Black America Votes: Live Updates From The 2020 Democratic National Convention
Dr. Jill Biden Delivers DNC Speech Focused On Family And Unity
10:45 p.m. ET/7:45 p.m. PT: Dr. Jill Biden, who could be the nation’s next first lady, closed the second night of the Democratic National Convention speaking about her husband of 43 years and the promises he plans to make for the country.
With an opening video montage that set the tone of her speech revealing incredibly intimate and tragic moments from their family life as well as the heartwarming triumphs, Dr. Biden’s speech laid out why she believes her husband has the emotional empathy, fortitude and leadership skills needed to take this country forward.
Here are some of the highlights:
On Protecting Children During COVID-19
“As a mother and a grandmother, as an American, I am heartbroken by the magnitude of this loss—by the failure to protect our communities—by every precious and irreplaceable life gone. Like so many of you, I’m left asking: how do I keep my family safe?”
“How do you make a broken family whole? The same way you make a nation whole. With love and understanding—and with small acts of kindness. With bravery. With unwavering faith.
You show up for each other, in big ways and small ones, again and again. It’s what so many of you are doing right now. For your loved ones. For complete strangers. For your communities.”
Why Joe Fights
“After our son, Beau, died of cancer, I wondered if I would ever smile or feel joy again. It was summer but there was no warmth left for me.
Four days after Beau’s funeral, I watched Joe shave and put on his suit. I saw him steel himself in the mirror—take a breath—put his shoulders back—and walk out into a world empty of our son. He went back to work. That’s just who he is.
There are times when I couldn’t imagine how he did it—how he put one foot in front of the other and kept going. But I’ve always understood why he did it.”
Joe’s purpose has always driven him forward. His strength of will is unstoppable. And his faith is unshakable—because it’s not in politicians or political parties—or even himself. It’s in the providence of God. His faith is in you—in us.
On The Future Of America
“We just need leadership worthy of our nation. Worthy of you. Honest leadership to bring us back together—to recover from this pandemic and prepare for whatever else is next. Leadership to reimagine what our nation will be.
That’s Joe. He and Kamala will work as hard as you do, every day, to make this nation better. And if I have the honor of serving as your First Lady, I will too.”
Dr. Biden concluded her speech being joined by her husband who is the official nominee for the Democratic party and ending the night’s event.
Bill Clinton Pulls No Punches In Attack on Trump
9:40 p.m. ET/6:40 p.m. PT: Former President Bill Clinton laid into President Trump and his response to the coronavirus pandemic, attacking him as incompetent and thoughtless.
“At a time like this, the Oval Office should be a command center. Instead, it’s a storm center,” said Clinton. “There’s only chaos. Just one thing never changes—his determination to deny responsibility and shift the blame. The buck never stops there.
“Now you have to decide whether to renew his contract or hire someone else,” Clinton continued. “If you want a president who defines the job as spending hours a day watching TV and zapping people on social media, he’s your man. Denying, distracting, and demeaning works great if you’re trying to entertain and inflame. But in a real crisis, it collapses like a house of cards.”
Clinton’s speech followed an address in support of Joe Biden by former President and First Lady Jimmy and Roslyn Carter.
Biden, Clinton said, helped to bring back the nation from the 2008 recession and has a strategy to bring the nation back from the economic trouble it currency faces.
“Joe won’t just put his signature on a check and try to fool you into thinking it came from him,” Clinton said. “He’ll work to make sure that your paycheck reflects your contribution to, and your stake in, a growing economy. In this job interview, the difference is stark. You know what Donald Trump will do with four more years: blame, bully, and belittle. And you know what Joe Biden will do: build back better.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Still Supports Sen. Bernie Sanders Over Joe Biden
9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT: In her first DNC address, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made it clear that she is still rallying behind Sen. Bernie Sanders who ended his campaign for the presidency months ago. Sanders actually spoke in support of presumptive candidate Joe Biden last night. And yet, on day two of the convention ,Ocasio Cortez, who represents areas in New York City, used her nominatination to vote for Sanders for the Democratic ticket, never mentioning Biden once in her speech.
DNC Night 2 Starts With Message From Young Political Leaders
9:20 p.m.ET/6:20 p.m. PT: The second night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off with a diverse group of young political leadership from across the nation. Several politicos who represent the future of the party ranging from Tennessee State Sen. Raumesh Akbari to Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave spoke about their hope for change.
They were followed by Fair Fight Founder and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Who came out in support of Democratic candidate Joe Biden and in criticism of President Trump. “In a democracy, we do not elect saviors,” she said. “We cast our ballots for those who see our struggle and pledge to serve."
She was followed by “black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross opening the virtual presentation giving a nod to vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, whose nomination she says is “historic for anyone who believes in ‘We the People.’ ”
DNC Night 2 Promises More Democratic Heavy Hitters
8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT: After the initial night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which was anchored by an emotional, direct speech from former First Lady Michelle Obama, Tuesday night will follow it with what party officials hope will be equally impactful.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will be the second prominent Republican to speak in support of Democratic candidate Joe Biden. GOP former Ohio Gov. John Kasich spoke Monday night.
Along with Powell, voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and former President Bill Clinton will also address viewers of the virtual convention based in Milwaukee.
The evening will finish with a keynote address from Biden’s wife, former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who will speak to audiences about why she feels her husband should be elected from a personal perspective.
RELATED: Five Things Black People Should Know About Dr. Jill Biden
The night will conclude with a performance by R&B superstar John Legend.
6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT: Tonight, actress Tracee Ellis Ross will host the Democratic National Convention which will begin at 9:00M ET. The program will be focused on "Leadership Matters," an opportunity for friends and advocates of Joe Biden to express how they believe his leadership includes an ability to tell the truth, listen to experts, and be a strong example for the nation.
BET's 2020 Democratic National Convention Coverage
Day 2
Tuesday, August 18, 2020: Follow BET’s coverage with our live blog for the latest updates from the Democratic National Convention. We’ll feature news about the event, speeches, performances and commentary August 17-20.
Each night, the convention will include speeches from Party leaders, rising stars and real people. Tonight's scheduled speakers include: Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Former Secretary of State John Kerry, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Former President Bill Clinton, and Former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
The convention closes on Thursday, August 20 with the official nomination of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and presumptive candidate for vice president Sen. Kamala Harris, who will deliver their speeches remotely from Delaware and share their vision for the country.
BET.com will have all the news updates that matter to Black America so stay tuned each day and watch from the CBS News: Race To 2020 live feed above from at 9-11 p.m. ET each night.
For coverage of the first night of the convention, click here.
