Democrats turn to the Bill and Jill show: former president Clinton backs Joe Biden tonight despite Epstein allegations and would-be First Lady follows in footsteps of Michelle Obama's call time arms at virtual Democratic convention

  • Convention's second night will combing past all-stars with rising newcomers 
  • Bill Clinton and John Kerry will speak as will Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will speak and John Legend will sing
  • Jill Biden will introduce herself to voters and give a live address from the high school where she used to teach in Wilmington
  • Her speech follows Michelle Obama's call to arms for the party
  • Democrats will also hold the formal roll call of states to nominate Joe Biden

TUESDAY'S DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION LINE UP

Mayor of Milwaukee, Wis., Tom Barrett

James Roosevelt Jr. and Lorraine Miller give the report of Credentials Committee

Barney Frank and Maria Cardona give the report of the Rules Committee

Julie Chavez Rodriguez and Dennis McDonough give the Credentials Committee report

Keynote Address by 17 rising stars in party: Stacey Abrams, Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari, Rep. Colin Allred, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Nevada State Senator Yvanna Cancela, f ormer State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, South Carolina State Senator Marlon Kimpson, Rep. Conor Lamb, Michigan State Rep. Mari Manoogian, Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave, Navajo President Jonathan Nez, Georgia State Rep. Sam Park, New Hampshire State Rep. Denny Ruprecht, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross

Former Acting AG Sally Yates

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. Ambassador, daughter of President John F. Kennedy

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy

Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter

Former President Bill Clinton

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez

Bob King, former President of the United Auto Workers

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Senator Chris Coons

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Roll Call Across America

Activist Ady Barkan

Former Secretary of State John Kerry

Dr. Jill Biden

Performance by John Legend

Advertisement

The second night of the Democratic National Convention will combine the party's past famous names with its new, rising young stars and end the evening with a performance by singer John Legend. 

Former President Bill Clinton and the party's former nominee John Kerry will share the virtual stage with new national sensation Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jill Biden, the woman who hopes to follow Michelle Obama as first lady but has the herculean task of following her convention speech, which has become a new rallying cry for Democrats in this election year.

The party will also take care of business at hand: the roll call of delegates which will lead to the formal nomination of Joe Biden as the Democrats' choice to take on President Donald Trump this fall.

Like the first night, much of the programming was pre-recorded after party switched to a fully virtual convention given the coronavirus pandemic. 

Trump, meanwhile, will spend Tuesday in Iowa, examining damage from the derecho, and in Arizona, where he will discuss border security. 

The theme of the Democrats' second night is 'Leadership Matters' and the speakers are likely to mirror the addresses of the first night with their attacks on Trump's qualifications to be president while touting Biden's credentials to be commander in chief.

Most of the speeches, like the first night, will be pretaped, and pressure will be on for one of the contenders to match the draw and energy of Michelle Obama, who unleashed on President Trump in her Monday address.

Leading Tuesday's call-to-arms will be Bill Clinton, who has spoken at every Democratic convention since 1980. He memorably made the case for his wife Hillary Clinton in 2016 and for Barack Obama in 2012 - being so effective in his arguments Obama dubbed him 'the secretary of ’splaining stuff.'

But Clinton, who had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky when he was president and has been accused of sexual misconduct by other women, will be in the convention spotlight for the first time since the #MeToo movement has gripped the country. 

Clinton, who is three years younger than Joe Biden, also has ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial on additional charges. The former president rode Epstein's private jet in 2002 but had denied having a close relationship with him and said he knew nothing about Epstein's behavior with young girls.

That baggage he carries and the party's shift toward new leadership resulted in a limited role for the former president on Tuesday: he's been allotted five minutes and his speech was pre-recorded at his home in Chappaqua, N.Y. 

But the biggest viewership of the night could be for Ocasio-Cortez, who only gets 60 seconds to speak but has captured young Democrats with her social media presence and her passion for the environment.

