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CNN Live Event/Special
Final Night Of Historic DNC Under Way; Mark Kelly Speaks At DNC; Elected Veterans Take The Stage At DNC. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired August 22, 2024 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[21:00:00]
DAVID AXELROD, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Let me give you a little clue. I think he's going to try that.
SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes.
AXELROD: I don't know whether it'll work. But last night, Oprah said commonsense versus nonsense.
JENNINGS: Yes.
AXELROD: I think you're going to hear a little more of that. I'd just like to say something else. We saw the vice presidential nominee, with his son, Gus.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.
AXELROD: Who -- he -- completely disarming, last night, with his joy. He also came under attack, from some really tasteless people, because he's someone who has some developmental disabilities, intellectual differences.
What's going on, on that floor, right now, is a celebration of a big, generous acceptance of people. And I think that's the greatness of America, and Gus is part of it.
COOPER: It is. It is, indeed. It is incredibly. I mean, it is, just the energy coming off is strong.
You are watching CNN. We're at the top of the hour. Welcome to our continuing coverage of this, the fourth and final night of the Democratic convention.
Let's get to Sara Sidner down in the crowd.
Sara?
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR & SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: --to this music, Born in the U.S.A., The Boss. I am here with the Maryland delegation. And one after the other, they all have their flags in hand, Anderson. Patriotism is on the top of the ticket tonight.
Tell me how you're feeling about being here. What does it feel like in here that people outside do not know? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The energy is so tremendous. This is what America is all about, our shared values. We're all in this together. And we couldn't be more excited for the next 74 days to march into November.
SIDNER: All right. You have the coolest name, Januari, spelled with an I, McKay. What's it been like being here today?
JANUARI MCKAY, MARYLAND: It's been so amazing. It's an extremely electrifying night. Just hearing from everyone about how we are all connected, to the Vice President and the Governor, and why we are supporting them, to be our next president and vice president, it's just an amazing experience.
SIDNER: Januari, thank you so much. I appreciate it.
And going to toss it back to you, Jake, and Anderson.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Thanks so much, Sara.
We're hearing James Brown's "Living in America."
And I have to say, Abby, despite the logistical challenges that have existed, especially in the first night, and then people were having tough time getting into the arena, tonight.
TAPPER: This is one of the most -- this is one of the best-produced events--
Voice of ABBY PHILLIP, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.
TAPPER: --in terms of a political event that I've ever attended.
And right now, the energy is palpable. American flags all over the entire arena. It's pretty remarkable.
PHILLIP: Oh, yes, they've gotten it together big time. And I think that they're dealing with now too many people, who want to be a part of this event.
We were all at the RNC. We're at the DNC, now. The RNC was an electrifying environment, for many of those nights.
But this is different, tonight, I think. It feels to me like there is an enormous amount of energy and happiness in this room, which is a bit of a contrast, from what we saw, about four weeks ago, at the RNC, which was a little more solemn at times.
And the anticipation, here, for all kinds of surprises, tonight, I think, is really overwhelming. All I'll say is the DJ played Beyonce, and this place went wild--
TAPPER: Yes.
PHILLIP: --for like five seconds, so.
TAPPER: Yes.
DANA BASH, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: They sure did.
TAPPER: They thought -- they thought something -- they thought something was happening.
Voice of BASH: And this -- you could see it on the screen. In-person, to see this sea of American flags that were given out, to all of the delegates. Patriotism is definitely the watch word, here tonight. It is not an accident that this is what they are leaning into. This is the theme of -- one of the main themes, of Kamala Harris' discussion, and what they say they are trying to reclaim from Republicans.
TAPPER: Here are The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, who are going to sing the national anthem.
ANNOUNCER: Please stand if you are able and welcome winners of 13 Grammy Awards and the biggest female group of all time, The Chicks.
[21:05:00]
(THE CHICKS live performance)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome Kerry Washington.
(MUSIC)
KERRY WASHINGTON, ACTRESS: Welcome, welcome to the final night of the Democratic National Convention. The last three nights have been extraordinary, and tonight we hear from our next president, Kamala Harris.
Now as I stand here, I know that there are folks on social media already saying go back to your TV show. Shut up and act, but I am not here tonight as an actor. I am here as a mother, as a daughter, as a proud union member. I am here as the granddaughter of immigrants, as a black woman descended from enslaved people.
