DOug Emhoff has served as Second Gentleman for four years, but when he addressed a packed United Center in Chicago on Wednesday night, he spoke as if he were introducing himself to the room and the country for the first time.
Emhoff told the story, with much joy and laughter, of how he fell in love with the vice president, how she encouraged him to become more connected to his Jewish faith, and how she helped him raise his two children.
“You know that laugh. I love that laugh,” Emhoff said, contradicting Republican memes mocking Harris’ laughter.
Here are the key moments from Emhoff’s DNC speech.
Emhoff told the story behind an embarrassing voicemail
When Emhoff first got Kamala Harris’ phone number to set up a blind date, he called her too early in the morning and left an awkward, jumbled voicemail, he said, describing at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night what brought the two together. He felt like he wanted to pluck the words he said out of thin air and put them back in his mouth. She eventually called him back, they talked, met and laughed.
On Thursday, Emhoff and Harris will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. Emhoff said Harris kept that embarrassing voicemail from their early relationship and plays it every year on their wedding anniversary. This year, he will not only hear that embarrassing voicemail, but also Harris accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president of the United States, Emhoff said.
Emhoff explained how his patchwork family came into being
Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer, said Harris came into his life as he was going through a divorce and ultimately helped him and his ex-wife raise two teenagers. He said Harris was exactly the right person for him at an important moment and that at this moment in American history, she was “exactly” the right person to be president.
“With your help, she will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and that look,” said Emhoff.
Emhoff described the Kamala Harris he knows so well and how she helped raise his children alongside his ex-wife. He said Harris helped him develop a deeper connection to his Jewish faith, describing a person who goes to synagogue with him on high holidays and takes him to church on Easter. He praised the chile rellenos she makes for Christmas and said she makes “a great brisket” for Passover.
“Kamala Harris can smell weakness”
Emhoff also spoke about his wife’s toughness and how she has always carried it within her. He described how Harris used that toughness throughout her career, including during her time as a prosecutor, where she protected women and children from abuse and brought down corrupt banks and transnational gangs.
“We all know that cowards are weak and Kamala Harris can smell weakness,” said Emhoff, describing Harris as a “joyful warrior.”
“That’s the thing about happy warriors,” Emhoff added. “They’re still warriors.”
