Obamas in the spotlight for night two of the DNC

The Democratic National Convention welcomed the politician Chicagoans love to claim, former President Barack Obama , on Tuesday night.

Why it matters: Because it's Obama. Where there's Obama, there are memories of his historic 2008 election night in Grant Park, the reunion of all the young idealists who worked on the campaign, and certainly, mentions of the much-awaited, and controversial , Obama Presidential Center.

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Driving the news: We were on the ground reporting updates from Axios House , the United Center and events around town.

Editor's note: This story was formerly a live blog and has been updated with developments and background throughout.

Gen Z voters say economy is top concern

Gen Z voters Everest Brown and Ashley Clark. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios

👋 Carrie here, a millennial hanging out with the Gen Z political group Voters of Tomorrow (VOT).

Driving the news: The group packed a South Loop coffee shop Tuesday morning for rousing speeches from Indianapolis' youngest council member and Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, who was the state's youngest state lawmaker.

Why it matters: There are an estimated 40 million eligible Gen Z voters, which includes ages 18-27, according to USA Today , and based on the folks I talked to, they are well informed and motivated to get their peers informed ahead of November.

The big picture: Issues driving the people I talked to were reproductive rights, student loan debt and economic instability.

Zoom in: Everest Brown, 20, started a VOT chapter at DePaul after Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

• "I felt very discouraged earlier this election, but then when the news broke that Biden was leaving the race and was passing the torch on to Kamala Harris, I felt a push to get energized," Brown told me.

Illinois delegates told to be on time tonight

Tuesday's breakfast for the Illinois delegation ended with an announcement imploring the delegates to be on time tonight to the United Center, since Monday night's security lines took hours to navigate.

Why it matters: Tonight is the ceremonial delegate roll call to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.

Who is Gov. Pritzker talking to?

"Donny Franks" and Gov. JB Pritzker. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

It's Stephen Colbert! In character as Chicago hot dog vendor Donny Franks.

• Franks — the late-night star wearing a wig, fake mustache, sunglasses and a Bulls hat — also interviewed U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and DNC chair Jaime Harrison at United Center on Sunday.

Colbert first went undercover as Donny Franks selling hot dogs during a Cubs game in 2016.

"The Late Show" is broadcasting live from Chicago during the DNC this week.

Mayor Brandon Johnson misses breakfast meeting, again

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton addresses the state delegation at a downtown hotel. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

The Illinois delegation spent Tuesday morning honoring organized labor, but the breakfast event was overshadowed by Mayor Brandon Johnson's absence.

The big picture: For the second straight day, Johnson opted to attend another state's breakfast instead of the one for Illinois. The morning event serves as a rallying moment for the state party.

Between the lines: Illinois Democrats seem to be split between Gov. JB Pritzker's state party and Johnson's coalition in Chicago.

• Johnson has sparred with Pritzker recently over migrant issues and Chicago public school funding.

The other side: "Mayor Johnson's top priority is ensuring a safe and vibrant convention while also promoting Chicago as a great place to live, work, visit, and do business," a spokesperson for Johnson's campaign said. "He has addressed several state delegation breakfasts and looks forward to speaking to his Illinois colleagues tomorrow."

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Mike Flannery at the DNC, but not reporting

Mike Flannery hangs out near media row at the United Center. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Mike Flannery, a longtime staple at political conventions, retired last year , but he's at the DNC this week doing analysis for WBBM radio.

What they're saying: "I reported for 50 years," Flannery told Axios while hanging out near the media row at the United Center. "But now? This is fun."

Flashback: Flannery's first political convention was the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit with Ronald Reagan at the top of the ticket. Since then, he's reported on several conventions for stations like CBS 2 and Fox Chicago.

Yes, but: Things were different then. Today, press have a harder time getting access, he says.

• "Back in the day, the 10 o'clock news was getting huge ratings. The politicians were afraid to f**k with us."
• "Now, the audience numbers aren't there and the politicians know it. So now it's a lot easier for them to shove you around on the floor."

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Michelle Obama shines star power on Harris campaign

A mural of Michelle Obama is displayed outside PERILLA fare. Photo: Joel Angel Juarez for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are set to speak at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, bringing their star power and deep-rooted influence within the party to the gathering's second night, Axios' Avery Lotz reports.

Why it matters: The former first lady, upon her return to her hometown of Chicago, remains one of the most popular — and powerful — galvanizing voices in the Democratic party, despite her longstanding dislike for highly partisan politics.

Zoom out: The Obamas characterized Harris as "a friend who we've known for more than 20 years" in their statement endorsing her last month.

Flashback: Michelle Obama has spoken at every DNC since 2008, when her husband was nominated.

• In 2020 , she received far more engagement online than any other speaker, according to NewsWhip data .
• Stories about her speech received five times more social media interactions than the estimated total for her husband, the next closest figure.
• At the 2016 convention, she coined the now-famous phrase , "When they go low, we go high," when reflecting on raising her then-young daughters in the White House.

