CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama, arguably the most popular person in the Democratic Party, will deliver his remarks to the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night long but the party’s current leaders will be elsewhere.
When Mr. Obama takes the stage in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be in Milwaukee for a campaign rally and watch party.
President Biden departed immediately after his remarks last night, flying to California for a week-long vacation, and isn’t expected to reemerge in the public eye until after Labor Day.
In addition to Mr. Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama will speak to the Democratic crowd. Mrs. Obama is so popular that she was rumored to be a potential replacement for Mr. Biden after his disastrous debate performance, but she never openly pursued the job.
Mr. Obama is expected to make the case why Ms. Harris is qualified to be president and defeat former President Donald Trump. He endorsed her roughly five days after Mr. Biden stepped aside, a move that was critical in her securing the nomination and avoiding a potentially ugly intraparty fight.
The speech comes on the 20th anniversary of his remarks at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in support of presidential candidate John Kerry. While Mr. Kerry lost that election, Mr. Obama delivered a powerful speech that catapulted him into the national consciousness and positioned him to win the presidency four years later.
Also speaking Tuesday night are second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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