The American Democratic Party concluded its national convention in Chicago on Thursday evening with Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination for the presidential election scheduled for November 5. In her speech, she presented her vision and priorities, asserting that she is in the best position to unite the nation against her Republican rival, Donald Trump.
In front of a large audience, Harris (59 years old) expressed happiness, optimism, and patriotism as foundational values of her campaign, aiming to secure the support of as many American voters as possible, as she seeks to become the first Black woman to reach the White House.
Harris’s speech came as a culmination of a month since she entered the presidential race after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, who had been sidelined by senior figures in the Democratic Party after his disastrous performance in a presidential debate.
The Democratic candidate, who has not yet conducted any interviews or held any press conferences, used her acceptance speech—a historic moment in American political life—to address all Americans directly.
After sharing her personal story as a daughter of middle-class immigrants who achieved the American Dream, Harris outlined what she deemed the new path forward in confronting her opponent, promising a program that provides economic opportunities and protects fundamental freedoms.
As in the previous four days, attendees listened to speeches from several high-profile speakers, including Senator and former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, civil rights leader Al Sharpton, American basketball star Stephen Curry, and attorneys who have worked alongside Kamala Harris, all highlighting various aspects of the Vice President’s life, career, and achievements.
The Democratic Party presented the convention as a historic moment symbolizing unity and renewable dynamics for the Democratic campaign, with the torch being passed from Biden to Harris.
Throughout the four days of the convention, prominent party figures and a variety of celebrities took to the stage of the massive United Center in Chicago to present a united front around Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in facing the Republican ticket led by Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.
President Biden, who received a warm welcome in what felt like a farewell address, described Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, while former President and undisputed party star Barack Obama, in a fiery speech, called him a billionaire who only cares about himself, promoting division and hatred to advance his career.
Outside the convention center, however, unity was less apparent amid divisions, as protesters demonstrated against the war in Gaza.
Kamala Harris first ran for the presidency in 2019 but quickly suspended her campaign before being chosen by Biden to be Vice President.
Only three years ago, Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump after a campaign that she and her supporters viewed as marked by misogyny and sexual discrimination.
In Chicago, it seems that Democratic politicians and activists are confident that Harris’s identity as a Black woman is a significant advantage. With less than three months remaining until the election, the race remains close, and the outcome is still uncertain.