Jill Biden will use her convention speech to introduce herself to voters and will speak live from the high school classroom in Wilmington where she used to teach

Jill Biden will use her convention speech to introduce herself to voters and will speak live from the high school classroom in Wilmington where she used to teach

Bill Clinton has spoken at every Democratic National Convention since 1980 but this year's speech comes under the shadow of the #MeToo movement

Bill Clinton has spoken at every Democratic National Convention since 1980 but this year's speech comes under the shadow of the #MeToo movement

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of the rising Democratic stars who will speak on Tuesday night

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of the rising Democratic stars who will speak on Tuesday night

The traditional keynote address - which happens on the second night of the convention and has launched many political careers - will look different at this year's convention.

A group of 17 rising stars within the party - including former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Pennsylvania Rep. Conor Lamb and Texas Rep. Colin Allred - will give a join address meant to showcase the party's 'diversity of ideas and perspectives.' 

The traditional keynote address will be different Tuesday night with a group of 'rising stars'  within the party - including former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams - will speak

The traditional keynote address will be different Tuesday night with a group of 'rising stars'  within the party - including former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams - will speak

Also speaking in that group are Nevada state Senator Yvanna Cancela, the former political director for the powerful Las Vegas casino workers' union; Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach, California, who became the city's first openly gay mayor when he was elected in 2014; Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez; and New Hampshire state Rep. Denny Ruprecht, who became that state's youngest lawmaker when he was elected in 2018 at age 19. 

Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who ran the Justice Department for the first 10 days of the Trump administration - until the president fired her for refusing to carry out his travel ban order - will speak. She also warned the Trump administration that then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had not been truthful about his contacts with Russian officials.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who hopes his party retakes control of that chamber in November's election, will also speak.

As will Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, who co-chaired the committee that vetted running mates for Biden.

The official roll call of the states will be a mix of live and pre-taped speeches. It will be much shorter than occurs at a live convention, when states are called out one by one in the convention arena to declare who their delegates are supporting.

The roll call goes alphabetically, meaning Alabama will lead off. 

Rep. Conor Lamb is also among the 17 people giving part of Tuesday's keynote address

Rep. Conor Lamb is also among the 17 people giving part of Tuesday's keynote address

The state's delegates will speak from the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, site of the voting rights marches of 1965 and the Bloody Sunday encounter. 

Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, a Selma native, is expected to announce her delegation's votes for Joe Biden and invoke the memory of the late civil rights leader John Lewis.

A mix of lawmakers and activists will speak for their states and use their time to highlight Biden's support on a range of policy issues - including LGBTQ rights and gun safety. 

For Florida, gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg will talk about Biden's compassion in the wake of his daughter’s murder in Parkland mas shooting and his commitment to defeating the NRA. 

For Virginia, Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who criticized Trump at the 2016 Democratic convention, will lead the delegation.

For Wyoming, Judy and Dennis Shepherd will discuss Biden’s support for LGBTQ Americans in the wake of their son Matthew’s murder. 

And D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will issue a call for DC statehood during the roll call.  

Pete Buttigieg will announce Indiana's delegation for Biden while Amy Klobuchar will announce Minnesota's.

Closing out the night will be Jill Biden, followed by a musical performance from John Legend.

While her name is familiar to many, the would-be-first lady will use her time to introduce herself to voters.

The second evening will close out with a performance from John Legend

The second evening will close out with a performance from John Legend

Bill Clinton spoke for Barack Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention - being so effective in his arguments Obama dubbed him 'the secretary of ¿splaining stuff'

Bill Clinton spoke for Barack Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention - being so effective in his arguments Obama dubbed him 'the secretary of ’splaining stuff'

Bill Clinton bowed to Barack Obama after the former president spoke on Obama's behalf at the 2012 convention

Bill Clinton bowed to Barack Obama after the former president spoke on Obama's behalf at the 2012 convention

Jill Biden, seen with Joe Biden at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, will close out Tuesday night's speeches

Jill Biden, seen with Joe Biden at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, will close out Tuesday night's speeches

Jill Biden will follow in the footsteps of Michelle Obama, who attacked Donald Trump as 'the wrong president for our country' and 'clearly in over his head' in her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Monday night

Jill Biden will follow in the footsteps of Michelle Obama, who attacked Donald Trump as 'the wrong president for our country' and 'clearly in over his head' in her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Monday night

The teacher - she taught English composition at Northern Virginia Community College while serving as second lady - will speak from the high school classroom in Wilmington where she once taught. And her speech will be live. 

