The Democrats officially have a candidate. How long will the honeymoon last?
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CHICAGO – Kamala Harris closed the Democratic National Convention on Thursday with a typical acceptance speech that brought the crowd of activists, politicians and celebrities at the United Center to tears. Many were disappointed when Jay-Z’s wife, Beyoncé, did not show up for the performance, even though TMZ reported she would come. Harris made little mention of her accomplishments as vice president over the past four years, but promised to forge a “new path forward” after briefly thanking President Joe Biden for his “extraordinary” leadership.
“ToLet’s write together the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story of all time,” Harris said at the end of her speech, which she gave just a month after Biden withdrew his candidacy and endorsed her. No one really knows what this “next chapter” would look like.
Harris outlined an agenda based on “freedom.” Freedom to have an abortion. Freedom to control guns. Freedom to vote, “breathe clean air” and enjoy gay rights. Building a “strong middle class” would be a “defining goal” of her presidency. (Great!) She’ll secure the border and solve our immigration problems. (No problem!) She’ll stand up to dictators. (Queen!) She even promised peace in the Middle East. (Easy!)
Harris tried to please everyone, especially with her lines on the Gaza war. She will “always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself” and “make sure Israel has the ability to defend itself” against terrorists. (Applause!) She will also help the Palestinians.”recognize their right to WouldSecurity, freedom and Self-determination.” (Even louder applause!)
Most importantly, Harris explained, she will not be Donald Trump, who would unleash “chaos and mischief” in a second term. That’s something most Democrats really like about her. Unlike Trump, she will not “lock up journalists” or “use active duty soldiers against our own citizens.” Instead, she will support good policy. And more importantly, if elected, she would make history. Echoing former President Barack Obama’s self-centered patriotism, Harris marveled that her “history could only be made in the greatest nation on earth.”
Harris’ speech capped a convention that included a diverse cast of speakers united (perhaps only) by their belief that Trump should not be president, and preferably in prison. Disagreements abounded. Bernie Sanders, a socialist, denigrated billionaires. JB Pritzker boasted about being a billionaire. Harris’ running mate Tim Walz urged Americans to “respect our neighbors” while mocking his Republican counterpart JD Vance, who overcame childhood poverty to attend an elite university. Bill Clinton received a standing ovation on Wednesday. On Thursday, an activist urged attendees to “believe” victims of sexual violence and “hold perpetrators accountable.” Dave Chappelle, the comedian widely condemned by liberal activists for promoting “transphobia,” was among the celebrities in attendance.
Now that the convention is over and Harris is officially the Democratic nominee, the race is on. How long will the honeymoon phase last? With 74 days to go, will Harris ever be forced to explain how she plans to achieve her lofty goals, or even what those goals are, without reading from a teleprompter? That remains to be seen.
The media’s apparently effusive coverage of the convention and of Harris’ entire candidacy since Biden dropped out suggests they aren’t particularly interested in pushing the issue, although there was plenty of whining about the seating arrangements for journalists at the convention. Even Ta-Nehisi Coates, often hailed as the greatest intellectual of the 21st century, was turned away. That’s because Democratic activists kept finding their way to the press seats, where they screamed, clapped and sang along during the speeches. One can only assume they were activists and not journalists, but who knows? It’s getting harder to tell these days.
And now?
