“I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama,” former US President Barack Obama said as he came to the podium at the Democratic National Convention. The remark was not just made in jest but was an acknowledgement of how Michelle Obama has turned out to be one of the most powerful and galvanising voices in the Democratic Party.
At the Chicago convention, the former First Lady was supposed to be the warm-up before her husband’s speech. Instead, she turned out to be the rockstar, captivating the audience with her 20-minute speech in which she endorsed Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee and delivered a scathing critique of her rival, Donald Trump.
“America, hope is making a comeback,” Michelle said. The remark was a recall of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign when Democrats campaigned on “hope and change”.
In an electrifying speech, Michelle detailed why Kamala Harris was worthy of the top job but reserved her sharpest comments for Republican nominee Donald Trump.
It was not difficult to fathom why a section of Democrats felt Michelle Obama had the “it factor” to beat Donald Trump as Joe Biden’s campaign wavered. In fact, Michelle Obama’s powerful speeches played a huge role in her husband’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
In remarks that received some of the loudest cheers, Michelle hit out at Trump for his use of the term “black jobs”.
“Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those black jobs?” she said, referring to her husband’s presidency. Barack Obama served as US President for two consecutive terms.
Apart from attacking Trump over his racially charged rhetoric, Michelle also took potshots at the former President’s tenure.
“For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” Michelle said. “His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking and highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black,” she further said.
At the same time, she encouraged Democrats not to lose hope, “When they go low, we go high.”
Her importance can be gauged from the fact that she has spoken at every Democratic National Convention since 2008.
Obama was also effusive in her praise for Kamala Harris. “Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency,” Michelle said before signing off to a rapturous applause.
Thus, Barack Obama may be right in being a bit nervous before his speech. In fact, Michelle Obama ranks 5th on a list of prominent people, as per YouGov, a market research firm. Her husband ranks sixth.