I am here tonight because I am an American and because I am a voter, and because we the people are stronger when all of our voices are heard.
Look, I know that I am the one standing on this stage, but I am not the lead character in this story, you are, all of you. You are the messengers. You are the fixers. Dare I say it, you are the Olivia Popes. You are the super hero saving this democracy.
It is you, not me, who has the greatest power to convince your loved ones to vote. So just like Michelle Obama told us, let's do something.
Let's make a video. Everybody take out your phones. Everybody take out your phones. We are going to make a moment. Can someone bring me my phone? I went to capture this historic moment and share it with the people that we love. Oh hi.
Okay, here is what we're going to do. We are going to take this video, guys.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
We're all going to take it together. We're going to post it to social media. Text your friends, send this message out into the world.
When I say, when we fight, you're going to say --
CROWD: We win!
WASHINGTON: Are you ready? Okay, let's record. We're recording. Are you ready, Tony?
TONY GOLDWYN, ACTOR: Yep, I'm ready.
WASHINGTON: Okay, ready?
WASHINGTON & GOLDWYN: When we fight --
CROWD: We win!
WASHINGTON & GOLDWYN: When we fight --
CROWD: We win!
WASHINGTON: Are you ready for Kamala Harris to win? Good because when Kamala wins, America wins. We did it. We did it, Joe. Thank you, Tony.
GOLDWYN: I don't get to stay?
WASHINGTON: No you've got to go.
GOLDWYN: Bye, everybody.
WASHINGTON: Tony Goldwyn, ladies and gentlemen.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
WASHINGTON: Okay, so listen it's come to my attention that there are some folks who struggle or pretend to struggle with the proper pronunciation of our future president s name. So hear me out, confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.
[21:10:00]
So tonight we are going to help everyone get it right. Here to help me are some very special guests. Thank you, ladies. Can you tell us your name?
AMARA: Hello, everybody my name is Amara.
LEELA: And my name is Leela, her little sister. WASHINGTON: And what are you here to do?
AMARA: To teach you how to say our auntie's name.
WASHINGTON: Okay, so how do you pronounce it?
AMARA: First, you say Kamala like a comma in a sentence.
LEELA: Then you say, la like la, la, la, la, la.
WASHINGTON: Put it together and it's one, two, three. Kamala.
All right. So, let's practice, let's practice.
AMARA: Everybody over here say Kama.
CROWD: Kama!
LEELA: Everybody over here say la.
CROWD: La!
WASHINGTON: Together.
CROWD: Kamala! Kamala! Kamala!
WASHINGTON: For president.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(CROWD chanting Kamala!)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome, Meena Harris, Ella Emhoff, and Helena Hudlin.
MEENA HARRIS, NIECE OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: Hi, I'm Meena.
ELLA EMHOFF, STEPDAUGHTER OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: I'm Ella.
HELENA HUDLIN, GODDAUGHTER OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: And I'm Helena.
M. HARRIS: I grew up in Oakland, California, in a house full of extraordinary women. My mom, my grandma and my auntie who showed me the meaning of service, helping her sister, a 17-year-old single mom fighting for justice for the American people and still cooking Sunday family dinner.
She guided me, now she's guiding my own children, and I know she'll guide our country forward.
E. EMHOFF: Kamala came into my life when I was 14, famously a very easy time for a teenager. Like a lot of young people. I didn't always understand what I was
feeling, but no matter what, Kamala was there for me. She was patient, caring, and always took me seriously. She's never stopped listening to me and she's not going to stop listening to all of us.
HUDLIN: Kamala Harris is my godmother. To me, her advice means everything, whether it's pursuing my passions, making an impact or finding hope when the world doesn't feel so hopeful. She taught me that making a difference means giving your whole heart and taking action.
M. HARRIS: She's fighting for economic opportunity, LGBTQ+ equality, and reproductive freedom because we are not going back.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
E. EMHOFF: She's fighting for social justice, health justice, environmental justice and she isn't alone. We're all in this fight together.
HUDLIN: So let's keep up the fight. Let's keep up the joy.
M. HARRIS: And let's elect this extraordinary woman as our next president.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome, actor and comedian D.L. Hughley.
