Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, delivering a speech that was a calculated mix of sentiment and substance, attempting to balance criticism of the former president Donald Trump by presenting their vision for the future of the country.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an untrustworthy man. But the consequences of Donald Trump returning to the White House are extremely serious,” Harris said in one of many comments directed against the former president.
While she did not hold back on criticism of Trump – a trend that was evident among speakers throughout the convention – Harris also sought to reassure voters that she would work to end the division that has plagued the country’s politics for years.
“I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always count on me to put the country above my party and my own interests,” Harris said.
Harris’ highly anticipated speech came at the end of a week filled with appearances by party bigwigs such as former President Barack Obama as well as celebrities such as Oprah WinfreyThere was a LOT of star power at the convention – and even a rumor that Beyonce would appear on Thursday, which turned out to be false.
The Congress began less than a month after the President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Although Harris has gained significant momentum since then, she has faced the difficult task of proving that her campaign is serious and not a desperate last-minute attempt by Democrats to defeat Trump.
In her speech, Harris touched on issues such as border security and abortion, health care and the war in Gaza — an issue that sparked protests in Chicago throughout the week, including Thursday night. Although the city had prepared for massive demonstrations that could disrupt the convention, the protests never reached a level that would have noticeably disrupted the week’s proceedings. Still, Harris addressed the issue directly in her speech — and attempted to address at least some of the concerns of the protesters on the streets.
“President Biden and I are working to end this war so that Israel is safe, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said, drawing huge applause at the United Center in Chicago.
She concluded her speech with a joint appeal to Americans to “write the next great chapter of the most extraordinary history of all time,” saying that it is now “up to us to do what the generations before us have done.”
“Guided by optimism and faith, we fight for this country we love, fight for the ideals we hold dear, and embrace the tremendous responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege in the world – the privilege and pride of being American.”
“So let’s go out and fight for it. Let’s go out and vote for it,” Harris added.
The convention was probably “quite successful” for Democrats overall, and they were able to appeal to three key groups, including union members, black voters and Republican-leaning independents who don’t like Trump, said Jon Lieber, U.S. managing director of the Eurasia Group. The effort went down well in the party hall, Lieber added, but what really matters is how “it plays out on TV and social media.”
We will be watching to see whether their messages resonate with voters, especially among undecided voters and in key swing states.
