Democrats turned down for his or her conference roll name vote Tuesday evening, with a shock efficiency by rapper Lil Jon performing his his “Flip Down for What.”

This yr’s conference roll name vote was strictly ceremonial — Democrats had already formally confirmed Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential nominee earlier this month in a digital roll name vote, and went on to bless Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her operating mate.

So with no formal tasks to handle, Democrats emphasised the ceremonial, with a whip across the states and territories that included a DJ, fashionable music and particular friends.

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Georgia’s visitor, Lil Jon, appeared within the stands to carry out as he walked towards the remainder of the state delegation and state chairwoman, Rep. Nikema Williams.

“DNC, flip down for what?” Lil Jon rapped as he walked down onto the conference ground.

“VP Harris, gimme the Walz,” he appeared to sing, because the hook to a different certainly one of his hits, “Get Low” ft. the East Facet Boys, started. (The tune contains the road “to the window, to the wall.”)

Different states leaned on fashionable songs as they took to the microphones: Kansas featured the tune “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas (although the tune was partially overshadowed by somebody screaming into the microphone that they could not hear).

Massachusetts forged its votes to the Dropkick Murphy’s tune “Transport As much as Boston,” whereas Mississippi voted as blues music performed and Michigan voted to “Lose Your self” by Eminem.

New Jersey voted to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born Within the USA,” with Gov. Phil Murphy declaring: “We’re from Jersey, child, and you are not.” For the Wisconsin vote, Home of Ache’s “Soar Round,” which is featured at College of Wisconsin soccer video games, was the theme music. For Florida’s vote, Tom Petty’s “Will not Again Down” performed.

Arkansas performed “Do not Cease” by Fleetwood Mac, the marketing campaign tune of native son and former President Invoice Clinton, whereas North Carolina voted as Petey Pablo’s “Increase Up,” which repeatedly refers back to the state in its refrain, performed within the background.

“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi performed as Puerto Rico forged its votes. “Get on Up” by James Brown served because the soundtrack for South Carolina’s votes. Dolly Parton’s “9 to five” rang out as Tennessee took its flip. “Stick Season,” a tune by up-and-coming Vermont artist Noah Kahan, rang out as his dwelling state voted. John Denver’s “Take Me Residence, Nation Roads” performed behind West Virginia’s vote. And as California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched Harris’ dwelling state delegation, Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” performed, amongst different songs.

Actor Wendell Pierce appeared with the Louisiana delegation and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took the microphone to “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Challenge, a tune finest identified for kicking off Chicago Bulls video games.

Actor Sean Astin, who performed the titular character within the film “Rudy” about an underdog Notre Dame soccer participant, joined the Indiana delegation amid “Rudy!” chants. Director and actor Spike Lee joined the New York delegation as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State Of Thoughts” performed.

The conference roll name has lengthy been one of many extra hokey components of political conventions, which could be hokey occasions by nature. State delegations of each events usually embody particular friends and take the time to emphasise their states’ claims to fame.

In 2020, the Democrats held a digital roll name as a consequence of pandemic-era gathering restrictions and featured video from state delegations.

One memorable video was from the Rhode Island delegation, that includes state get together chair Joseph McNamara dubbing his state the “calamari comeback state” as a person stood subsequent to him holding a heaping plate of the fried appetizer.

The “Calamari Man” did not make a repeat look, because the chef advised The Related Press that he is backing former President Donald Trump in 2024.

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CHICAGO — U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks on Tuesday night time described Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris — her good friend and mentor — as a tricky former prosecutor who “has reminded us that we don’t must worry something.”

Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County government and in addition a former prosecutor, mentioned she has recognized Harris for 14 years. Her fiery speech to the Democratic Nationwide Conference was, in impact, a personality reference specializing in the vice chairman’s capability to face as much as criminals.

“Hear me, Kamala Harris is aware of methods to maintain criminals off the streets. And are available November, together with your assist, she’ll maintain one out of the Oval Workplace,” Alsobrooks mentioned, referring to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who awaits sentencing on his conviction in a New York hush-money trial.

Alsobrooks is operating towards Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan for the seat held by the retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat.

