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DNC 2024 Day 2 live updates: 'Yes, she can': Obama endorses Harris, blasts Trump

Obama praised President Biden and offered support for Harris.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, and Brittany Gaddy
Last Updated: August 21, 2024, 12:05 AM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the official Democratic presidential nominee during the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

The night included a lively and upbeat roll call vote of delegates that featured a DJ, some celebrities and energetic speeches. Also, Harris, who campaigned in Milwaukee, thanked the crowd in a live-streamed message.

Second gentleman Doug Emoff talked about his long relationship with Harris and touted her vision for the country.

But the night's biggest headline was the return of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to the DNC stage. Both stressed what's at stake in this election and pushed Americans to come together to bring the country to a better future.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Aug 20, 2024, 7:57 PM EDT

Harris' stepson talks about how she became 'Momala'

Kamala Harris' stepson Cole Emhoff paid tribute to his father, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and how the vice president became part of their blended family, in a video posted on social media ahead of Emoff's DNC speech tonight.

"In 2014, Kamala became Momala," Cole Emhoff said. "She took over Sunday night dinners and taught Doug how to actually cook."

"Our blended family wasn't used to politics or the spotlight, but when Kamala became senator, we were all excited to step up -- especially my dad," Cole Emoff added. "Then, Kamala became vice president. It felt like Doug was a bit out of place on Capitol Hill. I thought: 'What is my goofy dad doing here?'"

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Aug 20, 2024, 7:55 PM EDT

DNC roll call commences

The roll call for the DNC has begun.

State delegates will go in alphabetical order, with a DJ playing music related to each state.

DJ Cassidy performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024 in Chicago.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Aug 20, 2024, 7:51 PM EDT

Josh Shapiro: Harris showing 'real momentum'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis in an interview from the DNC that he is seeing "incredible enthusiasm" for the Harris-Walz campaign on the ground.

"Kamala Harris is showing up in communities that are oftentimes ignored and left behind," Shapiro said, adding that she's sending a message to Pennsylvanians that she cares about them.

"I think as this race progresses, you're going to continue to see real momentum on her part," he said.

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) about the importance of delivering the state for Harris-Walz and the momentum he sees on the ground.
6:53

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Harris-Walz ticket

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) about the importance of delivering the state for Harris-Walz and the momentum he sees on the ground.
ABCNews.com

Aug 20, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT

Trump friends -- and foes -- on the ground in Chicago

Spotted at the United Center snapping selfies was Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney who was a star witness in his New York hush money trial.

Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump, attends the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024 in Chicago.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, continued to hold its daily press conference this morning just three miles away from the DNC site to "remind folks what Donald Trump is running for."

At the press conference, which focused on the issue of crime, Rep. Byron Donalds sought to counter Harris' prosecutor persona by painting her as soft on crime and pointing to some of her previous statements -- including her previous call to "redirect resources" from police.

Donalds also pushed a familiar line of attack against the Harris campaign -- that they are lacking in enough policy positions and instead are focusing on "joy and vibes."

ABC News asked the Florida Republican what type of messaging he is looking to see from Trump on the campaign trail this week amid tightening polls.

"I think this election is really a choice election, it's a contrast election, even more so than some others. We have very stark differences with Kamala," Donalds said, while pointing to the subjects of immigration, crime and foreign policy.

-ABC News' Olivia Rubin