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Michelle Obama: Vote in numbers that cannot be denied
Democratic National Convention 2020: Day 1
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5 key moments from night one of the DNC
From CNN's Maeve Reston, Gregory Krieg and Dan Merica
Democrats kicked off their quadrennial convention on Monday evening, in a mostly virtual format, hoping to show that they have a broad coalition of backers in November -- weaving together speeches that prosecuted the case against Trump, with stories from real people about the fatal toll of the pandemic and personal stories that were meant to provide a window into Biden's personal side.
Former first lady Michelle Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo were among headliners for the first night of programming, which was emceed by actress Eva Longoria.
In case you missed it, here are some highlights from the night’s biggest moments:
- Michelle Obama issued a scathing assessment of Trump: Obama called Trump the “wrong” president for the United States and said the White House is failing to provide “steadiness” and instead is only delivering “chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy.” The former first lady urged Americans to go out in vote for Joe Biden in November like "our lives depend on it."
- Moment of silence held for George Floyd: Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, held a moment of silence in honor of his brother and "the many other souls we’ve lost to hate and injustice." Floyd said that "it’s up to us to carry on the fight for justice. Our actions will be their legacies."
- Sanders aimed to galvanize his followers to support Biden: The senator from Vermont offered his most forceful argument yet on behalf of former primary rival Joe Biden, beseeching his supporters to back the Democratic nominee in November or risk seeing “all the progress we have made” be thrown into doubt. He also urged Democrats to come together and "remove the most dangerous President in history," because "the price of failure is just too great to imagine."
- Kasich and other Republicans made their case for backing Biden: Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and a trio of other former top Republicans argued that the President has been a “disappointing” and “disturbing” failure. Kasich said he was “proud” of his Republican heritage, but that Trump’s first term “belies those principles.”
- Cuomo decries Trump's Covid-19 response: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, one of Biden's earliest supporters, said the country's failure to contain the coronavirus pandemic is a "symptom" of a deeper rot in government and society. Those troubles didn't begin with President Donald Trump's rise, Cuomo said, but they have become worse during his time in office. Following the governor's speech, Kristin Urquiza, a woman who lost her father to Covid-19, shared her dad's story and slammed Trump's coronavirus response. "Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonesty and his irresponsible actions made it so much worse," Urquiza said. "One of the last things that my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump. And so, when I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my dad," Urquiza continued.
Michelle Obama: "If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me they can"
From CNN's Deanna Hackney
Former first lady Michelle Obama continued her remarks at the Democratic National Convention Monday night by suggesting that her message wouldn't necessarily be accepted by everyone, but it is one of the utmost importance— and "if you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can."
"We live in a nation that is deeply divided, and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention. But enough of you know me by now. You know that I tell you exactly what I’m feeling. You know I hate politics. But you also know that I care about this nation," Obama said.
"You know how much I care about all of our children. So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it," she continued.
Michelle Obama: “Going high is the only thing that works”
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Former first lady Michelle Obama said her message from her Democratic National Convention speech four years ago — “When they go low, we go high” — still stands.
"Over the past four years, a lot of people have asked me: When others are going so low, does going high still really work? My answer: Going high is the only thing that works, because when we go low, when we use those same tactics of degrading and dehumanizing others, we just become part of the ugly noise that's drowning out everything else,” Obama said.
“We degrade ourselves, we degrade the very causes for which we fight. But let's be clear: Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty,” Obama said.
Obama said, “Going high means taking the harder path. It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountaintop. Going high means standing fierce against hatred while remembering that we are one nation under God, and if we want to survive, we've got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences.”
“And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free: The cold hard truth," Obama said.
“So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”
Michelle Obama: Trump has shown "a total and utter lack of empathy"
From CNN's Eric Bradner
Michelle Obama accused President Donald Trump of "a total and utter lack of empathy" in a blistering condemnation of his actions in office.
"Right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. They’re looking around wondering if we’ve been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value," the former first lady said.
She pointed to "shouting in grocery stores" over wearing masks, the idea that "winning is everything," emboldening white supremacists, immigrant children being torn from their families and pepper spray being used to disperse peaceful protesters.
