Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination at DNC in rousing closing speech addressing 'split' family – The Mirror US
Kamala Harris has become the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to accept a major party’s presidential nomination as she closed up the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night
Vice President Kamala Harris closed out the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night by formerly accepting her party's presidential nomination.
It was a historic moment that came after a whirlwind month for Harris – which began when President Joe Biden shockingly announced he'd be stepping out of the presidential race and endorsed Harris to replace him atop the Democratic ticket. Harris' speech had three objectives, according to a campaign official.
The vice president planned to share her background rising from a middle-class family to a prosecutor protecting others, contrast her “optimistic” vision with Trump’s “dark” agenda and evoke a sense of patriotism. Harris was greeted by an ovation that spanned nearly 3 minutes before she was able to begin her speech. “OK, let’s get to business,” Harris said after thunderous cheers drowned out her attempts to get started.
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“And happy anniversary, Dougie,” she said, marking their 10th wedding anniversary. Harris had already spoken briefly during the first day of the convention on Monday. She thanked Biden and praised his record as president. Harris issued warnings about how Trump’s prior willingness to violate the law indicates a willingness for a reckless second term if he’s elected to the White House again.
The former prosecutor listed off Trump’s conviction in the New York fraud case, as well as the judgment against him in the E. Jean Carroll case.
“Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States, not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security but to serve the only client that he has ever had: himself,” Harris warned.
The prosecutor in Harris surfaced during the speech when, in referring to Trump, she referred several times to “his explicit intent.” The loudest applause came after Harris made a plea to all across the aisle, saying that she pledges to uphold the rule of law.
“I promise to be a president for all Americans, to hold sacred America’s constitutional principles, fundamental principles, from the rule of law and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power,” she said.
Harris drew a direct line between her current values and politics with her upbringing in a civil rights-oriented household. Harris noted that her parents met amid the civil rights movement and raised her with values of social justice.
“My mother was a five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent,” Harris said. “And as the eldest child … I saw how the world would sometimes treat her, but my mother never lost her cool,” Harris said.
“She taught us to never complain about injustice but to do something about it,” Harris said to cheers. “And she also told us to never do something ‘half-assed.’ And that is a direct quote,” Harris said.
Harris might be a well-known figure as vice president, but, on the biggest stage of her presidential campaign thus far, she’s still taking the opportunity to get into some biography.
After a speech by her sister, Maya, who made repeated references to their mother’s accomplishments, Harris — who doesn’t frequently mention her father — spoke about both of her parents, then her upbringing, primarily at the hands of her mother.
In an emotional tribute to her mother and father, Harris talked about the lessons she learned from both her parents who divorced when she was young. “My mother would stay, stay close,” she said. “But my father would say as he smiled, ‘Run Kamala! Run! Don’t be afraid. Don’t let anything stop you.’”
On the second day of the convention she held a rally in Milwaukee but was streamed into the convention hall after Democrats reaffirmed their nomination of her with a state-by-state roll call.
Harris is the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to accept a major party's presidential nomination. Her closing speech came a day after running mate Tim Walz thanked a packed Chicago arena for "bringing the joy" to the election.
“We’re all here tonight for one beautiful, simple, reason: We love this country,” Walz said. Walz's speech marked an opportunity for him to introduce himself to many American's who had never heard of him until he was selected as Harris' VP pick.
Gus Walz, the governor’s 17-year-old son, openly wept throughout the speech, wiping his eyes with tissues while watching from the front row of the convention hall directly in front of the governor.
