Bernie Sanders wins the applause of the night at the Democratic convention by insisting that the country needs An economy that works for everyone

▲ Former President Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and Senator Bernie Sanders were three of the speakers yesterday, on the second day of the Democratic National Convention, which is taking place in Chicago.Afp Photo

David Brooks and Jim Cason

Correspondents

The newspaper La Jornada
Wednesday, August 21, 2024, p. 24

Chicago. On the second day of its national convention, the Democratic Party continued with a lineup of speakers who sought to appeal to the broadest possible range of voters, through the elegant rhetoric of former President Barack Obama and the anti-corporate speech of democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders.

On a night that included several speakers, from Senate leader Chuck Schumer to the first second knight in the country’s history, who hopes to be the first First Gentleman Doug Emhoff (husband of presidential candidate Kamala Harris), one of those who won the most applause was Sanders, who has never wavered in his message, which he reiterated here: We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the billionaire class.

Speaking to both the estimated 20 million watching the convention on television and the supporters in the arena, Sanders praised the accomplishments of the Biden administration, proclaiming: We are doing the groundwork to elect Kamala Harris and Tim WalzBut, showing his political talent, he left them with a task.

He recalled that 60 percent of the country’s population continues to live fortnight by fortnight. He insisted on the unfinished progressive agenda of raising taxes on the rich, expanding access to health care for seniors, raising the minimum wage and reforming the electoral system so that billionaires They cannot buy elections.

Criticizes support for Israel in its war on Gaza

Sanders concluded his speech with a critique of US support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the first speaker to do so. We must end this horrific war in Gaza, return the hostages and demand an immediate ceasefire.he said to applause.

But the focus last night was not the oligarchs and economic injustice, but the spectacle designed for the Democratic aristocracy: Barack Obama and his wife – always among the most popular figures in the country – Michelle, whose best seller sold more than 14 million copies, surpassing that of her husband. The words of hope and they resounded with love without much content, but they enthused the public.

Barack Obama crowned the evening, introduced by his wife, and once again, with his grace and refined political talent, took the convention into his hands. This will be a very close race in a divided country.he declared. The people who will decide this election are the ones asking: Who is fighting for me, for my future, for my children?

The former president criticized the failures of Donald Trump’s government and his conduct since leaving the White House, but perhaps what provoked the greatest applause – and laughter – was when he pointed out that the Republican has this weird obsession with audience sizewhile with his hands he made a small gesture of something else that everyone understood.

Our task is to convince people that democracy can really deliver. To do so we cannot rely only on the ways of the past, but we have to chart a new path forward.he said, saying new policies on access to housing, health care and education are needed. “In this new economy, we need a president who really cares about the millions of people who do the essential work of caring for our sick, those who clean our streets… Kamala will be that person.”

He reiterated some of the central themes of his own government, focusing on freedom both at home and abroad. “No nation, no society has ever attempted to build a democracy as large and diverse as ours, one that includes people who over decades have come from every corner of the globe. When we stand up for our values, the world is a little brighter. When we don’t, the world is a little darker. We should not be the world’s policeman… but America should be a force for good.” He made no reference to U.S. support for Israel’s war on Gaza or other war-mongering policies.

The fundamental thing is to promote voting

However, for this convention, the fundamental task is to promote voting. If we knock on doors, make calls, talk to our neighbors, we will elect Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States.he stressed. We will also build a more just and equal country. Let’s get to workhe concluded.

The shift in the race since Biden dropped out of the race to be replaced by Harris is generating greater energy within the party ranks, with the polls showing Democrats tied or even leading in some key states and nationally celebrated. But several of the speakers – including the candidate – continue to warn about how close the race for the White House and both chambers of Congress is.

In fact, Harris decided to go on a campaign tour in Wisconsin, one of the key states that could determine the presidential election, instead of staying here and listening to her husband. The message is that there are only 11 weeks before the election in which she faces what everyone here considers not only an opponent, but an enemy of democracy.