"Sadly, this is the America that is on display for the next generation. A nation that’s underperforming not simply on matters of policy but on matters of character. And that’s not just disappointing; it’s downright infuriating, because I know the goodness and the grace that is out there in households and neighborhoods all across this nation," she said.
"And I know that regardless of our race, age, religion, or politics, when we close out the noise and the fear and truly open our hearts, we know that what’s going on in this country is just not right. This is not who we want to be," Obama added.
Michelle Obama: "Being president doesn’t change who you are — it reveals who you are"
Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered a poignant political speech, taking a swipe at Trump's presidency and urging those who did not come out to vote in 2016 to make their vote count this upcoming election.
Obama said the country has been "living with the consequences" since the 2016 election results.
"As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are — it reveals who you are. Well, a presidential election can reveal who we are, too," Obama said. "And four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn’t matter."
"Maybe they were fed up. Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn’t be close. Maybe the barriers felt too steep. Whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3,000,000 votes," Obama continued.
"In one of the states that determined the outcome, the winning margin averaged out to just two votes per precinct—two votes. And we’ve all been living with the consequences," Obama said.
Michelle Obama: Donald Trump is the "wrong" president
From CNN's Dan Merica
Michelle Obama lambasted Donald Trump as the “wrong” president for the United States in her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Monday.
In the straight-to-camera, pre-taped remarks, the former first lady said the White House is failing to provide “steadiness” and instead is only delivering “chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy.”
“So, let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country,” Obama said. “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”
Obama, the final speaker of the first night of the convention, laid out a litany of criticism of Trump’s first four years of office, slamming the support the President receives from white supremacists, his immigration policies and how he has handled recent protest about racial injustice.
“As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are. Well, a presidential election can reveal who we are, too,” Obama said. “And four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn’t matter. Maybe they were fed up. Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn’t be close. Maybe the barriers felt too steep. Whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3,000,000 votes.”
Event organizers hope that the former first lady would provide a soaring end to the first night of the convention, much like she did for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Watch:
Bernie Sanders: Democracy is in doubt if Trump wins
From CNN's Gregory Krieg
Bernie Sanders on Monday night offered his most forceful argument yet on behalf of former primary rival Joe Biden, beseeching his supporters to back the Democratic nominee in November or risk seeing “all the progress we have made” be thrown into doubt.
“Our campaign ended several months ago, but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day,” Sanders said. “Many of the ideas we fought for that just a few years ago were considered radical are now mainstream. But let us be clear. If Donald Trump is re-elected, all the progress we have made will be in jeopardy.”
Sanders also took direct aim at Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the administration’s refusal to engage with Democrats seeking to extend ramped-up unemployment benefits and other aid to workers and hard-hit communities.
“Millions of working families are wondering how they will feed their kids, and they're worried that they will be evicted from their homes,” Sanders said. “And how has Trump responded? Instead of maintaining the $600 a week unemployment supplement that workers were receiving and the $1,200 emergency checks that many of you received, instead of helping small businesses, Trump concocted fraudulent executive orders that do virtually nothing to address the crisis while threatening the very future of Social Security and Medicare.”
Sanders also sprinkled in an uncharacteristic zinger.
“Nero fiddled while Rome burned,” the Vermont senator said. “Trump golfs.”
As he’s done throughout the campaign, and during his own, Sanders also expressed concern that Trump’s rise mirrored those of authoritarian leaders from the past.
“I and my family and many of yours know the insidious way authoritarianism destroys democracy, decency and humanity,” Sanders said. “As long as I am here, I will work with progressives, with moderates and, yes, with conservatives to preserve this nation from a threat that so many of our heroes fought and died to defeat.”
And in a final appeal to voters, Sanders asked Americans to “come together” to elect Biden – then considered the alternative.
“The price of failure,” he said, “is just too great.”
Watch:
Alabama Sen. Doug Jones: “Even our deepest divisions can be overcome”
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones talked about overcoming deep divisions within the country, and argued that Joe Biden was the right presidential candidate to unite America.
