What Happened on DNC Day 4?

Today was the fourth and final day of the Democrat National Convention (DNC) held in Chicago, Illinois. Rob Bluey shared ten highlights from the events of the day in his article published at The Daily Signal. 

1. The Main Event: Harris’ ‘Unlikely Journey’ to Democrat Nominee

“Let’s get to business,” Harris told the crowd in an attempt to quiet the raucous applause greeting her arrival onstage at United Center about 10:35 p.m. EDT.

[After acknowledging her husband, Doug Emhoff, and thanking Joe and Jill Biden] Harris talked about the “unlikely journey” that led her to the party’s nomination, recalling stories about her parents and the lessons she learned as a child of a single mother after they split up….

Harris said her parents’ involvement in the civil rights movement inspired her to pursue a career in law. She recalled that an abusive relationship between her best friend and the friend’s stepfather convinced her to become a prosecutor.

“I believe everyone has a right to safety, dignity, and justice,” Harris said. “In our system of justice, a harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us.”

2. Harris Speaks Broadly About Policy Agenda, Skips Specifics

After sharing her personal biography, Harris pivoted to policy issues. She touted her record as California attorney general, U.S. senator, and vice president and argued that she would be a better choice than returning Trump as president….

Harris took Trump to task for his leadership style as president and his behavior in the aftermath of the disputed 2020 election, then warned about his agenda should voters elect him again [in an attempt to tie Trump to Project 2025]. …

Harris accused Trump of trying to cut Social Security and Medicare, seeking to repeal Obamacare, and wanting to eliminate the Department of Education….

Citing her own upbringing in a middle-class family, Harris made a direct appeal to this voting bloc, who could swing the election to either candidate particularly in states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Harris also devoted part of her speech to abortion, an issue where she and Democrats hold a sizable advantage over Trump and Republicans. She accused her opponent of wanting to limit access to birth control and enact a nationwide abortion ban – although Trump holds neither position….

On border security, a problem that Harris failed to fix as the White House’s “border czar,” she promised to “reform our broken immigration system” and “create an earned pathway to citizenship.” Notably, she listed both before saying she would secure the border.

Harris devoted parts of her speech to two foreign wars that began on her watch as vice president, boasting that she warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about Russia’s invasion in 2022 and is working “around the clock” to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war.

She surprised some by explicitly referring to Hamas, the elected government of the Gaza Strip, as a terrorist organization. The war began after Hamas terrorists went on a rampage of torture, rape, and murder Oct. 7, leaving 1,200 dead and taking 250 hostages in southern Israel.

“I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” she said. “At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”

3. Leaders of Teachers Unions Rally Against Trump-Vance Ticket

Dressed in white blazers, the two teachers union leaders took the stage to warn delegates about the dangers posed by former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, his running mate on the GOP ticket.

National Education Association President Becky Pringle and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten made partisan appeals in keeping with their unions’ one-sided political giving to Democrats.

“Donald Trump and JD Vance are not just wrong – they’re dangerous. It’s all right there in Project 2025. They will shut down the Department of Education,” said Pringle, who leads the larger of the two teachers unions. “We are coming together to say, ‘Not on our watch.’”

Launched by The Heritage Foundation two years ago, Project 2025 grew to a coalition of 110 conservative organizations that developed a transition plan for the next presidential administration. Unlike some of the misstatements and lies about it, Project 2025 does call for the Education Department’s elimination – an idea endorsed by Trump….

4. Wisconsin Senator Misrepresents Trump’s Position on Social Security

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., began her remarks by talking about the two grandparents who raised her as a child. It was her attempt at appealing to senior citizens – and casting doubt on Trump’s pledges to protect Social Security.

Dating to his first presidential run in 2016, Trump repeatedly has stated his opposition to cutting Social Security benefits.

[She tried to connect Trump with cutting Social Security and Medicare and give big tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.]

There’s just one problem – that’s not exactly what Trump said. In fact, he never mentioned Social Security or Medicare by name.

In a March 11 interview on CNBC, Trump said: “There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting and in terms of also the theft and the bad management of entitlements.”

The term entitlements may reference any number of government programs; entitlements have grown in recent years to encompass an even greater share of the federal budget.

For his part, Trump clarified his position by stating: “I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare.”

5. Sharpton Targets Trump, Highlights Case of Central Park 5

Delivering a divisive speech filled with appeals to several identity groups, the Rev. Al Sharpton began his remarks by taking aim at Trump….

6. Sen. Bob Casey Complains About Cost of Diapers

… Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., began his remarks by complaining about inflation, specifically the cost of diapers [blaming corporations for rising prices]. …

7. Senate Hopefuls Make Their Pitch

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives made their appeals to the party faithful for jobs in Congress’ upper chamber….

8. Warren Contrasts Harris, Trump in Appeal to Working-Class Voters

Wiping tears from her eyes amid sustained applause, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., portrayed Harris as a champion for everyday Americans in contrast to Trump….

9. Stars Come Out on Kamala’s Big Night

The (Dixie) Chicks sang an interesting acapella rendition of the national anthem, comedian D.L. Hughley cracked jokes, and actresses Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria made appearances Thursday night in what has become a star-studded event in Chicago.

In another musical moment, pop singer Pink sang her 2017 hit “What About Us” with daughter Willow Sage….

10. Democrats’ Favorite Republican: Adam Kinzinger

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who represented Illinois as a Republican, got a prime speaking slot to make the case for Harris….