'Teaching is not what I do. It's who I am. I'll be giving my convention speech tonight from my former classroom. Brandywine High School. Room 232,' she tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Biden, who has two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education, said she hopes to continue teaching while being first lady.

Her speech will follow Michelle Obama's keynote address on Monday night, where the former first lady did not mince words in harsh assessment of Trump's presidency.

'Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is,' she said.

Trump shot back Tuesday morning, sarcastically thanking Obama for her 'kind words' and calling it a 'very divisive speech, extremely divisive.'

The president has shown he's not above going after spouses. In the 2016 Republican primary, he attacked Heidi Cruz, the wife of his rival for the GOP nomination Ted Cruz, for her looks. 

While he has not yet targeted Jill Biden, he has made Hunter Biden a frequent target. 

The Roll Call of States

The Democratic National Convention Committee announced the 'Roll Call Across America' that will take place on Tuesday night. 

Traditionally, states are called out one by one in the convention arena, where one delegate steps up to the microphone to announce the state's support for the nominee. 

Over the course of 30 minutes on Tuesday night, the reimagined roll call process will take convention viewers to all 57 states and territories.  

The roll call will be a mix of live and pre-recorded speeches. It will feature a mix of lawmakers and activists who will speak for their states and use their time to highlight Biden's support on a range of policy issues - including LGBTQ rights and gun safety. 

Participants include:

ALABAMA

Rep. Terri Sewell will invoke the memory of Rep. John Lewis to advocate for restoring the Voting Rights Act.

ALASKA

Veteran, fisherman, and party activist Chuck Degnan will discuss the impact of climate change on tribal waters.

AMERICAN SAMOA

Party leaders Aliitama Sotoa and Patti Matila will celebrate American Samoa’s legacy of military service—and Joe Biden’s work to improve the territory’s infrastructure.

ARIZONA

Middle school social studies teacher Marisol Garcia will discuss remote learning from the perspective of teachers, parents, and activists.

ARKANSAS

Chef Gilbert Alaquinez will describe his work delivering meals prepared at the Clinton Presidential Center to local families via food trucks.

CALIFORNIA

Sec. Hilda Solis and Rep. Barbara Lee will highlight the importance of Joe Biden’s clean energy plan for communities of color.

COLORADO

Immigrant and party activist Howard Chou and his family will discuss the challenges facing working parents during the pandemic.

CONNECTICUT

Veteran firefighter Peter Carozza will explain why he and his fellow first responders trust in Joe Biden’s courage and commitment to working Americans.

DELAWARE

Gov. John Carney and Sen. Tom Carper will share a local perspective on Delaware’s favorite son.

DEMOCRATS ABROAD

Organizer Julia Bryan will offer a call to action for Americans living abroad to get involved in this election.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Mayor Muriel Bowser will issue a call for DC statehood.

FLORIDA

Gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg will describe Joe Biden’s compassion in the wake of his daughter’s murder in Parkland and commitment to defeating the NRA.

GEORGIA

State Sen. Nikema Williams, candidate for John Lewis’s seat in Congress, will urge viewers to overcome voter suppression.

GUAM

Party chair Sarah Thomas-Nededog will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Guam citizens becoming American citizens.

HAWAII

Civil rights activist Dr. Amy Agbayani will offer a special personal message to American immigrants.

IDAHO

Mayor Lauren McLean will share her city’s bold response to climate change.

ILLINOIS

Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun will discuss the Biden plan for racial justice in housing.

INDIANA

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will describe his city’s revitalization and the Biden plan to do the same nationwide.

IOWA

Secretary Tom Vilsack will take a moment to share best wishes for Iowans suffering after last week’s storm.

KANSAS

Fourth-generation family farmer Mark Pringle will share his concern about the future of rural America and his confidence in the Biden plan for revitalizing rural communities.

KENTUCKY

Education advocate Colmon Elridge will share a personal story about Joe Biden’s commitment to improving American health care.

LOUISIANA

Rep. Cedric Richmond and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will visit a thriving independent art studio to highlight the importance of small businesses to cities.

MAINE

State Rep. Craig Hickman, the first openly gay African American to serve in the Maine House of Representatives, will take us inside his American dream.

MARYLAND

City Council President Brandon Scott and college student Bianca Shah will describe the Biden plan for racial justice in the economy.