“Growing up in the South meant growing up in the midst of stark divisions,” Jones said. “But it was here in Alabama where Rosa Parks helped ignite a movement by refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Where Freedom Riders of different races came together in pursuit of equality. And it was here in Alabama where John Lewis marched across a bridge towards freedom.”
“From a young age, I knew the hope that comes from seeing good people work to heal our divisions. It’s what led me to become the United States attorney, where I convicted two Klansmen who murdered four young Black girls in a 1963 Birmingham church bombing and delivered long overdue justice,” Jones said. He stood in front of an exhibit dedicated to the girls’ memory as he gave his remarks.
“Alabama has shown me that even our deepest divisions can be overcome, because each of us want the same thing: To be treated fairly and given the same opportunities, and the freedom to live with dignity and respect,” the senator said.
“Now, some politicians try to pit us against each other. But I believe Americas have more in common than what divides us. And in November we have a chance to let a president who believes that too,” Jones said.
Jones said he has known Biden for 40 years and met the former vice president when he was a law student.
He said, “The Joe I know is exactly the leader our country needs right now. He can bring people together to find common ground while standing up for what he believes is right. After years of bitter partisanship, he can unite the country and get things done for working families and everyone looking for a better future.”
Cortez Masto blasts Trump's attacks on mail-in voting
From CNN's Eric Bradner
Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto lambasted President Donald Trump's efforts to undermine by-mail voting -- accusing Trump of hypocrisy over how he casts his own ballot in Florida.
"Even Donald Trump has requested an absentee ballot twice this year," she said.
Trump has targeted Nevada over the state's efforts to mail ballots to registered voters this year, as states adjust their election procedures amid the pandemic. Democrats in Congress have sought to increase funding for the US Postal Service, which has warned states it might not be able to process mail-in ballots in time in November.
"He is putting the lives of Nevada’s seniors at risk by trying to defund the post office. Here’s what that means: they won’t be able to get their prescriptions, because he wants to win an election," Cortez Masto said. "Mr. President: Nevada is not intimidated by you. America is not intimidated by you."
Kasich and other Republicans make the case for backing Biden
From CNN's Dan Merica
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and a trio of other former top Republicans made the case for members of their party breaking with Donald Trump and backing Joe Biden on Monday, arguing that the President has been a “disappointing” and “disturbing” failure.
Kasich headlined the section of the Democratic convention focused on convincing Republicans turned off by Trump to vote -- even reluctantly -- for a candidate that they may not wholeheartedly support.
“I’m a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country,” said Kasich, who ran for president as a Republican in 2016. “That’s why I’ve chosen to appear at this convention. In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times.”
Kasich said he was “proud” of his Republican heritage, but that Trump’s first term “belies those principles.”
“I’m sure there are Republicans and Independents who couldn’t imagine crossing over to support a Democrat,” Kasich said. “They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind. I don’t believe that because I know the measure of the man. It’s reasonable, faithful, respectful, and, you know, no one pushes Joe around."
Three Republican women -- Meg Whitman, who ran for governor of California as a Republican in 2010 but backed Hillary Clinton in 2016; Susan Molinari, a former Republican congresswoman from New York; and Christine Todd Whitman, former Republican governor of New Jersey and EPA chief under George W. Bush -- joined Kasich in backing Biden.
“For me, the choice is simple. I’m with Joe,” said Meg Whitman.
Molinari said she had “known Donald Trump for most of my political career. So disappointing, and lately so disturbing.”
And Christine Todd Whitman encapsulated the segment with an honest question.
“What am I doing here,” she asked, adding later, “This isn’t about a Republican or Democrat. This is about a person.”
Watch:
Whitmer: Obama and Biden "didn't waste time blaming anyone else or shirking their responsibility"
From CNN's Eric Bradner
In a speech from a United Auto Workers union hall, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer touted Joe Biden's role in the passage of the automotive industry bailout in 2009, as former President Barack Obama's administration navigated the Great Recession.