D.L. HUGHLEY, ACTOR & COMEDIAN: Hey now. Hey, Chicago! How y'all doing?
(CHEERING)
HUGHLEY: What's happened in California?
(CHEERING)
HUGHLEY: No, wait, wait, where those AKAs (sp?) at? Where they at?
(CHEERING)
HUGHLEY: You know what? In three months, ain't going to be no living with y'all.
I can tell you this, I don't blame Donald Trump for not wanting to debate Kamala. I've been married to a Black woman for 40 years and I ain't won one debate.
(LAUGHTER)
HUGHLEY: I'm 0 in 93,000. [21:15:00]
Now, of course, Trump is saying that Kamala isn't black. I guarantee you this: Kamala s been black a lot longer than Trump's been a Republican.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: And if he keeps sliding in the polls the way he is, the only thing, the only way he can keep Kamala out of the White House is if he buys it and refuses to rent to her.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: Of course, Kamala is getting broad support. They've got Black men for Kamala, white men for Kamala, Latinos and Asians for Kamala. They even have Republicans for Kamala.
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: Republicans for Kamala. I guess Donald Trump will finally know what it's like when you get left for a younger woman.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: All right.
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: But, seriously, Kamala knows the truth about the American dream. That hard work is not alone enough -- hard work alone is not enough to succeed. That you need access and information and opportunity. And she knows that some folks are often denied those very things. As president, she will give each and every one of us a fair shot in life.
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: But I have to admit I didn't always believe that. I mean, if you told me, the 15-year-old me would be on stage supporting a prosecutor and a teacher?
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: There is no way that I would've believed you. But because of that I made assumptions about Kamala's record. And I often repeated them to a lot of people. Then one day Kamala invited me to her house, she put her hand on my shoulder and she asked me to do some research. Something I had never done. Something a lot of people I know had never done before.
Imagine attacking someone's character without a single Google search. So I did what I should've done in the first place. I learned that she had done for us exactly what she promised to. I believe that your apology should be as loud as your accusation. And I'm here apologizing in front of the whole damn world.
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: I am. I was wrong. I was wrong. And I'm so very glad I was wrong, because, Kamala, you give me hope for the future, a future where my grandchildren, Nola and Stevie, have the freedom to control their own bodies, where they have the opportunity to go as far as their wits and their talents will take them. That future, ladies and gentlemen, is possible but only if we elect Kamala Harris as the 47th president of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
HUGHLEY: I will say this to you, the best piece of advice I've ever gotten in my entire life is you don't have to know what you will do, just know what you won't. And we won't go back!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY WASHINGTON, ACTRESS: The energy in this room is electric.
(APPLAUSE)
And you can feel it everywhere, all over the country. In the coming weeks I want us to find ways to maintain this energy and this joy and this commitment, because there will be days when the work ahead seems impossible. And when that happens, I know what I do. I get involved. I get engaged. I ask myself, how can I be of service to my community? Because community is why we do this. Am I right?
CROWD: Yes!
WASHINGTON: Yes! We do this for our children, for our parents, for our teachers and care workers who treat our loved ones like their own. We do this for working families who make this country thrive. We do this for the planet and for each other. We do this for justice and for peace and democracy and, as we are about to hear, we do this for the safety of our communities.
(APPLAUSE)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome Genesee County, Michigan, Sheriff Chris Swanson.
(APPLAUSE)
[21:20:00] CHRIS SWANSON, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, SHERIFF: My job is to protect people. All people. In 2020 righteous anger spilled over into the streets of Flint, Michigan. One bad decision from either side, and there would have been bloodshed, but that didn't happen. We laid down our riot gear and we embraced the community, and instead of hate we chose hope.
(APPLAUSE)
SWANSON: On January 6th, the opposite occurred. That day was paved with division, deceit, and denigration. Police officers were attacked that day. It could have been stopped. We need a leader who will embody what's affixed to all three sides of my sheriff patrol cars. Protect, Serve, and Unify.
(CHEERING)
SWANSON: Kamala Harris is that leader.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
SWANSON: As a prosecutor, Kamala Harris protected us by putting violent criminals and sex offenders behind bars. If I was in a courtroom, she's exactly the tough prosecutor that I'd want to see. As vice president, she served America by keeping us safer. And I can testify firsthand, where I come from, crime is down and police funding is up.
