In the city of Chicago, the United Centre holds a special significance for locals, often being referred to as “The House that Michael Built”. This is a tribute to the golden period when Michael Jordan, the legendary basketball player, was idolised by the city and held a significant presence in American pop culture. The famous phrase about Jordan from the 90s, “The Man does not live on earth. He just turns up on game days,” seemed to resonate with the scenario during a significant Tuesday evening for Barack and Michelle Obama at the same venue.
There was something close to an other-worldly touch to the couple who, around 10:15 pm, held each other close, symbolising the admirable golden pair of the Democratic party. Both of them independently, and together, appeared to be far more than just mere mortals, oddly like vessels channeling the voices and narratives of ordinary Americans. Their narratives echo the dreams and aspirations that are typical of political conventions – a collection of voices that include immigrants, former slaves, and past presidents. Their extraordinary gift of storytelling and connection seemed even outside their comprehension.
By this time, Michelle Obama had already addressed the gathered audience. Just a few minutes into her speech, it became evident that she was voicing an incandescent endorsement of Kamala Harris; a powerful piece of Democratic election history that will be remembered. The speech also provided a teasing preview of the kind of political leader Michelle could have become had she chosen that route. But no, this was a step away from her declared intentions of leading a private life. It was also a kind of homecoming for Michelle, who grew up only 40 minutes away from the venue on foot.
She shared a poignant memory with the audience, “The last visit to my home city was to pay tribute to my mother; the wonderful woman who imbued within me the values of hard work, modesty, and morality,”. The loss of her mother still a raw pain, she revealed her doubts about being able to hold back her emotions that night.
The woman she presented during that speech was just a glimpse of the immense strength within her, enough to make her husband look somewhat goofy in comparison. She gracefully commended Kamala Harris, “the sturdiness of her resolve; her infectious laughter and aura;” “her unseen hard work and steadfast dedication that has always made America great”. But it was more than just a tribute to Harris. She outspokenly criticised Donald Trump, expressing her pent-up feelings that she’d held in for years.
Donald Trump has long displayed an anxiety threatened by the achievements of two industrious, educated and successful individuals who happened to be black. Ironically, he is vying for a position that could imply it being a ‘black job’.
As the narrative unfolded in the city of Chicago, the anticipation was tangible among the populace, both within the stadium and in the bustling streets around. With dusk falling and the clock showing the hour as 8, rumours of two-hour long queues to surpass security measures stirred the air. Many found the wait unbearable, retreated and ended up viewing the spectacle from the comfort of city hotels via television. Even if the significance or influence of this speech may not measure up against Barack Obama’s groundbreaking address two decades prior, the occasion still beared the promise of something extraordinary.
A wave of restless excitement was palpable within the stadium as well. The enormity of the four-day marathon of delivering speeches could be overwhelming even for the most seasoned orators. The massive auditorium of the Bulls arena, viewable from the rooftop seats, dwarfed the speakers, regardless of their celebrity stature, making them appear minuscule and at risk.
Delivering a fresh take on the repetitious theme ‘Strong Middle Class: Strong America’ demanded inherent skill and the ability to successfully project oneself. Even experienced Democratic figures like Charles Schumer and Bernie Sanders found it tough to engage the convention audience completely.
Reviewing past convention speeches, one soon realises that the underlying hopes and inclinations remain consistent over time. A standout talent is required to captivate the stadium audience while also reaching out to millions of viewers watching across the nation on TVs and mobiles. Within the annals of Democratic history, Barack Obama is singularly recognised for his captivating and powerful public speaking.
As Bernie, in his unique Brooklyn accent reminiscent of the 1950s, addressed the crowd, they cheered his affirmation that with political desire, governments can efficiently cater to the nation’s people. When the Governor of Illinois and the Hyatt hotel empire’s heir, JB Pritzker, delivered a witty jab at Donald Trump, mocking him as one affluent in nothing but idiocy, the crowd found it amusing. Even Doug Emhoff’s amiable and humorous depiction of his life alongside Kamala Harris captivated them.
Nevertheless, all these moments were mere lead-ups. The audience’s anticipation was centred around the Obamas. Recollecting Barack Obama’s first appearance, suddenly before an astonished mass at the Boston convention in 2004, is quite essential. It’s crucial to remember the power of the repetitive chants in his address that felt like a sermon centered around one crisp, lucid word: hope.
John Edwards had asked the people to have hope. Barack Obama clarified this wasn’t about blind optimism, like the delusional avoidance of discussing unemployment or healthcare crisis in the assumption they would solve themselves. Rather, it was substantial hope; hope of freedom singing slaves around the fire, hope of immigrants venturing towards unknown lands, hope of a young brave naval lieutenant patrolling the Mekong Delta, hope of a factory worker’s defiant son and the aspiration of a slender child with an unusual name confident that America was his home too. This was the daringness of hope.
That evocative memory from twenty years ago is worth revisiting because Michelle Obama, just a couple of minutes into her speech, invoked that very notion. She alluded to something enchanting present in the atmosphere, attributing it to the infectious power of hope.
The conscious of many flicked a switch. If only for an evening, they were spirited away. There he was once more, the lean lanky figure of inspiration with the peculiar name, his hair now silver-grey, yet stepping onto the stage sporting a grin as broad as Michigan Avenue, still filled with undeniable self-confidence, appealing yet self-critical, and superior simultaneously.
For once, it was a difficult performance for Barack Obama to follow, and he amusingly accepted that he was likely the sole individual foolish enough to step up after Michelle Obama. However, he is an unrivalled performer in such circumstances, demonstrating sombre respect as he paid homage to Joe Biden. It was an odd scenario: Biden’s moment was barely a day ago, yet the Harris campaign’s accelerated pace made it feel like a different era already.
“Joe and I may share some Irish blood, but our backgrounds are dissimilar. Despite this, we became brothers. The eight years we worked together, often harsh, taught me to respect Joe’s intelligence, as well as his compassion and integrity. History will remember Joe Biden as a remarkable president who safeguarded democracy during a period of immense threat. I’m honoured to dub him my president, but more so to call him my friend.”
How the Bidens received this while observing in California is anyone’s guess. It surely was an unusual experience. However, it was not unfamiliar, as Obama held, well, all spectators captivated with his innate ability to transition from a nostalgic recollection of his grandmother and mother-in-law to a pressing appeal to the eternal city of Abraham Lincoln, the undying image of the Republicans. Now, Obama called for a reincarnation of what Lincoln referred to as ‘our bonds of affection,’…’an America that utilises what he termed the better angels of our nature’… if we knock on doors, if we make calls, if we talk to our friends…”
And so it continued. The delegates seemed entranced. And then, Barack Obama offered the Democrats their slogan, the answer to all mythologies.
“She can do it,” he whispered loud enough for the microphones to capture. After a moment, the crowd chanted in unison.
“She can do it.”
“She can do it.”
The issue with enchanting evenings is their ephemeral and elusive nature, even as they are happening. Daybreak inevitably comes, bringing with it a regain of the daily cycle and usual monotony. For the Democrats, the predicament they now face is living up to the undiluted waves of aspiration, heart, and positivity that the Obamas projected across urban areas and the countryside the previous evening. It was a transient vision, a sight of stunning beauty, which quickly faded away.