Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders Keynote Democratic National Convention

Monday night, the Democratic National Convention began, virtually, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The night started off with the national anthem sung by children from around the nation, and a request to stand “or kneel” or the anthem, whichever the viewer preferred.

Racial issues and the coronavirus pandemic were the two main issues that were discussed most frequently on Monday evening, with many of the participants making clear that they blamed President Trump for failing to adequately respond to the pandemic.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt, who has said Joe Biden has the potential to be the “most progressive president since Theodore Roosevelt,” spoke in the second hour.

“We’re facing the worst public health crisis in 100 years… we are confronting systemic racism and the enormous threat to our planet of climate change,” Sen. Sanders began.

Video from MSNBC

Addressing his supporters in the 2020 presidential race, Sen Sanders exhorted them to support Joe Biden for president.

“Our campaign ended… but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day. Many of the ideas we fought for, that just a few years were considered ‘radical,’ are now mainstream,” Sen. Sanders said.

Additionally, Sen. Sanders claimed that President Trump’s actions “fanned” the coronavirus pandemic.

“Together, we must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate, and more inclusive,” Sen. Sanders also said while explaining his support for Joe Biden.

“Joe will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and fight the threat of climate change by transitioning us to 100% clean electricity over the next 15 years,” Sen. Sanders stated while calling for unity within the Democrat party.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke last.

“It’s a hard time, and everyone’s feeling it in different ways,” Obama began.

“Too many people have lost their healthcare… too many communities have been left in the lurch with whether and how to open our schools safely,” the former first lady stated.

Video from MSNBC

“A nation that’s underperforming not simply on matters of policy, but on matters of character. And that’s not just disappointing, that’s downright infuriating,” she said.

Actress and convention moderator, Eva Longoria, passed the baton to other celebrities and politicians including District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., professional women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, R.

The theme of this year’s Democratic National Convention is “Uniting America.” The next three nights will also feature speakers for two hours from 9PM-11PM EST, with Joe Biden expected to accept the Democrat nomination for president on Thursday night.

You can follow this author on Twitter @MettlerZachary

Photo from CNBC via YouTube

Visit our Election 2020 page