Former Secretary of Defense makes national security case for Harris administration
On the fourth and final day of the Democratic convention, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta veered from dominant themes of reproductive rights, civil rights and justice to appeal directly to national security and the armed forces in his endorsement of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Panetta slammed Trump’s dealings with foreign leaders and said a Harris-Walz administration would defend democracy against what he called “tyrants and terrorists.”
More: DNC live updates: Kamala Harris accepts Democratic presidential nomination
The Democratic convention is in Chicago through Thursday evening, when Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to formally accept the party’s presidential nomination for the 2024 election.
Watch Leon Panetta’s full speech here:
What to know about former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
- Who he is? Leon Panetta served as the Secretary of Defense under former President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2013. Before serving as Secretary of Defense, Panetta held a spread of positions under Democratic administrations, including as Director of the CIA and White House Chief of Staff.
- What role does he play? Panetta still regularly appears on talk shows and panels to discuss national security and foreign policy. His presence at the DNC will likely help give the Harris/Walz ticket credibility in those areas.
- Key quote: “Trump tells tyrants like Putin they can do whatever the hell they want. Kamala Harris tells tyrants, ‘The hell you can. Not on my watch.’”
When and where is the DNC?
The DNC takes 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”