In a powerful address on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for President of the United States, promising to protect women’s rights, uphold American values, and offer an inclusive agenda for all (Photo: Facebook).
The final night of the Democratic National Convention left no seat empty and turned away many as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination as President of the United States.
“On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America.”
Vice President Harris candidly shared her origin story, filling in bits and pieces that a Google search may not reveal. Despite being born into a family with two parents who were married, once her parents divorced, her mother, Shyamala Harris, had to build a village of neighbors in East Bay, California, to help raise her and her sister, Maya.
Harris’ priority to protect a woman’s choice to make her own decisions with her body didn’t start when she began her political career. She grew up watching her mother make a commitment to women’s health when she came to the United States to research breast cancer.
“She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in the fight for women’s health,” the Democratic presidential nominee said.
Despite the polarization across the country, Harris sees this election as a unique opportunity to move forward.
“Our nation, with this election, has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past, a chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”
Throughout the night, there was an overwhelming sense of American pride with individual flags and signs that read “USA”—a symbol demonstrating that Democrats love their country, too.
Harris took that notion further to welcome those from other political leanings who may assume that patriots only exist on the right. Through her promise to “put country above party and self,” she promised to “hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power.”
With an aggressive progressive agenda on one hand and an “America first” ethos on the other, Harris presents a menu that offers something to all Americans. Those agenda items include passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act,” signing a bill restoring reproductive freedom, protecting programs like Head Start, Social Security, and Medicare, common sense gun control, protecting religious freedoms and a promise to “lead the world into the future on space and artificial intelligence.”
Harris argues that as Vice President, she is not just a figurehead but that she’ll be ready on day one as the Commander-in-Chief to engage with foreign leaders, something she’s already done.
“Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade. I helped mobilize a global response—over 50 countries—to defend against Putin’s aggression. And as president, I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies.”
On Gaza and a Cease-Fire
Throughout the week, the Uncommitted Movement lobbied the Harris campaign to speak at the Convention. However those efforts proved unsuccessful without an opportunity to have their voices heard on the stage.
Notwithstanding the full support of President Biden, Harris must align with the president’s leadership.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As such, Harris articulated a controlled message that included a commitment to a hostage deal and a cease-fire. [/perfectpullquote]
Understanding the catastrophic loss for Israel and Gaza, she “will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, and never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7.” However, according to Amnesty International, Hamas’ attack was a direct response to an Israeli blockade and occupation that killed 11 Palestinians in May 2023.
Harris espouses that the Palestinians should be able to “realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
Yet, Israel approved a West Bank settlement drive in June 2024. The result was that “about 12.7 sq km (4.9 sq miles) of the Jordan Valley was declared “state property.” As of last week, the land grab has brought intense vigilante violence against Palestinians who still live in those areas, resulting in houses and cars being set on fire and a man being shot dead.
Not Like Trump
Invoking Trump’s name 14 times, Harris drew distinct contrasts between Trump’s and her presidency. She vowed to never “cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump.” Elucidating the outcomes of what another Trump presidency could look like, she reminded the American people in her address that he made an attempt to throw away votes and incited a mob attack at the U.S Capitol, which resulted in assaults on federal and local police officers on Jan. 6, 2021, where one died, and approximately 140 were injured.
Justice, a cornerstone of America’s democracy, would not be sustained under a Trump administration, according to Harris, particularly with his “explicit intent to set free violent extremists” who assaulted those law enforcement officers at the Capitol.
She assured the crowd that America’s position as a world leader would be compromised considering Trump’s threats to leave NATO during his presidency.
An Opportunity for Every American
Harris showed that the fight ahead is predicated on the “ optimism and faith” that led previous generations.
She pledged to pursue “an opportunity economy where everyone has the chance to compete and a chance to succeed.”
This is a goal that can be attained by any American, from small town to big city.
She demonstrated an understanding of the economic conditions of those Americans whose priorities come down to affordable groceries. She promised an economy that would allow the country to re-introduce itself to the world and fellow Americans and affirm what it stands for: “Freedom, opportunity, compassion, dignity, fairness and endless possibilities.”
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