Presidential candidate Kamala Harris presented herself as a bridge builder, patriot and advocate for the middle class in her speech at the US Democratic Party Convention. “I promise to be a president for all Americans,” said the 59-year-old on Thursday evening (local time) in her thunderously applauded speech in Chicago in which she ceremoniously accepted her nomination. Harris also outlined parts of her program, including immigration reform and support for NATO allies and Ukraine.
The vice president accused her Republican rival Donald Trump of only pursuing selfish interests and wanting to take the country “back to the past.” In contrast, she announced that she would be “a president who unites us around our highest aspirations.” She wanted to overcome “bitterness, cynicism and the divisive conflicts of the past.”
“We are not going back!”: Harris repeated this campaign slogan several times, and the audience took it up in enthusiastic chants. She also specifically addressed the groups of independent and undecided voters who will be crucial in the election on November 5th.
Harris described herself as a pragmatic and cross-party politician – thereby countering Trump’s attempts to label her as a “radical leftist”. She will “always put the country above party” and self-interest, said the former Senator and Attorney General of California. As US President, she wants to act “realistically, practically” and with “common sense”.
The daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica would be the first woman and African-American to hold the office of US president and also the first head of state with Asian roots. In her speech, she presented herself as a patriot – for example, by praising the USA as the “greatest nation on earth.”
Harris, who had been in the shadow of the president until Joe Biden withdrew from the candidacy in July, also used the big appearance to describe her career to the nation. She spoke in detail about her middle-class background and the perseverance and courage of her Indian mother, who worked as a cancer researcher.
Harris named tax relief for the middle class, solving the housing shortage and restoring the nationwide abortion law, which the conservative-dominated Supreme Court had abolished two years ago, as key projects. She also announced a reform of the “broken immigration system”. Harris countered Trump’s accusation that she was responsible for a disastrous border policy by accusing the former president of undermining a bipartisan immigration reform for electoral reasons.
In foreign policy, Harris emphasized that she is working with Biden “around the clock” on an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and for the release of hostages kidnapped by the radical Islamist Hamas. She emphasized her commitment “to Israel’s right to self-defense,” but also called the suffering caused by the war in the Gaza Strip “heartbreaking.”
The end of the war must be achieved in a way that ensures Israel’s security and at the same time ensures that “the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” said Harris. This was not least a message to the thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who took to the streets in Chicago during the party convention.
Harris also announced that she would stand “firmly with Ukraine and our NATO allies” in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. Unlike Trump, she would not “curry favor with tyrants and dictators,” she said, referring to the former president’s good relationship with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Dictators “have their fingers crossed for Trump,” said Harris, referring to the race for the White House. They know that the Republican “is easily manipulated with flattery and favors” and “will not hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.”
Harris warned of “extremely serious” consequences if Trump returns to the White House, referring to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the criminal immunity of US presidents: “Just imagine a Donald Trump without barriers, and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States.”
Trump commented on his rival’s speech on his online network Truth Social while she was still speaking. “She complains about everything but does nothing!” wrote the 78-year-old, among other things.
Harris’ speech ended the four-day convention, which saw the wave of euphoria triggered by her candidacy reach new heights among the Democrats. The meeting was largely a party atmosphere, which was also fueled by performances by musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Lil Jon, Pink and The Chicks.
However, polls continue to point to a close race between Trump and Harris. “I think the momentum is on our side – but we need to do something with it now and effectively engage the electorate this fall,” said Harris’ campaign adviser Dan Kanninen.