MASSACHUSETTS

State Rep. Claire Cronin will highlight the Biden plan to help our economy recover from the pandemic.

MICHIGAN

Sen. Gary Peters and UAW auto worker Ray Curry will discuss how Joe Biden saved the Michigan auto industry and his plan to create a million new auto jobs.

MINNESOTA

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will discuss Joe Biden’s ability to bring people together before throwing it across the Mississippi River to St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.

MISSISSIPPI

College president Dr. Carmen Walters will discuss the history of the HBCU she leads and the Biden plan to invest in these important institutions.

MISSOURI

Bricklayer Reuben Gill will praise the contributions of his fellow working men and women and the Biden plan to invest in infrastructure.

MONTANA

Recent college graduate Rachel Prevost will describe her senior year of remote learning and highlights the importance of rural broadband.

NEBRASKA

Meatpacking plant employee Geraldine Waller will share a personal perspective on the dangers facing essential workers during the pandemic.

NEVADA

Backed by an array of working Nevadans, Rep. Dina Titus will describe the Biden plan for putting workers first in our economy.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Gov. John Lynch will offer his personal endorsement of Joe Biden’s leadership skills.

NEW JERSEY

Gov. Phil Murphy will mark the impact of the pandemic on his state and explains why Joe Biden is the right leader to help us recover.

NEW MEXICO

Tribal member and state Rep. Derrick Lente will celebrate his state’s diversity and commitment to preserving natural and cultural resources.

NEW YORK

Registered nurse and a member of 1199SEIU Scheena Iyande Tannis will offer a raw personal perspective on the dangers facing health care workers.

NORTH CAROLINA

Longtime Democratic activist Cozzie Watkins will offer a call to action for Black women.

NORTH DAKOTA 

Tribal citizen and advocate Cesar Alvarez will discuss his unique path to college and Joe Biden's plan to open up educational opportunity. 

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Party chair Nola Kileleman Hix will describe her organizing efforts as the young leader of the party in the NMI.

OHIO

Rep. Tim Ryan and IBEW organizer Josh Abernathy will describe Donald Trump’s broken promises to Ohio workers and the Biden plan to invest in America.

OKLAHOMA

Party chair Alicia Andrews will reflect on the lessons of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

OREGON

Activist Dr. Rosa Colquitt and registered nurse Travis Nelson will discuss racial disparities in health care.

PENNSYLVANIA

Sen. Bob Casey, a fellow Scranton native, will talk about how Joe Biden’s childhood in Scranton formed his commitment to working families.

PUERTO RICO

Sen. Carmelo Rios-Santiago, will highlight Donald Trump’s abandonment of Americans in Puerto Rico.

RHODE ISLAND

State Rep. Joseph McNamara will discuss the impact of the pandemic on his state’s restaurants and fisherman and shows off the mouth-watering flavors of Rhode Island seafood.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Senate candidate Jaime Harrison will speak from the alma mater of Rep. Jim Clyburn and his late wife Emily.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Tribal activist Kellen Returns From Scout will issue a plea for forward-looking leadership.

TENNESSEE

On the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, college student Keely Sage will visit the headquarters of the suffragists to discuss her own first vote for President and the role of women in this election.

TEXAS

Rep. Veronica Escobar will reflect on the lessons of the August 2019 massacre in El Paso.

UTAH

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson will debunk misinformation about mail-in voting.

VERMONT

Gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, joined by Jane and Bernie Sanders and other Vermont activists, will speak out for justice.

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Chair Cecil Benjamin will lead a colorful tribute to Joe Biden’s leadership.

VIRGINIA

Activist Khizr Khan will reflect on the racial violence that claimed a life in his beloved home city of Charlottesville.

WASHINGTON

State Rep. My-Linh Thai, a former refugee, will share her commitment to the public schools that gave her a chance to contribute to her new home.

WEST VIRGINIA

Veteran educator and union organizer Fred Albert will discuss how teachers and parents can work together to create change.

WISCONSIN

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes will share his personal story and a call to action for a brighter future.

WYOMING

Activists Judy and Dennis Shepherd will discuss Joe Biden’s leadership to stop hate crimes against LGBTQ Americans in the wake of their son Matthew’s murder.