DNC: Obama, Biden Praise Their Wives

July 28, 2016 11:59 AM EDT

President Obama and Vice President Biden both paid homage to their wives during their respective speeches at the Democratic National Convention. Obama and Biden credited the First and Second Lady for their success and helping to make making them better people and leaders.

Within minutes of his speech Wednesday night at the convention, Obama praised his family:

You met my two little girls, Malia and Sasha – now two amazing young women who just fill me with pride. You fell for my brilliant wife and partner Michelle, who’s made me a better father and a better man; who’s gone on to inspire our nation as First Lady; and who somehow hasn’t aged a day.

Michelle Obama has dedicated her years in the White House to promoting education for girls with her Let Girls Learn initiative, as well as fighting for healthy lunches.

Vice President Biden paid tribute to his wife, Jill Biden, in an emotional speech and said that he “married way up.”

Barack and I married way up. Way up. Folks, as I stand here tonight, I see so many friends and colleagues, like my buddy Chris Dodd and the Connecticut delegation. So many people are here. I see the faces of those who have placed their belief in Barack and me.

Biden spoke candidly about losing his son, Beau, who died on May 30, 2015 after a battle with brain cancer, but he was “made strong” by the support of his wife, Jill.

But as Ernest Hemingway once wrote, the world breaks everyone, and afterwards many are strong at the broken places. I’ve been made strong at the broken places, by my love Jill, by my heart, my son Hunter and the love of my life, my Ashley.

Obama and Biden’s exaltation of their wives paved the way for their dynamic endorsements of Hillary Clinton. President Obama received a rousing ovation when he exclaimed, “I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman, not me, not Bill, more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States of America.” Both men applauded her expertise as a mother, grandmother, and politician. Obama said:

And there is only one candidate in this race who believes in that future, and has devoted her life to it; a mother and grandmother who’d do anything to help our children thrive; a leader with real plans to break down barriers, blast through glass ceilings, and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American – the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton.

Biden continued in his speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, we all understand what it will mean for our daughters and granddaughters, when Hillary Clinton walks into the Oval Office as President of the United States of America. It will change their lives.

Obama and Biden Really, Really Love Their Wives

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