Obama and Biden, Whitmer said, "didn't waste time blaming anyone else or shirking their responsibility. They got to work" — a line intended to contrast Biden with the health and economic crises facing President Donald Trump now.
The swing-state governor and co-chair of Biden's campaign sought to connect those early Obama actions to the response to the coronavirus pandemic. She said factories saved by the auto bailout are now manufacturing protective equipment.
They "saved the autoworkers' livelihood," she said. "Then these workers did their part to save American lives. That's the story of this great nation: Action begets action. Progress begets progress. And when we work together, we can accomplish anything."
Woman who lost father to Covid-19: "His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump"
Kristin Urquiza gained national attention last month after she wrote an obituary decrying politicians for a "lack of leadership" following her father's death as a result of Covid-19.
Tonight, she shared the story of her father, Mark Urquiza, during a speech delivered before the Democratic National Convention. She also sent a poignant message to President Donald Trump.
"He had faith in Donald Trump. He voted for him, listened to him, believed him and his mouthpieces when they said that coronavirus was under control and going to disappear; that it was okay to end social distancing rules before it was safe; and that if you had no underlying health conditions, you’d probably be fine," she said.
Urquiza explained that in late May, after the stay-at-home order was lifted in Arizona, her father went to a karaoke bar with his friends, and a few weeks later, was put on a ventilator. And after "five agonizing days," Urquiza said her father died alone in the ICU with "a nurse holding his hand."
"My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life," she continued.
Urquiza slammed President Trump's coronavirus response.
"The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas: the America that Donald Trump lives in and the America that my father died in. Enough is enough. Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonesty and his irresponsible actions made it so much worse," Urquiza said.
"We need a leader who has a national, coordinated, data-driven response to stop this pandemic from claiming more lives and to safely reopen the country. We need a leader who will step in on Day One and do his job, to care," she continued.
"One of the last things that my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump. And so, when I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my dad," Urquiza said.
Watch:
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser: “While we were protesting, Donald Trump was plotting”
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser took aim at President Donald Trump on Monday, saying Trump was “plotting” while many Americans were protesting systemic racism and police brutality in America after the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Speaking in front of the massive yellow letters that spell out “Black Lives Matter” in Washington, DC, Bowser lambasted Trump for forcibly removing peaceful protesters in front of the White House so he could pose for a photo op in front of a church with a Bible in his hand.
“While we were protesting, Donald Trump was plotting. He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op. He sent troops in camouflage into our streets, he sent tear gas into the air and federal helicopters too,” the mayor said.
“I knew if he did this to DC, he would do it to your city or your town. And that’s when I said enough. I said enough for every Black and Brown American who has experienced injustice. Enough for every American who believes in justice,” Bowser said.
Bowser said she wanted her 2-year-old daughter to grow up in an America “where she's not scared to walk to the store. An America where she's safe behind the doors of her own home. An America where the President doesn't fan the flames of racism and looks out for all of us.”
“So I created Black Lives Matter Plaza, right behind me, as a place where we could come together to say enough,” Bowser said.
“And by coming together this November to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we will say next. Because we can't just paint those words, we can't just say those words, we have to live those words, we have to undo the laws and systems that have codified racism for far too long. But we have to do something too. Each and every one of us, challenge our own biases. If we see something, do something. Together we can turn this reckoning into a reimagining of a nation where we the people means all the people," Bowser said.
Bowser introduced members of George Floyd’s family as the next speakers at the convention.
Eric Garner's mom calls on Biden to fight against police brutality if elected president
From CNN's Leinz Vales
Gwen Carr, mother of the late Eric Garner, who died after being placed in a chokehold by a New York police officer in 2014, is calling on former Vice President Joe Biden to continue the fight against police brutality if he wins the presidency.
"When my son was murdered, there was a big uprising, but then it settled down," Carr said at a roundtable on criminal justice reform. "We can't let things settle down. We have to go to the politicians. We have to hold their feet to the fire. Otherwise, the big uprising is not going to mean a lot."
"I'm just asking that if you become the president, that you make sure that we get national law as well as state and local law, especially when it comes to police brutality. Because that has been an age-old problem," she continued.