(CHEERING)
SWANSON: As president, Kamala Harris will unify our country. She will bring us together, because our country needs a leader who will go toe- to-toe with drug cartels and bullies.
(CHEERING)
SWANSON: One who has already taken the oath, raised her right hand to advocate for the people. I can tell you, in 2020, we were able to turn a protest into a peaceful movement by walking together. One city, one community, and one country.
(CHEERING)
SWANSON: America, let's walk. Let's walk. Let's walk together and let's elect Kamala Harris, and turn hate into hope yet again. Thank you.
(CHEERING)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. LUCY MCBATH, MEMBER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, GA: We were contemplating adopting, and then, out of nowhere, I got pregnant. Jordan was so much fun as a child. UNIDENTIFIED MALE #1: When all of a sudden --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #1: Oh my God, somebody's shooting!
MCBATH: Three of those rounds, he aimed at Jordan. Jordan didn't deserve to die that way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #2: Reports of an active shooter at a high school.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE #2: These students have now lived through so many of these shootings, since they were born almost.
UNIDENTIFIED GIRL#1: We were praying and crying. I don't know how we're alive.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE #3: An active shooter at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Multiple children have been killed.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY: Most of the bodies so mutilated that only DNA tests or green Converse could identify.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #3: Trump did nothing on guns and was proud of it.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) FORMER PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There was great pressure on me. We did nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #4: After a mass shooting in Iowa, Trump said --
TRUMP: We have to get over it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #5: You never get over it. Kamala Harris and Joe Biden refused to get over it. As District Attorney, she got illegal guns off the street. As Attorney General, she took on transnational crime rings and stopped gun trafficking. As Vice President, she helped pass the most sweeping gun violence legislation in three decades. Keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, expanding background checks, closing loopholes.
KAMALA HARRIS, (D) VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We'll finally pass Red Flag laws, Universal Background Checks, and an assault weapons ban.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #6: Kamala understands the fight we're in.
HARRIS: The power is with the people.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #7: And gives people like me, survivors like me, hope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome Georgia Representative Lucy McBath.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE) [21:25:00]
REP. LUCY MCBATH (D-GA): When I worked for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America&
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: I saw first hand, the power of telling our stories. You've just heard mine, but there are many more to tell.
ABBEY CLEMENTS, FORMER SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY TEACHER: On December 14, 2012, I walked into Sandy Hook School. I stopped at the office, chatted with my principal, then started my day with my second graders. Suddenly, a loud crash, like metal folding chairs falling, one hundred fifty four gunshots blaring.
Hiding in the coats, trying to sing with my students, trying to read to them, trying to drown out the sounds, terror, crying, running, I carry that horrific day with me. Twenty beautiful first grade children and six of my beautiful colleagues were killed. They should still be here.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING)
KIMBERLY MATA-RUBIO, DAUGHTER KILLED IN UVALDE, TEXAS SCHOOL SHOOTING: It's 10:30 AM at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, the school is recognizing my 10-year-old daughter, Lexi, for receiving all As. She receives a good citizen award, and we pose for photos.
She wears a St. Mary sweatshirt and a smile that lights up the room. Thirsty minutes later, a gunman murders her, eighteen classmates and two teachers. We are taken to a private room where police tell us she isn't coming home.
Uvalde is national news. Parents everywhere reach for their children. I reach out for the daughter I will never hold again.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MELODY MCFADDEN, GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVOR: My niece, Sandy Patrice (ph), was 22. She drove to Myrtle Beach for sun and fun, and motorcycle parades. Hours later, my phone rang, shooting on the beach. No one can find Sandy.
I stayed calm. You see my mother, Patricia Ann (ph), had been shot and killed by an abusive partner. I was calm then too. I got to handling business.
I called relatives, the police, hospitals, and I kept calling voice steady, heartbeat pulsing. Then I was connected to the coroner. Ten years of waiting and Sandy's murder is still unsolved. I'll keep calling and I'll keep fighting.
(APPLAUSE)
EDGAR VILCHEZ, GUN SAFETY ACTIVIST: I was in high school when my classmate got shot. It changed my story. Instead about worrying about taking a test, I started worrying about living to take another test. They say schools are for learning, and I did learn a lot that day. I learned how to run, how to hide and drop, that what happens in the news can happen to me.
