New Delhi:

Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama, 60, turned back the clock at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, delivering an impassioned speech supporting “my friend” Kamala Harris for the November presidential election and warning Donald Trump that “hope is returning.”

Mrs. Obama’s speeches helped her husband, Barack Obama, win two consecutive terms in office. Obama himself was widely touted as a potential presidential candidate, especially earlier this year when Democrats were still struggling to find a single candidate to replace Joe Biden. And last night in Chicago, she brought all that charisma to bear, and her popularity was underscored by an even bigger reception than that given to Mr. Obama in his hometown.

Among the highlights of Mrs Obama’s speech was her reference to Kamala Harris’ background, highlighting her multi-racial heritage as “the embodiment of the stories that we talk about in this country.” “Her story is your story. It’s my story,” she said in response to jibes from Donald Trump.

Michelle condemns Trump’s “misogynistic lies”

The Trump campaign has sought to weaponize Ms. Harris’s ethnic identity. This tactic is perhaps best exemplified by Trump’s jab at Ms. Harris to a black reporter last month: “I didn’t know she was black … until she accidentally ‘got black,’ and now she wants to be known as ‘black.'”

Michelle Obama’s counterattacks last night were brief but powerful, and included a sarcastic dig at the twice-impeached former president for running for “one of those black jobs.”

“We know that people will do anything to distort their truth.”

“For years, Trump has done everything he can to make people afraid of us (meaning Obama and herself). His narrow view of the world led him to feel threatened by two very successful and educated people who happened to be black… who is going to tell him that the job he is looking for is now one of those ‘black jobs’?” she said, accusing Trump of “ugly, misogynistic (and) racist lies.”

READ | “Who does he think he is?” Biden attacks Trump in fiery speech

Turning to Ms Harris, Michelle Obama said: “Her backbone is steel, her upbringing is solid, her laugh is joyful and bright… Kamala knows that everyone deserves a decent life, no matter where they come from, who they worship or what they look like.”

“No one has a monopoly on what it means to be American.”

“America, hope is returning,” she said.

“Kamala has proven her loyalty”

Mrs. Obama also drew similarities between herself and the Vice President.

“Kamala Harris and I built our lives on the same values. Our mothers shared the same belief in the promise of this country. That’s why her mother moved here from India… that’s why she taught Kamala justice. She told her daughter, ‘Don’t sit around and complain, do something.'”

“So Kamala went out and fought hard for the people, for better wages and cheaper medicine. Kamala came from a middle-class home and worked her way up to be vice president. My friend, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment,” she said.

In the face of attacks from the Trump campaign, Obama underlined Ms Harris’s credibility, saying that she “has shown her loyalty … not by spewing anger, but by living a life of service to others.”

NDTV Opinion | Indian Americans cheer for Kamala Harris. Can she win their votes?

“Let’s not forget what we’re up against… Kamala and Tim (Walz, Minnesota governor and Harris’s vice presidential nominee) are making good progress now, but remember… there are still so many people ready to criticize Kamala’s every move…” Mrs. Obama said. “We must do everything in our power to elect these two big-hearted, good people. There is no other choice but Kamala and Tim.”

“Still just a human being”

Mrs. Obama also sought to give the Harris campaign a longer break and a shield against future attacks from Donald Trump by warning Democratic delegates, supporters and voters that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz “are still just human beings… they’re not perfect… they’re going to make mistakes.”

“It is up to us to be a light against the darkness and division. I don’t care what your political affiliation is… now is the time to stand up for basic freedoms and humanity. This is going to be an uphill battle and we must not be our own worst enemies,” Mrs. Obama said to deafening cheers.

“Yes, She Can,” Barack’s battle cry

Meanwhile, Barack Obama adapted the “Yes, We Can” rallying cry from his 2008 campaign and delivered another rousing endorsement speech for Kamala Harris. Obama officially endorsed Ms. Harris as the Democratic nominee last month, telling her, “This is going to be historic.”

READ | “He’s afraid of losing to Kamala”: Barack Obama tears Trump apart

On Tuesday, the former president launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, calling him a “78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down in his golden elevator nine years ago” and accusing him of divisive politics.

“Trump wants us to believe that this country is divided between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Between ‘real’ Americans who support him and the ‘outsiders.’ It’s the oldest trick in politics. His performance is stale. We don’t need four more years of chaos because we’ve seen this movie before and we know that the sequel is usually even worse,” he said.

On November 5, the United States will host what may be the largest presidential election in recent history, which will be followed with great attention around the world.

With input from agencies

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