Doug Emhoff, praising Harris as a “joyful warrior,” shows his personal aspect in DNC speech
The second gentleman Doug Emhoff recalled his childhood living between New Jersey and California and told the story of how he met his wife now Vice-President Kamala Harris.
By Melissa Quinn
Doug Emhoff, the nation’s first second gentleman, introduced himself to delegates and the nation Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention, praising his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, for her dedication to their family and tying it to how she would approach leading the nation if elected president.
“Wherever it is that she’s required, or however she’s called upon, Kamala rises to the occasion. She did it to help me, my children and I.” Emhoff told the crowd. “And now, when she’s needed by the country she’s proving to us what we already are aware of: she’s geared up to take on the role of leader.”
Emhoff recalls his youth growing up within New Jersey and California, through his work in the field of entertainment law to his meeting with Harris at the end of 2013. He said Harris first contacted him at 8:30 a.m.
“I got a call from Kamala and I began to ramble”Hey this is Doug. I’m headed to an early meeting. this is Doug.’ I recall trying to get the words from the air and put them back into my mouth.” Emhoff said.
Harris has saved the message and plays it to him each birthday, Emhoff said.
The couple will mark their 10th anniversary on Thursday and Friday night. Harris will give the opening speech in order in order to receive the Democratic nomination for president.
“As I began to get to know her more and became infatuated I discovered the motivations behind Kamala. This is what you’ve seen during the last four years, and particularly these last four weeks,” Emhoff said. “She enjoys finding justice. She fights back against bullies just as the people my family taught me. She enjoys watching people succeed however she is adamant about being victimized unfairly.”
Harris praised Harris for his stance against antisemitism and other kinds of hatred.
“Her empathy is her strength,” Emhoff stated she called her”a “joyful warrior.”
“She will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and that look, with compassion and conviction,” he added. “She’ll lead from the belief that wherever we come from, whatever we look like, we’re strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just against what we fear.”
In 2020, while Harris became the first woman to be elected as a vice-president, Emhoff also made historical records of his own by becoming the first second gentleman as well as being the very first Jewish spouse of a vice president or vice president. Emhoff has been open regarding being open about his Jewish heritage and made fighting discrimination against Jews a major aspect of his agenda.
“She’s the one who encouraged me as second gentleman to take up that fight, which is so personal to me,” Emhoff stated.
Emhoff stated that he was introduced to Harris in the “important moment” in his life.
“And at this moment in our nation’s history, she is exactly the right president,” he declared.
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has also written for other publications like The Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and the Alexandria Times. Melissa writes about U.S. politics, with particular attention to federal courts, the Supreme Court and federal courts.