Watch Nancy Pelosi's DNC speech Wednesday night endorsing Kamala Harris
Comedian Mindy Kaling introduced former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to the Democratic delegation in Chicago as "the mother of dragons," to the enthusiastic roar of approval from the crowd on Wednesday evening.
During her speech, the California congresswoman praised President Joe Biden’s administration as one of the most accomplished in modern times. She went on to wholeheartedly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, condemned former President Donald Trump for his role in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and gave her stamp of approval for vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Pelosi’s encouragement that Biden step aside from the presidential race last month is overwhelmingly considered the straw that broke the camel’s back in the president’s embattled final weeks as presumptive nominee. Her decision to step in has strained her relationship with some in the current administration, with some longtime Biden staffers making little effort to contain their anger. Others, namely those supportive of Harris, have praised Pelosi’s intervention.
Cheekier displays of Pelosi’s influence were seen during the convention’s first few days.
During the roll-call vote Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a rising star eyeing a presidential bid in 2028, introduced himself as “from the great state of Nancy Pelosi.” And among attendees, some wore pins of Pelosi’s face, her visage printed in a stark black-and-white proclaiming her “The Godmother” — an homage to “The Godfather” ’s patriarch character.
The DNC wraps on Thursday but not before Harris accepts the party’s presidential nomination on the convention’s final day.
DNC Day 3 live updates: Tim Walz, Bill Clinton to take the stage Wednesday
Watch Nancy Pelosi’s complete DNC convention speech
What to know about Rep. Nancy Pelosi
- Who is she? Pelosi served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, the first woman to do so. For 20 years, she has been a member of the Democratic House leadership and has long cemented her position as one of the most influential Democratic lawmakers and intraparty power brokers.
- What role does she play? Pelosi’s encouragement that Biden step aside from the race last month is seen as the final push ending his campaign — which both complicated her relationship with the president and opened the door to Harris’ Democratic nomination.
- Key quote: “When the sun rose on Jan. 7, as our national anthem declared, we gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Now, in this election, we are called upon to do the same, to stand together, to reject autocracy, to choose democracy.”
When and where is the DNC
The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.
Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton nominated for a second time.
How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC
The convention will air live on its website from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.
Paste BN will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.
What are the themes for each night of the DNC?
The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is “For the People, For Our Future.”
Here are the themes for each night:
- Monday: “For the People”
- Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future”
- Wednesday: “A Fight for our Freedoms”
- Thursday: “For our Future”