The roundtable, hosted by Biden, was held via video conference with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, NAACP CEO and President Derrick Johnson, Houston police chief Art Acevedo and activist Jamira Burley.
Cuomo: Covid exposed deeper sickness in American life
From CNN's Gregory Krieg
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, one of Biden's earliest supporters, said on Monday night that the country's failure to contain the coronavirus pandemic is a "symptom" of a deeper rot in government and society.
"Covid is the symptom, not the illness," Cuomo said. "Our nation is in crisis, and in many ways, Covid is just a metaphor. A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it cannot defend itself. Over these past few years, America's body politic has been weakened, the divisions have grown deeper."
Those troubles didn't begin with President Donald Trump's rise, Cuomo said, but they have become worse during his time in office.
"Only a strong body can fight off the virus," he said, "and America's divisions weakened it."
Following on a theme of the first night of the convention, Cuomo argued that electing Biden in November would be a first step toward healing the country's wounds -- and described the former vice president as a unique figure who is "tough in the best way."
"We need a leader as good as our people, a leader who appeals to the best within us, not the worst, a leader who can unify, not divide, a leader who can bring us up, not tear us down," Cuomo said. "I know that man. I've worked with that man. I've seen his talent. I've seen his strength. I've seen his pain and I've seen his heart. That man is Joe Biden."
Watch:
Clyburn: "Joe Biden is as good a man as he is a leader"
From CNN's Dan Merica
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn touted Joe Biden as the right leader for this moment because of both his ability to understand loss and his decency.
“Joe Biden is as good a man as he is a leader,” Clyburn said in a speech that focused on racial justice, adding that the country needs "a president who understands both profound loss; and what it takes to bounce back.”
Clyburn endorsed Biden on the eve of the South Carolina primary in February. The endorsement put Biden over the edge in the state that proved determinative in the Democratic primary, earning Clyburn significant influence on the Biden campaign.
Speaking from Charleston, South Carolina, Clyburn noted the city’s history with slavery, but also focused on its future combatting racism.
“The ground beneath our feet is seeded with pain that is both old and new,” Clyburn said. “But from that soil we always find a way to grow together.”
He added: “I have said before and wish to reiterate tonight; we know Joe — but more importantly, Joe knows us.”
Moment of silence held at DNC for George Floyd
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, held a moment of silence in honor of his brother and the "many other souls we’ve lost to hate and injustice."
"Please join me in a moment of silence, to honor George and the many other souls we’ve lost to hate and injustice. And when this moment ends, let’s make sure we never stop saying their names," Floyd said.
Watch the moment:
George Floyd's brother: "It’s up to us to carry on the fight for justice"
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, addressed the Democratic National Convention and recalled the movement that the death of his brother began around the world.
"George was selfless. He always made sacrifices for his family, friends, and even complete strangers. George had a giving spirit. A spirit that has shown up on streets around our nation, and around the world—people of all races, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds—peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity."
"It’s a fitting legacy for our brother. But George should be alive today. Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Ahmaud Arbery should be alive today. Eric Garner should be alive today. Stephon Clark, Atatiana Jefferson, Sandra Bland—they should all be alive today," he continued.
"So it’s up to us to carry on the fight for justice. Our actions will be their legacies. We must always find ourselves in what John Lewis called 'good trouble.' For the names we do not know, the faces we will never see, those we can’t mourn because their murders didn’t go viral," Floyd said.
Rep. Moore at DNC: "We gather virtually, however we gather unified in spirit"
From CNN's Keith Allen
Speaking at the Democratic National Convention Monday night, Rep. Gwen Moore said she was honored to open the festivities in her home state, even if the delegates and supporters weren’t physically gathered in Milwaukee.
“We gather virtually, however we gather unified in spirit, unified in our values and purpose to heal divisions and together move the nation confidently into a prosperous, inclusive future,” Rep. Moore said.
“What better way to gather than all across America to nominate my beloved friend, Joe Biden to be the 46th President of the United States of America, with my VIP, VP nominee, sister Kamala Harris by his side," she added.
