Michelle Obama painted a dark picture of Donald Trump’s America Monday, telling Democratic National Convention viewers that the president lacks the empathy and character to govern. While he does that, he talks about, how Donald Trump is using his power to help himself and his own friends, while he does nothing for the American population. When my husband left office with Joe Biden at his side, we had a record-breaking stretch of job creation. Michelle Obama’s speech is only 14 minutes, which is an ideal amount of time to transfer emotion to an audience without overstaying your welcome. Senior officials have discussed removing Trump. A nation that’s underperforming not simply on matters of policy but on matters of character. Adding to the unusual, virtual character of this convention, Obama’s speech was recorded before Kamala Harris was selected as Biden’s running mate last Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the timing. His life is a testament to getting back up, and he is going to channel that same grit and passion to pick us all up, to help us heal and guide us forward. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal. Here is former First Lady Michelle Obama's speech, delivered Monday, on the first day of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. “Over the past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken,”… Learn More. As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are. You know how much I care about all of our children. She is married to the 44th president, who have endured much scrutiny just because of his skin color. Calling Joe Biden “a profoundly decent man,” Obama said she saw firsthand during the presidency of her husband how the job requires judgment, an appreciation of history, and a moral compass. Obama’s speech was a more pointed and more political one than her well-received speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, in which she employed her now well-known phrase “When they go low, we go high," without ever referring to then-candidate Donald Trump by name. But she added: “Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty.”. The speech was premiered on October 6, 2020. And his ability to learn and grow — we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for right now. And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies and mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free: the cold hard truth. Going high means standing fierce against hatred while remembering that we are one nation under God, and if we want to survive, we’ve got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences. Michelle Obama tells 'the cold hard truth' in a searing DNC keynote speech. Now, I understand that my message won’t be heard by some people. 301 certified writers online. Michelle Obama’s speech Monday night at the Democratic National Convention was the heart and soul of opening night. I know Joe. Published Mon, Aug 17 2020 10:48 PM EDT Updated Tue, Aug 18 2020 … “Over the past four years, a lot of people have asked me, ‘When others are going so low, does going high still work?’ My answer is that going high is the only thing that works,” she said. He wants all of our kids to be able to go to a movie or a math class without being afraid of getting shot. “It is what it is,” she added pointedly, a phrase Trump used to describe the state of the coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the U.S. Joe knows what it’s like to struggle, which is why he gives his personal phone number to kids overcoming a stutter of their own. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off a joint speech from their living room by excitedly congratulating the class of 2020, acknowledging that while graduating in the middle of a pandemic is certainly unexpected and … Duration: 18:26 8/18/2020. The latest: Congress affirms Biden’s presidential win following riot at U.S. Capitol, Graphic: How members of Congress voted on counting the electoral college vote, Live updates: Trump pledges ‘orderly transition’ after Biden is declared winner at the end of a violent day. Election results under attack: Here are the facts. In other words, the former First Lady of the United States joined the MTV Prom-athon – a virtual dance experience created just for the class of 2020! They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. It was a familiar convention role for the former first lady, who delivered uniquely personal speeches to three previous conventions, mixing meditations on character with the problems of everyday Americans. “I know Joe,” the former first lady said in the 19-minute video. He is a profoundly decent man, guided by faith. Maybe they were fed up. It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top. Former first lady Michelle Obama addressed Democrats on Aug. 17 during the first night of the Democratic National Convention. “And that’s not just disappointing, it’s downright infuriating.”. Former First Lady Michelle Obama anchored the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Monday night, kicking off a week that will culminate in the party’s nomination of Former Vice President Joe Biden for president. I am one of a handful of people living today who have seen firsthand the immense weight and awesome power of the presidency. And he will govern as someone who’s lived a life that the rest of us can recognize. Even when it all feels so overwhelming, working parents are somehow piecing it all together without child care. But her speech was uniquely personal, directly addressing people reluctant to tune into political speeches. We degrade ourselves. I’ve heard your stories. And through you, I have seen this country’s promise. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything, because as long as you come out on top, it doesn’t matter what happens to everyone else. And when the horrors of systemic racism shook our country and our consciences, millions of Americans of every age, every background rose up to march for each other, crying out for justice and progress. Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn’t be close. But I am here tonight because I love this country with all my heart, and it pains me to see so many people hurting. Here’s how that could work. He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic and lead our country. Believe me, I get that. But right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. Going high means taking the harder path. Intelligence Failures, Guard Delays Detailed in Riot Hearing, Biden Team Hunts for Tanden Votes as Senate Opposition Grows, Former Senator Perdue Won’t Run Against Warnock in Georgia, Biden Nominee Open to Using Trump-Era Order to Punish China. They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts. When he was a young senator, Joe lost his wife and his baby daughter. 