Kamala Harris is officially the Democratic presidential candidate. The Vice President of the USA who had received the informal anointing from Joe Biden, when the 81-year-old American president announced that he was withdrawing from the race, closed the Democratic convention in Chicago with her speech.
The first black woman to be nominated by a major party, she quickly united Democrats, erased Trump's lead in the polls and raised staggering sums. Delegates clapped and cheered hours before her speech, while special musical guests including pop star Pink and country band The Chicks set a happy note at the Democratic Convention ahead of her speech.
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She began her speech by thanking her husband Douglas Emhoff and wishing him a happy 10th wedding anniversary. She then thanked both President Joe Biden and her running mate Tim Waltz, saying he would make an "incredible vice president."
"On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, sex, or language. On behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever embarked on their own incredible journey. On behalf of Americans, like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams, and look out for each other. On behalf of all whose history could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth. I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America,” he said as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Harris talked about her mother, how her best friend confided in her about being sexually assaulted and what a second term for Donald Trump would be like. He also spoke about the importance of the middle class to America and his goal to be a president who unites people.
"With this election, our nation has a precious opportunity to overcome the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past," Harris said. “An opportunity to chart a new path forward. Not as members of a party or faction, but as Americans."
The 59-year-old vice president focused on her personal story.
On her mother and her childhood: “America, the path that has led me here these past few weeks has undoubtedly been unexpected. But I'm no stranger to incredible travel.
“My mother Shyamala Harris had one of her own. I miss him every day — especially now. And I know he's looking down tonight and smiling. My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unwavering dream of becoming the scientist who would cure breast cancer.
"... It was mainly my mother who raised us. Before he could finally afford to buy a house, he rented a small apartment in the East Bay. In the Bay, you either live in the hills or the lowlands. We lived in the flats — a beautiful working-class neighborhood of firefighters, nurses and construction workers, all of whom tended their lawns with pride."
On why she became a prosecutor: “When I was in high school, I started noticing something about my best friend Wanda. She was sad at school. And there were times when he didn't want to go home. So one day, I asked if everything was okay. And she confided in me that she was sexually abused by her stepfather. And I immediately told her that she should come and stay with us. And he did. That's one of the reasons I became a prosecutor. To protect people like Wanda.”
An opportunity to chart a new path forward
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to overcome the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. An opportunity to chart a new path forward. Not as members of some party or faction, but as Americans.
I know there are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be president for all Americans. …
I will be a president who will unite us around our highest aspirations. A president who leads — and listens. Which is realistic. Practical. And it makes common sense. And he always fights for the American people. From the court to the White House, this has been my life's work."
On Project 2025 and Trump: “We know what a second Trump term would look like. Everything is described in "Project 2025". … In many ways, Donald Trump is a non-serious man, but the implications of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious … Think of the power that will have—especially since the United States Supreme Court just ruled that he would have immunity from the criminal prosecution".
“Think what he plans to do if we give him power again. Consider his express intent to free violent extremists who attacked these law enforcement officers on Capitol Hill. His express intention to imprison journalists, political opponents and anyone he considers an enemy. His express intent to deploy our active military against our citizens."
“Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes. When that failed, he sent an armed mob into the United States Capitol where they attacked law enforcement officers. When politicians from his own party begged him to withdraw the mob and send help, he did the opposite. He lit the flames," he said.
Harris also pointed out that Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in a hush-hush case and that a federal jury in his defamation trial found that the former president had sexually assaulted author E. Gene Carroll.
"He was found guilty of fraud by a jury of everyday Americans and separately found responsible for committing sexual assault."
"The goal of Project 2025 and Trump is to 'take our country back to the past. But America, we will not go back," he stressed.
On the importance of the middle class: “We know that a strong middle class has always been critical to America's success. And building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency. This is personal to me. Middle class is where I come from.
“Fellow Americans, I love our country with all my heart. Wherever I go - whoever I meet - I see a nation ready to move forward. Ready for the next step, in the incredible journey that is America.
“I see an America where we hold fast to the fearless faith that built our nation. This inspired the world. That here, in this country, anything is possible. Nothing is out of reach.”
He also promised to end homelessness in the country and protect Social Security and Medicare.
Her plans, he said, differed from Donald Trump's and accused the former president of fighting "for himself and his billionaire friends."
The US vice president pledged to support Israel's right to defend itself - but added that the bloodshed in Gaza was "catastrophic" and "heartbreaking".
"President Biden and I are working to end this war so that Israel is safe, the hostages are freed, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security and freedom".
Kamala Harris closed her speech by criticizing Trump for the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn its 49-year-old jurisprudence (Roe v. Wade) on the constitutional right to abortion, allowing states to ban abortions.
“I believe that America cannot be truly prosperous unless Americans are fully able to make their own decisions about their own lives. Especially in matters of the heart and home. But tonight, in America, too many women are unable to make those decisions. And let's clear up how we got here. Donald Trump has chosen members of the United States Supreme Court to take away reproductive freedom. And now he flaunts it. I have traveled all over the country and heard stories of doctors who fear going to jail for caring for their patients. Couples just trying to raise their families, cut off in the middle of IVF treatment. Child survivors of sexual assault may be forced to terminate their pregnancy. This is happening in our country because of Donald Trump. And understand, it's not over. As part of his agenda, he and his allies would restrict access to birth control, despite medication abortions, and enact a national abortion ban with or without Congress."
Source: protothema.gr