Democrats kick off the first night of their convention
From CNN's Maeve Reston
Democrats have kicked off their quadrennial convention in a mostly virtual format as they try to look to stir excitement about the newly minted ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at a time when Americans are rightly distracted by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic turmoil it has created.
Former first lady Michelle Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo are among the headliners for the first night of programming that will be emceed by actress Eva Longoria.
In an effort to broaden the party's appeal at a time when a new CNN poll shows the race between Biden and President Donald Trump tightening, Democrats added three Republican women to Monday night's lineup, which was already slated to include former Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich.
Party officials have said that Monday's theme will be "We the People" — with remarks focused on how the country can unite and move forward. The party also released a video excerpt of the remarks that Michelle Obama will deliver in a taped address, where she clearly plans to serve as a character witness for Biden, who she will call "a profoundly decent man guided by his faith" and someone who served as a "terrific vice president" to her husband
Joe Biden speaks out about family tragedy in new CNN doc:
Buttigieg: Trump "is losing the election right now"
From CNN's Leinz Vales and Kevin Liptak
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said for President Trump to warn of a "rigged election" if he loses the presidential election is "not surprising" and "extremely disturbing."
"He's losing the election right now," Buttigieg told CNN's Jake Tapper ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off Monday night. "Donald Trump is historically unpopular president. He's losing to Joe Biden. That doesn't mean that he'll automatically lose. We got to do the work. We got to earn this victory. But that's the state of play."
"For him to try to preemptively attack the legitimacy of the election by definition if he loses it on one hand not surprising and something we need to prepare for as a country and on the other hand, extremely disturbing because it strikes at the heart of our system."
More context: President Trump on Monday used some of his starkest language yet in falsely warning of fraudulent election results during remarks in Wisconsin.
"The only way we're going to lose this election is if this election is rigged," President Trump said during a stop in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the second of several battleground events he is using this week to counterprogram the Democrats' virtual convention.
"I've won elections and I've lost elections and losing elections is no fun, but when you do, you stand aside," Buttigieg said. "Because there is something so much more important than your own political success and that's this democracy, this country and listening to the will of voters. That the president of the united States is not committed to that, that's bad news for democracy itself and of course, it's bad news for America."
Here's why Republicans for Biden are speaking on the same night as Bernie Sanders
From CNN's Jeff Zeleny
The number of “Republicans for Biden” groups have been steadily growing, with high-profile organizations like the Lincoln Project and others gaining significant attention in their fight against President Trump.
The Biden campaign decided against including the Lincoln Project in its convention, a senior Democratic official said, but instead chose former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and three prominent Republican women in the lineup tonight.
The speech from Kasich is designed to move Republicans concerned with Trump, but it’s also intended to combat the argument from the Trump campaign that the Biden-Harris ticket is a radical, liberal one.
It’s aimed at independents — men and women — to give yet another permission slip to vote against Trump and for Biden.
The blowback from progressive groups is predictable, but a senior Biden adviser said these speeches were intentionally placed tonight — on the same evening as Bernie Sanders, to show the Biden big tent.
Nevada senator to "rebuke" Trump's attacks on mail in voting
From CNN's Arlette Saenz
Democratic officials say Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto will use her speech to emphasize the need to protect mail-in voting and issue a “rebuke” of President Donald Trump as a legal battle plays out in her state over vote by mail.
She’ll call out the president for requesting absentee ballots for himself and say, “Mr. President, Nevada is not intimidated by you.”
This comes as Democrats are increasingly concerned about the President’s efforts to cast doubt upon mail-in voting heading into the fall election.
George Floyd’s brother to speak tonight at DNC
From CNN's Jeff Zeleny
A moment of silence will be held at the virtual Democratic National Convention for George Floyd, with his brother speaking from Texas tonight in support of Joe Biden as the country continues its reckoning on racial justice and police reform.
A senior Democratic official tells CNN that Philonise Floyd will address the convention.
It is not a deeply political speech, but rather a nod to the man whose death sparked a summer of protests and demands for real acknowledgement and change to systemic racism.
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