The Maryland conference delegation, positioned close to the stage, chanted “Angela, Angela” earlier than and after her speech. Members wore Alsobrooks marketing campaign stickers handed out by the Maryland Democratic Get together.

With Maryland thought of a battleground within the race for U.S. Senate management, Alsobrooks secured a chief talking spot on the conference stage. Former President Barack Obama was the night’s featured keynote speaker.

Alsobrooks mentioned Harris had been a “tremendous unhealthy district legal professional” in San Francisco earlier than she was California legal professional normal after which a U.S. senator and vice chairman. She mentioned she had modeled one in every of Harris’ applications to fight recidivism.

“Kamala has reminded us that we don’t must worry something — not the longer term and definitely not that man,” she mentioned, referring to Trump. “That is our second to go away Donald Trump the place he belongs — in America’s previous.”

The race between Alsobrooks and Hogan has attracted nationwide curiosity — and nationwide cash.

DNC dwell protection: Wes Moore, Angela Alsobrooks to talk

Tremendous PAC {dollars} are flowing to the state as by no means earlier than, maybe rivaling the affect of the candidates’ personal campaigns or nationwide events. Tremendous PACs can increase limitless sums from people, firms and unions.

Each events are watching the race carefully.

Democrats maintain a 51-49 voting majority within the U.S. Senate. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a longtime Democrat who’s now an impartial, is retiring, and Democrats should defend a handful of seats in November in states that Democratic President Joe Biden narrowly received in 2020.

Alsobrooks would turn out to be Maryland’s first Black senator. Harris can be first lady to turn out to be president.

“I’m honored to be delivering a keynote handle tonight on the Democratic Nationwide Conference,” Alsobrooks mentioned in a ready assertion earlier than the speech. “I’ve recognized Kamala Harris for fourteen years, and I stay up for sharing precisely why she goes to make an unbelievable President of the US.”

Marylanders, she mentioned, “deserve a future we are able to all be pleased with — one the place our freedoms are protected, and our households can thrive.”

Harris got here to Prince George’s County not too long ago and urged Marylanders to vote for Alsobrooks.

Initially Printed: August 20, 2024 at 5:32 p.m.

She went on to grow to be the primary lady and youngest particular person ever elected state’s legal professional within the county. Beneath her tenure as prime legislation enforcement officer, violent crime dropped. She additionally established a first-of-its-kind unit to analyze and prosecute police and official misconduct.

Her political star continued to rise when she turned the primary lady elected to her current position as county govt for Prince George’s County, a suburban enclave outdoors of Washington, D.C., and one of many wealthiest majority-Black communities within the nation. Throughout her tenure, she has centered on job creation and financial alternative; youth funding and training. She has additionally prioritized well being care entry, and offering psychological well being and habit remedy.

Now, she says she is able to take her expertise to Capitol Hill.

She is without doubt one of the audio system slated to handle the nation on Tuesday night time from the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago.

When President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Prince George’s County, Maryland final Thursday, Alsobrooks was among the many officers who welcomed them.

Biden referred to her as “soon-to-be senator,” whereas Harris, a former senator herself who has endorsed Alsobrooks’ bid, instructed the viewers, “I’ve labored together with her over time. … you’re going to do an awesome factor whenever you ship her to the USA Senate.”

Again on the Japanese Shore, Alsobrooks shed her go well with jacket. As seagulls soared overhead and boats bobbed within the waters, she took the chance to talk to yet one more group of Marylanders a few vary of points, from defending the setting and the Chesapeake Bay, to reproductive freedoms for girls.

Jessica Mackler, president of Emily’s Checklist, a PAC that backs Democratic, pro-choice ladies candidates, instructed NBC Information, “We got here out shortly and strongly with our assist for her.” 

Through its impartial expenditure arm, Ladies Vote, the PAC has invested $2.6 million within the Alsobrooks marketing campaign, Mackler mentioned, a few of which can underwrite adverts highlighting the stakes of this race.

Ray Bogan

INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RFK JR IS STRUGGLING.

BOTH IN THE POLLS – AND FINANCIALLY. 

ACCORDING TO FINANCIAL REPORTS, THE KENNEDY CAMPAIGN SPENT $7 MILLION IN JULY BUT ONLY RAISED $5.6 MILLION. 

