last night. Walz will be taking the stage in Michelle Obama’s hometown tomorrow as will Bill Clinton. Kamala Harris will deliver her acceptance speech on August 22 the closing day of the DNC
PREVIOUSLY 5:24 PM – EXCLUSIVE As delegates are holding a ceremonial roll call Tuesday to nominate Kamala Harris — perhaps the first with a DJ’s soundtrack — the vice president will be giving a speech in Milwaukee.
Expect a split screen moment, including Harris beamed into the United Center from the must-win Badger State, according to a source in the campaign. Networks also are expected to provide some coverage of Harris’ address.
In the United Center, each seat was fitted with blinking lights as each state was called. Harris was officially nominated in a virtual roll call earlier this month, so this is ceremonial. Producers instead staged a much more jamming proceeding, with celebrities such as Sean Astin announcing the votes for Indiana and Wendell Pierce for Louisiana. When Georgia announced its vote, Lil Jon made a surprise performance in the aisles.
With some Dr. Dre likely, California, Harris’ home state, is expected to put Harris over the top, with Gov. Gavin Newsom announcing the tally.