But I learned something else too, that we can write and must write a new story if we choose to.
[21:30:00]
MCBATH: Our stories of loss, but make no mistake, our losses do not weaken us. They strengthen our resolve.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: We will secure safer futures that we all deserve.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: We will organize. We will advocate. We will run for office.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: And we will join with Americans from small towns and big cities to keep our communities safe.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: And we will elect leaders like Kamala Harris.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
MCBATH: Who won't just empathize, but will act.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(CROWD chanting Not one more!)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome former Arizona Representative Gabby Giffords.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(CROWD chanting Gabby!)
FMR. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (D-AZ): Hello, fellow Americans!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: I'm Gabby Giffords.
I was born in the great state of Arizona!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: I was born with grit. I grew up racing motorcycles, mucking stalls, and exploring the beautiful desert. I fell for an astronaut.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: For five years, I served in Congress from a swing district. Everybody called me a rising star.
Then, on January 8, 2011, a man tried to assassinate me. He shot 19 people. He killed six. Terrible, terrible day. I almost died.
But I fought for my life and I survived.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: I learned to walk again one step at a time. I learned to talk again one word at a time. So many people helped me as I worked hard to recover, including a decent man from Delaware who always checked in. And he still does.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: Thank you, Joe Biden. Thank you for everything.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: Joe is a great president. My friend Kamala will be a great president. She is tough. She has
grit.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: Kamala can beat the gun lobby. She can fight gun trafficking.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: Kamala stood up to Wall Street and the drug companies. She will protect abortion access.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: She will defend our freedom. She saved lives.
Join me in voting for Kamala Harris!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GIFFORDS: Bravo! Thank you. Woo!
[21:35:00]
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(CROWD chanting Gabby!)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #1: I had the honor of meeting Vice President Harris when I got to introduce her when she spoke at my high school about gun violence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #2: Parkland happened. All I could think about was I wanted to keep my kids safe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE #1: On July 4th, 2022 I was next in line to walk in the Highland Park Independence Day Parade when shots erupted. Seven people were shot and killed and 48 more injured.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #2: Vice President Harris has been a gun sense champion since she was our California A.G.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE #1: We have two options in November. We have Kamala Harris who has already proven her leadership in the Biden-Harris administration. They passed the first ever comprehensive gun reform in 30 years. Meanwhile Donald Trump has cozied up to the NRA and the gun lobby.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #1: I have full confidence in Vice President Harris that she's dedicated to and committed to finding a solution to end gun violence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Voice of TAPPER: Congresswoman -- former Congresswoman, Gabby Giffords, and her husband, Senator Mark Kelly. It's really remarkable, the progress she has made, since that horrible shooting, in 2011, Dana, where she was grievously injured and six others were killed.
Voice of BASH: Breathtaking. I remember, seeing her within the year after.
BASH: And interviewing here, after she was shot. And to think about that, versus what we just saw here. And to hear her say, I was a rising star?
TAPPER: Yes.
BASH: That was stolen from her.
TAPPER: Yes.
BASH: And to say I was almost killed? And to have her standing there, with her husband, who was never going to be a politician, but stepped in, and ran, and became a Senator, from his adopted home state of Arizona, because she was no longer a rising star, because it was -- because she was shot in the head.
PHILLIP: That whole segment was so incredibly moving, on gun violence, to see those mothers, the teachers, the students, who were all there. And we were covering so many of those events. I remember many of those days, like they were yesterday. It was silent in here, reverent in here, it was incredibly searing.
TAPPER: We are about to now hear from Philadelphia's pride and joy.
Voice of TAPPER: Doylestown, Pennsylvania's own Pink, who's going to be singing the song, "What About Us," from her 2017 album. Let's listen.
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome three-time Grammy-winning, singer-songwriter and global pop icon, Pink.
[21:40:00]
(PINK live performance)
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAMALA HARRIS, (D) VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Global security and global prosperity depend on the leadership of the United States of America. And a strong America remains indispensable to the world. Our democratic ideals of freedom and liberty inspire billions, and our military is the strongest in the world. Our military is a force that underwrites global stability and our national security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
Voice of COOPER: That was Pink performing with her daughter, Willow.
Audie Cornish, we hear the word, freedom, so much this week.