NOW HE’S LEFT WITH JUST $3-POINT-9-MILLION IN THE BANK – AND HAS NEARLY 3-POINT-5-MILLION IN DEBT. 

VO:

THEN THERE’S THE ISSUE OF HIS POLLING. 

LAST FALL, KENNEDY HAD MORE THAN 15% SUPPORT NATIONALLY, NOW THE REAL CLEAR POLITICS AVERAGE PUTS HIM AT JUST 4.5%. 

HE’S STILL FIGHTING TO APPEAR ON SEVERAL BALLOTS.

IN NEW YORK, HE’S APPEALING A JUDGE’S RULING THAT KICKED HIM OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE COURT CALLED “A SHAM,” RESIDENCY CLAIM.

HE’S ALSO FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES IN GEORGIA. CRITICS ACCUSE RFK JR OF TRYING TO USE FAKE ADDRESSES TO SECURE HIS PLACE ON THE BALLOT. 

AND IT SEEMS HIS INNER CIRCLE IS PREPARING FOR THE END OF THE RACE. 

IN A RECENT PODCAST INTERVIEW, HIS RUNNING MATE, NICOLE SHANAHAN, SAYS THE CAMPAIGN IS LOOKING AT TWO OPTIONS: 

Nicole Shanahan

“ONE…. OR JOIN FORCES WITH TRUMP”

Ray Bogan

KENNEDY HAS NOT MADE A PUBLIC CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE SINCE EARLY JULY. AND IN RECENT WEEKS, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT HE HAS SOUGHT POSITIONS IN POTENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS. 

WE’LL BE WATCHING CLOSELY. STAY UP TO THE MINUTE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BY DOWNLOADING THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP.

Stephanie Grisham, former press secretary for former President Donald Trump, spoke on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago on Tuesday, an evening dedicated to bringing “daring imaginative and prescient” to America’s future and a brand new technology of Democratic management.

Watch Grisham’s remarks within the participant above.

Recounting her time as a part of Trump’s administration, Grisham mentioned she was greater than a supporter, noting she spent holidays with the household.

However behind closed doorways, she mentioned, “He has no empathy, no morals, and no constancy to the reality.” She famous she was the primary senior workers member to resign through the Capitol rebellion on Jan. 6, 2021, and that she now helps Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Kamala Harris tells the reality, she respects the American individuals, and he or she has my vote,” Grisham concluded.

Later within the week, Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will formally settle for their nominations because the get together’s candidates.

Discover extra of our DNC 2024 protection

The NPR Community will likely be reporting reside from Chicago all through the week bringing you the most recent on the Democratic Nationwide Conference.

Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White Home Press Secretary, opened by describing herself as not solely a Trump supporter, however a “true believer” who spent holidays with the Trump household.

That perception shattered, Grisham stated, due to what she noticed “when the cameras have been off.”

“He has no empathy, no morals, and no constancy to the reality,” she stated.

Grisham, who was additionally an aide to Melania Trump, stated that throughout the January sixth revolt, the previous First Woman refused her request to make a social media submit calling for peace and opposing “lawlessness” and “violence.”

Watch her full remarks:

In a 2021 interview with NPR, Grisham stated she anxious that Trump would use one other time period in workplace “for revenge and retribution and possibly actually draconian insurance policies that can have an effect on our nation for a really, very very long time.”

Grisham is amongst a number of conference audio system from the ranks of former White Home staffers and Republican elected officers, together with former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former White Home nationwide safety official Olivia Troye, who’re anticipated to talk later this week.

Former Trump supporter Kyle Sweetser of Alabama, a member of the Haley Voters Working Group, can also be set to talk Tuesday evening. Sweetser backed former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley within the main, hoping to vote for a Republican ticket. However he says he won’t vote for Trump once more and is throwing his weight behind Harris.

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth spoke Tuesday on the second night time of the Democratic Nationwide Conference, sending a message to American households and the Republican occasion about reproductive rights: “Keep out of our physician’s workplaces!”

The second-term senator and Iraq Conflict veteran, has been an advocate for in vitro fertilization rights and incapacity rights. Duckworth, who struggled for ten years with infertility, known as the expertise “extra painful than any wound I earned on the battlefield.”

