DNC focus shifts toward America’s future as Obamas to speak

( NewsNation ) — Democrats head into Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago after an emotional speech by President Joe Biden and a surprise appearance on stage by Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.

But after Biden’s speech ended early Tuesday morning on the East Coast, the Democrats said they were moving their Tuesday programming up 30 minutes to start at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The speech from Biden offered a spirited celebration of what the president sees as his big achievements, plus several attacks on the GOP presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, who Biden labeled a “loser.”

But now that Biden has addressed the more than 5,000 delegates and nearly 50,000 people in attendance, the week’s full focus turns to Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz .

The Democratic Party and its leaders aim to argue why their new nominee is best suited to be in the White House over Trump.

‘A bold vision for America’s future’

The DNC’s theme for Tuesday is “A bold vision for America’s future,” a defined pivot toward a new generation of Democrats and their leadership.

In laying out their plans for the week, convention organizers described Tuesday night as a way to contrast what they characterized as Harris’ forward-looking strategy with Trump’s less positive outlook on America’s future.

Democrats also plan to showcase “everyday Americans” and some performers each night, in addition to the elected officials and party leaders. Plus, the Harris campaign also said it will be featuring some GOP members “front and center” on why they are supporting Harris over Trump.

Among those being featured this week is Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House press secretary and former chief of staff to Melania Trump. Grisham is slated to speak at the DNC this week, a Harris campaign aide confirmed.

Grisham resigned from the Trump administration shortly after the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021.

She will not be the only Republican to address the gathering, and it’s unclear when she will take the stage.

Who’s speaking Tuesday?

Former President Barack Obama is slated to headline Tuesday night, following an address by his wife and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama has addressed every party convention since her husband was nominated in 2008, with her previous addresses all garnering prime speaking slots, according to Axios.

According to the Harris campaign, Michelle Obama is expected to argue how Harris’ experiences and values make her qualified to serve as president. Her husband, Harris campaign officials said, will focus on what Democrats need to do to defeat Trump in the general election.

In addition to the Obamas, Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is also scheduled to give his speech Tuesday night. Emhoff, the nation’s first second gentleman, would also be the first man to be first gentleman if Harris is elected president.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who was briefly considered a potential running mate to Harris, is also expected to address delegates at the convention Tuesday night.

Harris leading Trump in polls

Just one month after Biden dropped out of the presidential race and Harris took his place, the Democratic presidential hopeful continues to lead her Republican opponent in the polls.

According to the latest national polling average from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ , Harris leads Trump 49.4% to 46.4%.

Harris became the official nominee of the Democratic Party on Aug. 2 following a virtual roll call in which she secured enough delegates to get the nomination.

However, California will deliver the delegates necessary for Harris to win the party nomination Tuesday in a ceremonial roll call by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a source familiar with the plan confirms to NewsNation.

Newsom will deliver remarks from the convention roll call announcing the casting of the delegates’ vote. Tuesday’s roll call is purely symbolic because Harris won the delegates necessary to secure the nomination earlier this month in the virtual roll call.

Keeping an eye on protests

Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Chicago since Sunday in protest of the DNC.

On Monday, protesters gathered at Union Park, about a half-mile away from the United Center where the DNC is taking place .

Nearly 100 demonstrators breached a small portion of a security fence outside the convention, leading to a standoff between protesters and officers later in the day.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said some of the protesters who took down the fence threw water bottles and other items at police. Officers didn’t use their batons or chemical agents.

At least four people were arrested.

The protests come after a back-and-forth fight between the Coalition to March on the DNC and the city of Chicago as far as where they can legally protest and what equipment can be used.

A judge sided with the city over an approximately 1-mile march route, though organizers argue it wasn’t big enough for the expected crowds. Somewhere between 10,000 to 30,000 people were reportedly expected to attend the demonstrations.

The coalition is full of people fighting for health care, reproductive and LGBTQIA+ rights, among other issues; but the primary cause protesters say they’re advocating for is an end to the war in Gaza, which they say amounts to a genocide of Palestinians. A group of pro-Israel counterprotesters took over a corner of Union Park as well, though the events remained peaceful.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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