CHICAGO — Vice President Kamala Harris capped the star-studded Democratic National Convention on Thursday with a promise to unite Americans and usher in a “new way forward” – but offered little insight into her policy agenda to achieve that goal.
Instead, 59-year-old Harris officially accepted her party’s presidential nomination. In her speech, she particularly emphasized her “middle-class” background and portrayed former President Donald Trump as an “unserious man” whose election would have “extremely serious” consequences for American democracy.
In her nearly 40-minute speech, Harris spoke extensively about her childhood and her “unexpected” path to the White House.
“America, the path that has brought me here in recent weeks was undoubtedly unexpected. But unusual journeys are no stranger to me,” she said.
“My mother, Shyamala Harris, had one herself. I miss her every day – especially now. And I know she’s looking down tonight and smiling,” she continued.
“My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone. She traveled from India to California with the unwavering dream of becoming the scientist who would cure breast cancer.”
The former Attorney General of California emphasized that she grew up in a working-class neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“It was my mother who raised us, mostly. Before she could finally afford a house, she rented a small apartment in the East Bay. In the Bay, you either live in the mountains or the flatlands. We lived in the apartments – a beautiful working-class neighborhood with firefighters, nurses and construction workers who all took pride in maintaining their lawns,” she said.
When it finally came to policy, Harris – who accepted the nomination without ever giving a significant media interview – provided few details.
“I will bring together unions, workers, small business owners, entrepreneurs and American companies to create jobs, grow our economy and lower the costs of everyday needs like health care, housing and food,” she promised.
“We will provide small business owners, entrepreneurs and founders with access to capital and protect Social Security and Medicare,” she added.
She later promised to push through a middle-class tax cut “that will benefit more than 100 million Americans,” secure access to abortion, and sign a comprehensive border security bill that was rejected by the Republican majority over the summer.
Harris’s nomination to replace 81-year-old President Biden on the 2024 ballot just over a month ago has given Democrats new momentum, despite heated political debate – and the lack of a policy page on their campaign website.
The “energy” of the Kamala Coconut vibes was mentioned by many speakers and attendees throughout the DNC and was felt on the closing night at the Convention Center during an all-night dance party with numerous celebrity appearances, including a performance by pop sensation P!nk and a speech by “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria.
Attendees also cheered videos of Harris dancing, laughing and spreading “joy.” Delegates roared loudly when several speakers made the incorrect, crude “couch” reference to Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
However, the mood changed when the participants, who had expected a guest of honor to introduce their presidential candidate, realized that no one was there.
Rumors that Beyoncé would perform reached their peak Thursday night after TMZ reported that the superstar would stop by.
The crowd waited for the megastar until the last moment – only to find out that there was no surprise musical appearance.
However, NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Stephen Curry made an unexpected video appearance and said Harris would bring back “unity.”
“Kamala, as president, can restore that unity,” said Curry, who led the U.S. men’s basketball team to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
“To use Michelle Obama’s words: Do something! Go vote!”
In her speech, Harris called Trump selfish and accused him of having “no guardrails” in the White House.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an untrustworthy man. But the consequences of bringing Donald Trump back to the White House are extremely serious,” she said sternly.
“Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes. When he failed, he sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers,” she claimed.
Trump, meanwhile, posted live on Truth Social during her speech, stressing that Harris wanted “only words, not actions” and that although she was in office, she had accomplished nothing she stood for.
At the Billy Goat Tavern and Grill, a few blocks from the DNC convention, 61-year-old retired police officer Peter Garcia was also unimpressed with Harris – he was watching the Bears-Chiefs game instead of watching her speech, which was shown on several screens.
“She is afraid. She needs to be trained and prepared before she can say anything. That is because she has no thoughts of her own,” he said of her refusal to give an interview.
“What is she afraid of? If you believe in your cause, you should be prepared to answer questions,” he added. “What would I tell her? Give up.”
Harris claims she will give an interview by “the end of the month,” her campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said Thursday morning, adding that the campaign will “build on” Biden’s administration – without mentioning any new details in the interview with the Washington Post.
The final day of the DNC also featured speeches from Reverend Al Sharpton, four members of the Central Park Five, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer criticized Trump for his upbringing in wealth.
“Do you think he understands that you can’t come to work if your car breaks down? No, his first word was probably chauffeur,” she joked.
“Do you think he’s ever had to take items out of his cart before paying? Hell, do you think he’s ever been to a grocery store?”
Warren, who ran against Harris in the 2020 presidential election, was in tears as she took the stage, waxing lyrical and telling Harris how much she trusted the vice president more than the former president.
“This election is about your family and your future. I’ve seen Kamala Harris fight, I’ve seen her win. And when it comes to our families and our future, Kamala Harris is someone we can trust. So, here it is, with joy in our hearts, we elect Kamala Harris, the next president of the United States,” Warren said.
In her speech, Harris spoke about her decision to become a prosecutor, explaining that she chose the profession after learning that her best friend was sexually abused in high school.
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to leave behind the bitterness, cynicism and divisive struggles of the past. A chance to forge a new path forward,” she said.
“I will be a president who unites us around our highest goals. A president who leads – and listens. Who is realistic. Practical. And has common sense. And always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work,” she added of her vision.
With additional reporting by Steven Vago