The conference is underway in Chicago till Thursday. On the primary night time, Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris made some shock remarks and President Joe Biden capped off the night with a speech recounting his achievements.

Democratic conference reside updates:Barack Obama, Michelle Obama set to take the stage

Watch Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s full DNC speech right here

Signal-up for Your Vote: Textual content with the USA TODAY elections group.

What to learn about Sen. Tammy Duckworth

• Who’s she? Illinois Senator, Iraq struggle veteran and advocate for veterans and households
• What position does she play? She is the primary sitting Senator to provide beginning whereas in workplace. She is highlighting the excellence between Trump and Harris’ reproductive insurance policies.
• Key quotes: “Trump’s anti-woman campaign has put different People’ proper to have their very own households in danger, trigger in the event that they win, Republicans is not going to cease at banning abortion. They’ll come for IVF subsequent. They will prosecute medical doctors. They’ll disgrace and spy on girls, and should you assume that is far-fetched, simply search for what occurred in Alabama final 12 months.”
• “How dare the GOP endanger the goals of numerous veterans whose fight wounds stop them from having children with out IVF, punishing our heroes for his or her willingness to serve. It is easy, each American deserves the correct to be known as ‘Mommy’ or ‘Daddy’ with out being handled like a prison.”

When and the place is the DNC

The Democratic Nationwide Conference will happen from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Middle, dwelling of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, would be the primary venue for the DNC.

Chicago has hosted the Democratic Conference 11 occasions, most just lately in 1996 when the United Middle noticed President Invoice Clinton was nominated for a second time.

How you can watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The conference will air reside on its web site, from the United Middle in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Jap (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and seven p.m to 11 p.m. Jap (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the opposite days.

USA TODAY will present livestream protection on YouTube every night time of the DNC, Monday via Thursday.

What are the themes for every night time of the DNC?

The DNC introduced nightly themes for the conference. The title of the conference is “For the Folks, For Our Future.”

Listed below are the themes for every night time:

• Monday: “For the Folks”
• Tuesday: “A Daring Imaginative and prescient for America’s Future”
• Wednesday: “A Combat for our Freedoms”
• Thursday: “For our Future”

Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth referred to as for in-vitro fertilization protections throughout a quick speech on the Democratic Nationwide Conference Tuesday night time.

“Trump’s anti-woman campaign has put different Individuals’ proper to have their very own households in danger,” she stated. “Trigger in the event that they win, Republicans won’t cease at banning abortion. They’ll come for IVF subsequent. They’ll prosecute medical doctors. They’ll disgrace and spy on ladies.”

The gang erupted into cheers as Duckworth informed Trump to “keep out of our physician’s workplaces … and out of the Oval Workplace, too.”

Duckworth didn’t cease at lambasting Trump, nevertheless.

“How dare JD Vance criticize childless ladies on TV information, then vote towards laws that will truly assist Individuals to start out households,” she stated.

Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, made her feedback as abortion has taken middle stage on the conference. IVF additionally has develop into the newest entrance within the political battle over reproductive rights, particularly after the Alabama Supreme Court docket dominated embryos are kids underneath the regulation, threatening entry to IVF within the state.

The problem can also be key for Duckworth, who had her two kids with the help of IVF. She has launched laws to ascertain federal protections for IVF and different types of assisted reproductive know-how, however the measure was blocked by Senate Republicans.

“Each American deserves the fitting to be referred to as ‘Mommy’ or ‘Daddy’ with out being handled like a prison,” she stated.

A fight veteran who misplaced each legs within the Iraq Warfare, Duckworth was the primary disabled lady elected to Congress and have become the primary sitting senator to present start.

She was first elected to Congress in 2012 when she defeated a Republican incumbent, then-U.S. Rep Joe Walsh. 4 years later she received her seat within the Senate, defeating Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, the place she has served since.

Thought-about a rising star throughout the Democratic Get together, Duckworth was as soon as shortlisted by President Joe Biden for vp.

Calling out her time within the navy, Duckworth referred to as Trump a “five-time draft-dodging coward” and stated he was making an attempt to remove rights and freedoms.

“Let me say to each would-be dad or mum: I see you,” she stated. “I’m with you.”

Initially Revealed: August 20, 2024 at 8:25 p.m.