25th Amendment: Senior officials have discussed removing Trump. She also talks about her upbringings as well as Barack’s. Full text of Michelle Obama’s ‘closing argument’ speech where she makes a final argument for Americans to support Joe Biden. Among the star-studded appearances included names like: LeBron James, Yara Shahidi, Malala Yousafzai, Zendaya, The Jonas Brothers, Kevin Hart, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, Megan Rapinoe, and Timothée Chalamet, just to name a few. Have a confidential tip for our reporters? Le malheur de la classe moyenne vient de là, pas de l'Obamacare. “He is a profoundly decent man guided by faith. Politics - News Analysis Trump Supporters Go Ballistic Over Michelle Obama’s Powerful Speech, ‘She’s a National Disgrace!’ By Jason Miciak August 18, 2020. But you also know that I care about this nation. But this is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning. Joe Biden wants all of our kids, no matter what they look like, to be able to walk out the door without worrying about being harassed or arrested or killed. Her speech echoed her convention addresses supporting her husband in 2008 and 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, but with the more intimate setting of a straight-to-camera web video without an audience. We degrade the very causes for which we fight. There’s a lot of beauty in that story. “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. SHARE. And when he was vice president, he lost his beloved son. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. Barack and Michelle Obama To Address Class of 2020. There’s a reason why … They can start wars or broker peace. Below is a transcript of her remarks as prepared for delivery. Michelle repudiates Barack’s core tenet of politics in urgent plea to boot Trump. And if we want a chance to pursue any of these goals, any of these most basic requirements for a functioning society, we have to vote for Joe Biden in numbers that cannot be ignored. Indledning The speech is epideictic, as Barack Obama is praising Joe Biden. Monday, she made a direct case for why voters should back Joe Biden and reject Trump and Trumpism, and warned of obstacles to voting by mail or in person. Click on the yellow highlights to see annotations with analysis from The Fix. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. You must do something.” That is the truest form of empathy: not just feeling, but doing; not just for ourselves or our kids, but for everyone, for all our kids. But let’s be clear: Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty. Because right now, folks who know they cannot win fair and square at the ballot box are doing everything they can to stop us from voting. “And he will govern as someone who has lived a life that the rest of us can recognize.”, Former first lady paints a dark picture of Trump’s America, Obama reprises her 2016 advice to ‘go high’ against attacks, Former First Lady Michelle Obama: Trump “is clearly in over his head.”. SHARE. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain. Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy. And he’d be the first to tell you that. And we have got to do everything we can to elect my friend, Joe Biden, as the next president of the United States. "Class of 2020, this is for you," said NBA star James, as he kicked off the event, which started at 8PM … Most of us practice this without a second thought. And it is well past time for our leaders to once again reflect our truth. We will write a custom Essay on Analysis of Obama’s Victory Speech specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page. We’d secured the right to health care for 20,000,000 people. Former first lady Michelle Obama's speech took on Trump and Trumpism more directly than she did in her well-received 2016 Democratic National Convention speech. Obama does it by carefully selecting her words and speaking in a chatty tone with many interjections. Here’s how that could work. He will tell the truth and trust science. He wants all our kids to grow up with leaders who won’t just serve themselves and their wealthy peers but will provide a safety net for people facing hard times. Analysis Of Michelle Obama's Speech On Education. Good evening, everyone. All those folks who sacrificed and overcame so much in their own times because they wanted something more, something better for their kids. They’re closing down polling places in minority neighborhoods. 2020 Conventions. I’ve met so many of you. You simply cannot fake your way through this job. Michelle Obama uses the language of her speech to help her get her message across. And then, make sure our friends and families do the same. Barack and Michelle Obama's Dear Class Of 2020 speeches were particularly inspiring, because they were all about reminding youth that they are at the center of bringing change in the world. Michelle Obama’s full speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Michelle vs. Melania On August 25th of the year 2008, Michelle Obama gave an outstanding speech at the Democratic National Convention. Michelle Obama had some great things to say to all the students graduating amid the quarantine and being unable to have a proper prom as a result. So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. In her speech she talks about her husband's progress in the election as well as his background, political experience, and social activism. “No, it reveals who you are.”, On Monday, she returned to that theme. And thanks to so many who came before me, thanks to their toil and sweat and blood, I’ve been able to live that promise myself. What’s our strategy? TWEET. And who we choose as our president in this election will determine whether or not we honor that struggle and chip away at that injustice and keep alive the very possibility of finishing that work. And four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn’t matter. And I know that regardless of our race, age, religion or politics, when we close out the noise and the fear and truly open our hearts, we know that what’s going on in this country is just not right. We have got to grab our comfortable shoes, put on our masks, pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast, too, because we’ve got to be willing to stand in line all night if we have to. He was a terrific vice president. And I know a lot of folks are reluctant to tune into a political convention right now or to politics in general. Internationally, we’ve turned our back, not just on agreements forged by my husband, but on alliances championed by presidents like Reagan and Eisenhower. Obama also recalled and updated her signature line from the 2016 campaign. In her speech, Michelle Obama delves into her autobiography as a child on the South Side of Chicago and as an adult working in the public service sector. So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. The virtual convention format proved tricky for many Democrats Monday night, but Michelle Obama showed there’s a way to nail it by veering away from what would normally work in an arena. Michelle has also been judged by her skin color, some going so far by portraying her as a monkey. And we’ve all been living with the consequences. They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe.