Former US president is expected to lay out ‘what’s at stake’ and why Harris-Walz should lead the country.
Former United States President Barack Obama is set to take the stage of the Democratic National Convention in a show of support for Kamala Harris in her 11th-hour bid to become the country’s next president in November’s election.
Obama posted on social media that his convention address on Tuesday night would lay out “what’s at stake” and why Harris and her running mate Tim Walz “should be our next president and vice president”.
The first Black American ever elected to the White House, 63-year-old Obama retains massive influence and is a celebrated orator.
He has thrown his considerable political capital behind Harris as she seeks to make history on November 5 and become the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to be elected president.
Obama was preceded on stage in Chicago by his wife Michelle, who walked into the packed auditorium to raucous applause, cheers and whistles.
“Hope is making a comeback,” she said.
Obama will outline what he believes will lift Harris to victory while also warning Democrats about the tough task they face over the next 11 weeks, a source familiar with the remarks told the Reuters news agency.
The former first lady also spoke of the need for the country to turn the page on fear and division.
Rival Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, are also barnstorming key battleground states this week in a bid to steer attention away from the convention in Chicago.
Republicans who have left the party, including Trump’s former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and former Trump voter Kyle Sweetser, also addressed the Democrat convention on Tuesday.