Voice of AUDIE CORNISH, CNN HOST, THE ASSIGNMENT WITH AUDIE CORNISH PODCAST: We do. Only we hear freedom from, rather than freedom to do something. It's this interesting turn of language where, basically you have Democrats saying that there's--
CORNISH: --a kind of encroachment on various freedoms, and saying, Look, we can be free from gun violence. We can be free from a variety of things. And it's an interesting kind of parallel, to this long- running conversation, even about abortion.
VAN JONES, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, I agree.
CORNISH: Thanks.
JONES: I mean, for me, this whole thing has been so beautiful.
And there's just too many funerals. There's too many funerals in America. There's just too much pain.
Voice of JONES: And to have it spoken to in this way, and to believe that there is somebody, who understands, because she's been there on the frontlines. Kamala Harris has gone to those funerals. She's held the hands of those victims, and she wants to do more -- she wants to do something about it.
Voice of AXELROD: The thing about these stories is they really aren't Republican stories. They're Democratic stories. Rural or urban, they cross so many lines.
Voice of JONES: Yes.
Voice of AXELROD: And we have a common humanity, and they speak to those things.
Voice of COOPER: Coming up right now is Senator Mark Kelly. Let's listen.
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(MUSIC)
SEN. MARK KELLY, (D)-AZ: Hello, Chicago.
CROWD: Hello.
KELLY: Hello, Democrats.
(CROWD chanting Arizona!)
KELLY: So, President Obama had to follow Michelle. I had to follow Gabby and Pink.
(CHEERING)
KELLY: Gabby amazes me every single day.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: She was able to walk out and address you tonight because she's a fighter.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: And thanks to a team of doctors, nurses, and especially her speech therapist.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: We all need a team. I've flown into space four times.
(CHEERING)
KELLY: I've flown into combat nearly 40 times. Not once did I do that by myself. It took a team to accomplish a mission. It always does. I flew in the Navy during the first Gulf War. America rallied our allies to kick out a tyrant who invaded a neighbor. Today, Vladimir Putin is testing whether we're still that strong. Iran, North Korea, and especially China watch closely. What's Trump's answer?
He invited Russia to do, and these are his words, not mine. "Whatever the hell they want."
(BOOING)
KELLY: Vice President Harris has always championed America's support for NATO, for Ukraine.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: And for the Ukrainian people.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: On the Senate Intelligence Committee, she investigated Russian interference in our election. She defends free and fair elections everywhere. You already know how Trump feels about those. Donald Trump skipped his intelligence briefings. He was too busy sucking up to dictators and dreaming of becoming one himself.
(BOOING)
[21:45:00]
KELLY: Trump thinks that Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice are suckers and losers.
(BOOING)
KELLY: If we fall for that again and make him the commander-in-chief, the only suckers would be us.
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: Kamala Harris knows that standing with their allies means standing up for Americans.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: She'll keep modernizing our military to support our troops and to support our veterans like our next vice president, Tim Walz.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: The world laughs at Trump literally, but folks, it is not funny.
When he was president, that meant the world was laughing at us. The threats we face are too serious. The sacrifices our service members make are too sacred. The alliances we've spent decades building are too critical.
That's what's at stake now. And the choice isn't even close. But in Arizona, and nationwide, this election will be.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: We'll win in the same way we launch rockets into space and land fighter jets on an aircraft carrier as one team on one mission.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE) KELLY: State by state, voter by voter coming together. No country, no country is better than ours at solving big problems. So on November 5th, let's prove that America is still the leader the world needs today by the electing the leader we need right now, Kamala Harris.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
KELLY: Thank you, everybody. Thank you.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
(MUSIC PLAYS)
LEON PANETTA, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY, OBAMA ADMIN, 2011-12: My fellow Americans, I'm proud to have served in the Army, the Congress, the White House chief of staff, CIA director and secretary of defense.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: I've looked into the eyes of our warriors and deployed them into battle. I gave the order directing our Special Operations Forces to fly two helicopters 150 miles into Abbottabad at night. And by the time the sun rose, Osama Bin Laden was dead.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: Because nobody attacks our country and gets away with it. Nobody.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: That's what our warriors do. That's what our warriors do.
Our warriors need a tough, cool-headed commander-in-chief.
