US presidential election: Democratic convention opens in unity around Biden

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

American Democrats began rallying to nominate their presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday, August 18. Epidemic requires, the convention, which lasts until Thursday, takes place entirely online. Michelle Obama, preceded by Bernie Sanders, loser of the Democratic primary, but also the former Republican governor John Kasich, opened the ball.

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Among the Democrats, the voice of the Obamas is inescapable. Michelle's is as essential as Barack's. “  Whenever we look to the White House for direction, or comfort, or some semblance of stability, what we receive instead is chaos, division and a complete and utter lack of empathy  ”. With these passionate words, the former First Lady of the United States thus denounced the "  total lack of empathy  " of Donald Trump on the first evening of the Democratic convention, claiming that he was "  not the right president  " for this country and calling for Joe Biden to be elected on November 3.

Michelle Obama was speaking at the end of the first evening of this unprecedented convention, entirely virtual because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Biden, 77, is due to be formally named Tuesday as the party's candidate for the November 3 election.

Sanders: "  Fighting for democracy and decency  "

Before her, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden's ex-rival in the Democratic nomination contest for the November U.S. presidential election, and Republican John Kasich joined forces on Monday in a show of unity behind Biden, in opening of the convention.

"  In the face of an unprecedented set of crises we are facing, we need an unprecedented response: a movement, like never before, of people who are ready to stand up and fight for democracy and decency  ", Bernie Sanders said.

Discussions with voters describing their difficulties in dealing with the coronavirus and its economic damage were also broadcast on Monday. Kristin Urquiza, whose father died of Covid-19, blamed Donald Trump's mismanagement of the health crisis. “  My father was a healthy 65 year old man. His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that he paid with his life , she said. When I cast my ballot for Joe Biden, I'll do it for my dad.  "

The recollection of George Floyd's brother

The first day of the Democratic convention also highlighted racial issues, as protests against racial discrimination and police brutality erupted after the death of George Floyd on May 25.

Speaking from Houston, George Floyd's brother Philonise provided a moment of contemplation and honored other African-American victims of police violence. “  It is up to us to continue the fight for justice. Our actions will be their legacy,  ”he said.

A video showed Joe Biden chatting via video conference with activists and representatives across the country about ways to fight racism.

Kasich puts his Republican membership "  in second place  "

John Kasich, former governor of Ohio defeated by Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, described his opposition to the outgoing president as a patriotic duty and said the United States was at a crossroads.

"  I am a Republican for life, but this attachment comes second behind my responsibility to this country,  " he said, adding to see in Joe Biden "  a man who can help us see the humanity in the country. other  ”.

► To read also: "Unite America" ​​to beat Trump, the program of the Democratic convention

with agencies

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• United States
• Joe biden
• Donald trump
• USA Elections 2020

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