Michelle Obama spoke on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, followed by her husband. The pair winked at the middle class and didn’t hold back on criticizing Trump
There was “a kind of Benfica-Porto” on the other side of the Atlantic on Tuesday night. Barack and Michelle Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in the United States and did something “unforgettable” and unimaginable a few months ago: they “legalized” Kamala Harris.
“It’s an extraordinary moment of politics and influence in a conference that usually falls short,” says Professor José Aceredo Lopes. There are “rare times,” he says, “when you see such a rallying speech” — not even Joe Biden, whose “beautiful speech” comes close.
For a CNN Portugal commentator, Barack Obama “did very well”, especially since “he doesn’t know how to say bad things”. But the big “surprise” — or, better, “confirmation” — was Michelle Obama. “He gave a speech remarkable for its seriousness and for proving that he could be politically effective without descending into scandal. He spoke to people, he was extraordinarily gifted at speaking to people’s hearts without necessarily being black,” he analysed.
Not only did the couple live up to expectations, but they were “above” expectations – starting with the fact that they talked to each other. With a “very strong wink,” the Obamas were able to give Kamala Harris something she lacked: a “connection” to the middle class. Michelle Obama noted the middle-class values she shared with Kamala Harris, saying they would never “benefit from affirmative action on generational wealth,” a stark contrast to Donald Trump.
This did not go unnoticed by Aceredo Lopes. “Two very well-educated people who rose by merit and brought to the political discourse for the first time, people like Kamala, who brought opposition for the first time between the spoiled billionaires who had everything, as opposed to the belligerents, like Americans in general. “They spend their lives paying off student loans for everything they have,” he explains.
According to a CNN Portugal commentator, these are “fundamental values” in North American society. Separating the “corrupt” Donald Trump from the “worthy” would be “an enormous political contribution” to the campaign of the new Democratic nominee for the White House, he says.
From using the phrase “strange” (strange, in Portuguese translation) “neighbor with a leaf blower” to continuing attacks on Donald Trump, who “returned as an example in the eyes of the Democratic Party”, according to Azeredo Lopes, the couple “erased Kamala’s blackness with a pen” – the Republican candidate One of the most used weapons in his attacks against his enemy.
“Strictly speaking, when we look at the speech, there is speech of many races, which shows that this America exists, that Trump is the enemy of America”, admits political scientist Jorge Bodelho Moniz, who admits that he does not know. “A lot of attention” given to an opponent is “necessarily a good thing”.
But is there something missing from these two “unforgettable” speeches? “That’s impossible”, admits Aceredo Lopes. Even Michelle Obama’s passing of her husband’s briefcase was noteworthy to the commentator. “It doesn’t sound naive when she says she’s giving the platform to ‘the love of my life’. They establish a contrast with Donald Trump’s personal life, which is very turbulent due to recent cases. They say they’re a wonderful couple, they love each other – it’s a very interesting point of view”, He analyzes.
Jorge Botelho Moniz was not so positive. A political science expert guarantees that Michelle Obama will give Kamala Harris “an added asset” and give the candidate “an edge” she didn’t have before when the former US first lady was “more popular for politics” when it comes to publicly voicing her support. War on Trump”. “My girl Kamala Harris is ready for this moment. “One of the most qualified people ever to run for president, he’s very qualified,” said Michelle Obama.
However, the commentator believes the Obamas “focused too much on the issue of multiracial and minority issues,” leaving “the economy, rural America, and white America to the background” — themes he says are also great. Suitability for Americans.
However, the balance of the two commentators is positive. “The Democratic Party no longer has speakers of this quality. It’s a very strong race in this second day of the convention,” highlights Azeredo Lopes. And Kamala Harris was the only one to benefit. “I don’t know if they’re the most popular couple in America, but they shouldn’t be far from it. By osmosis, Kamala has almost as much popularity, despite being one of the last representatives of Kamala. Give her support, it may be due to some doubt or put the cherry on the cake,” says Jorge Botelho Moniz.
All this leads to an “almost miracle”. “Democrats are so excited, it’s almost a miracle. A month ago they were counting the deaths and injuries and saying that Joe Biden had lost the battle because of the chaos and terrible debate on June 27. When Biden strongly appointed Kamal, everyone had doubts. It was a big Surprise”, guaranteed Aceredo Lopes.
A CNN Portugal commentator thinks the Democratic Party is “following a very, very good strategy”: “saving Kamala as much as possible in these fights and letting others do it with class”. When Michelle and Barack Obama did so, Kamala was tens of thousands of kilometers away at a rally in Wisconsin that, like the Democratic National Convention, had a large audience in “another show of force.”
Adding to the wonder of Democrats’ legitimacy was Kamala Harris, who took time to voice her support when Joe Biden nominated Barack Obama as the new candidate for the White House. “After a very long hesitation by Obama who took more than a week to greet Kamal, he justified Kamal. It was finally legalized and this little sin is now forgiven,” assures Aceredo Lopes.
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