Doug Emhoff, Poking Fun at Himself, Praises Wife Kamala Harris at Democratic Convention
Chicago, Democratic National Convention
Doug Emhoff, the man fondly referred to as the second gentleman, held the audience’s attention with a speech centered on his passionate support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Throughout his address on Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, Emhoff weaved stories from their personal life, voiced his unwavering trust in her abilities and urged fellow Americans to trust her with their future.
Committed Support with a Sprinkle of Humor
Emhoff’s tone oscillated between earnest admiration and comedic self-deprecation as he highlighted his wife’s strength in the face of challenges. Following a tumultuous time that saw Joe Biden’s exit from the political race, Kamala took the reins of the Democratic party. Emhoff praised her ability to rise to the occasion, infuse the struggling party with fresh enthusiasm, and turn around its fate. In Emhoff’s words, “That’s who she is. Whenever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion.”
Reintroducing Kamala Harris: The Person
Simultaneously, Emhoff delicately painted a personal image of Kamala Harris. He reminisced on her zeal for justice, her resilience against bullies and her unfailing integrity even during hard times. Evoking the strength of her empathy, he said, “She finds joy in pursuing justice. She stands up to bullies just like my parents taught me to. She likes to see people do well, but hates when they are treated unfairly. She believes this work requires a curiosity in how people are doing. Her empathy is her strength.”
Humorous High Point: The Memorable Voicemail
Injecting a lighter moment into his address, Emhoff told an endearing story of a clumsy voicemail he left for Harris during their early days. The tale took the audience back to a time when he was juggling life post-divorce along with fatherhood. His account of the voicemail, laced with a hilarious self-awareness, served as a testament to the resilience and good humor that defines their relationship. Harris, he admitted, saves the message to play it each year on their anniversary as a reminder of their origin.
American People Urged To Trust Kamala Harris
The crux of Emhoff’s speech lay in his call to the American people to trust Kamala Harris with their futures much like he did when he initially dialed her number. Delivering a stirring salute to her character on all fronts – personal and professional – he confidently asked the country to invest their trust in his wife’s abilities.