Full story ... full list of tonight's speakers

Watch live: Axios' interview with Bill Daley

Axios House takes over RPM Events on the Chicago River. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Tune in here starting at 5:30pm CT for a primetime watch party from Axios House featuring conversations with The Hon. Gina Raimondo, New York Governor Kathy Hochul & former White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama William M. Daley.

Why the DNC migrant surge didn't happened

Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar talks to Axios' Niala Boodhoo Tuesday at Axios House. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

When it comes to the DNC, Chicago has so far lucked out with glorious weather, minimal protest disruptions and a non-existent migrant surge, despite Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's threats to keep sending buses.

What happened: Instead of being hit with busloads of up to 25,000 new migrants before the DNC, Chicago has seen its number of new migrants in shelters drop pretty consistently for months to some of the lowest levels in more than a year.

What they're saying: U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) attributes the low numbers to a couple of factors.

• "First, the administration has worked closely with Mexico, which has been heavy on enforcement and that had a massive impact," Escobar told Axios Tuesday after an Axios House event where she spoke.
• Plus: "President Biden's executive order (limiting border migration) has made an additional pretty significant impact and unfortunately for Greg Abbott, he doesn't have more vulnerable people to use as a political prop," she said.

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Police arrest 13 people during first day of DNC

Police arrested 13 people during protests on Monday, per the AP.

The protest crowd was much smaller than the anticipated 30,000. Chicago police estimated that 3,500 showed up, the AP reported Tuesday.

• The protest included about three hours of speeches at Union Park, followed by a march toward the United Center.
• The demonstration was primarily peaceful until some protesters started scaling and knocking down a fence that blocked off the United Center from the route.

Go deeper: Check out our photo gallery from the protest

Bill Daley wants new White Sox team

Former White House chief of staff Bill Daley speaks to Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann at Axios House on Tuesday. Photo: Taylor Glascock on behalf of Axios

Bill Daley, Chicago political royalty, spoke to Justin Kaufmann at Axios House tonight about the presidential race and his longtime involvement in politics — and also Chicago sports.

The intrigue: The Bridgeport native didn't hold back when talking about this year's sad White Sox.

What he's saying: "I don't really care about new stadiums. How about a new team?"

Go deeper: What Daley thinks about the Harris campaign

David Plouffe says Trump has "really lazy schedule"

Photo: Taylor Glascock on behalf of Axios

Former President Obama's campaign manager from 2008 is accusing Trump of mailing it in so far in 2024, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.

• David Plouffe, who's now advising the Harris campaign, said Trump "campaigned hard" in 2016 and "was out there a lot" in 2020, but he's got a "really lazy schedule" in 2024.
• Plouffe told Axios' Mike Allen today that Harris will campaign "much more vigorously" than Trump.

The other side: "David Plouffe is a has-been that nobody should ever listen to because he has some of the worst instincts in politics," Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Axios in a statement.

• "The fact is that President Trump has outworked every single person throughout this election cycle, and has held more rallies, fundraisers and political events than anyone else."

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Sen. Duckworth walks onto DNC stage for speech

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs in battle and usually uses a wheelchair, walked on prosthetics to the podium at the United Center to the roar of the Chicago crowd.

What they're saying: During her speech, she rallied against Donald Trump and Republicans over reproductive rights.

• "Every American has the right to be called Mommy or Daddy without being called a criminal," Duckworth said.

Gov. Pritzker brings Illinois delegation to their feet

Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Illinois delegation rose to their feet when Gov. JB Pritzker took the stage at his hometown arena.

The governor relished in his role as an attack-dog against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

• He finished his speech with a flourish, imploring delegates to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and extolling the virtues of the city of Chicago.

Michelle Obama emphasizes hope in DNC speech

Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Former First Lady Michelle Obama energized the United Center crowd quickly during her speech Tuesday night by referencing her husband's 2008 presidential campaign theme.

What she's saying: "America, hope is making a comeback," Obama said.

State of play: She continued her speech by listing Vice President Kamala Harris' accomplishments.

• "My girl is more than ready for this moment," Obama said.

The intrigue: She also took direct aim at former President Trump, who has said immigrants are taking "Black jobs."

• "Who's gonna tell him that the job he's seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?"

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Barack Obama keeps energy and humor up

Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama started Tuesday night's speech by acknowledging he had a tough gig of following his wife.

Driving the news: Obama praised President Biden, saying that his best decision once he was elected in 2008 was to tap Biden as his vice president, which incited the crowd to start chants of "Thank you, Joe!"

Zoom in: Obama warned that the country doesn't need another Donald Trump presidency.

• "We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse," Obama said.
• For some reason, the camera panned to Don Cheadle which may or may not be a sly swipe at "Ocean's 12."

The intrigue: The former president joked that Tim Walz is exactly who should be in politics — a small town former teacher whose Midwestern authenticity is clear from the casual clothes he wears.

The bottom line: Obama did what Obama does — he made sweeping but inspiring statements about the real meaning of democracy; valuing the differences in others; practicing honesty, integrity and hard work, and "the promise of America."

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