To defend our democracy from tyrants and terrorists, we need Kamala Harris behind the Resolute Desk.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: She knows the tyrant when she sees one and our allies know a leader when they see one. On the Senate Intelligence Committee and as vice president, she worked with more than 150 world leaders. She's looked our allies in the eye and said America has your back.
[21:50:00]
Trump would abandon our allies and isolate America. We tried that in the 1930s. It was foolish and dangerous then, and it's foolish and dangerous now.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: Listen to President Reagan. President Reagan. Isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments, never.
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: 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.
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: She's worked with President Zelensky to fight back against Russia. She knows that protecting their democracy protects our democracy as well.
(APPLAUSE)
PANETTA: Look, Donald Trump does not understand the world. And he does not understand the service and sacrifice of our military. Our fallen veterans are not suckers. They are not losers. They are our heroes.
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: Kamala Harris will honor our veterans. And in Tim Walz we will have a vice president who has served in uniform honorably for 24 years.
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: Kamala Harris understands this moment. It is a moment of danger and a moment of opportunity. She'll keep America's military the strongest in the world, the strongest ever known. And she understands what our military is for. The role of our military is to defend us from foreign enemies. It is not to threaten Americans and it sure as hell isn't to put immigrants in camps.
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: Every president, every president since World War II, Republican and Democrat, has shared the belief that America must protect democracy in the world. Every president has honored our veterans and their sacrifices. Every president but one. But one.
So, we face a critical choice to vote for someone who stands with our military and stands up for democracy, or someone who will disrespect our heroes and undermine our democracy. My fellow Americans, there is only one choice. One choice.
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: And let me tell you something, when she takes her oath of office, as she will this January, --
(CHEERING)
PANETTA: -- our allies will cheer, our enemies will fear, and we will have a commander-in-chief that we can trust. God bless our veterans and God bless our country.
(CHEERING)
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(MUSIC)
REP. RUBEN GALLEGO (D-AZ): I'm a dad, husband, congressman, and the proudest Arizonan you'll ever meet, but I am even prouder to be a Marine. Ra!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
[21:55:00]
GALLEGO: My mom raised us alone on a secretary's salary. I slept on the floor. I worked every job I could. Meatpacking, construction, making pizzas. I made it to Harvard with no money or connections.
(CHEERING)
GALLEGO: Other kids were happy because they were at Harvard. I was happy because I finally had a mattress. Then, I enlisted, fought alongside my brothers with Lima 325 in Iraq. They called us Lucky Lima, but our luck ran out. We saw some of the heaviest combat of the war, and when we got home, the government failed to help us readjust. We have a duty to care for our patriots who served our nation.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: For the Vietnam veteran and Buckeye who relies on the VA for his medication, for the Afghan veteran in Pittsburgh who finally got treatment for his PTSD, for the Marine in Milwaukee who relies on the benefits she earned, for my Navajo brothers and sisters who served in the Marines with me, I remember you too.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for them. Kamala Harris has delivered more benefits to more veterans than ever before, and has achieved the lowest veterans unemployment rate in history.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: Vice President Harris has stood up for us and our families always. Tim Walz served for 24 years. His passion for veterans earned him respect on both sides of the aisle, and he stands with us too.
In fact, let me introduce you to some of the many Democrats who understand what service means, because we put country over politics.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: We were proud to wear the uniform --
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: -- and we're proud serving our countries in city halls, state capitals, the U.S. House and the Senate.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: These veterans represent the best of our country.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: We stand united as veterans, Democrats, and patriots to fight for everyone who serves.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: But politicians like Donald Trump, they don't stand with us. They call patriots like Senator McCain losers. John McCain was an American hero. Show some respect.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: Trump's Project 2025 will slash veteran benefits and force VA hospitals to close across the nation. Show some respect.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: So, for the 18-year-old who decides to enlist, for the families like mine who prayed every night that their loved one would come home, for our troops stationed thousands of miles away, for my Marines of Lima Company, let's elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz --
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: -- who don't just respect our service, but revere it --
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: -- because the veterans who defended this country aren't just the reason we can sleep at night. They're the reason we can dream.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
GALLEGO: And together, together, we'll fight for our veterans and everyone who served our country. Thank you.
(CROWD chanting USA!)
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Voice of TAPPER: We see members of Congress there, who are all United States veterans. Mikie Sherrill there, in the white, and others.
And here is the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
