United States Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday, August 22, to run against former President Donald Trump in the 2024 general election.
With her acceptance, Harris became the first woman of color to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
“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,” Harris said in her speech at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago.
She outlined her plans to “forge a new path forward” and be a “president for all Americans.”
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to put the bitterness, cynicism and divisive struggles of the past behind us and forge a new path forward – not as members of a party or faction, but as Americans,” Harris said.
She campaigned outside her political party to support her campaign against Trump.
“I know there are people watching tonight with different political views. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans,” she said.
Harris – the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants – would make history if elected: as the first woman, first black woman and first Asian-American woman to hold the office of president.
Harris is nominated as the Democratic candidate a month after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal and supports her as his successor.
Harris began her crucial address with a report on her family background and motivation to become a prosecutor before being elected Attorney General, Senator and Vice President of California (since 2020).
“In my entire career, I have had only one client: the people,” she said, contrasting her opponent, whose interests “were directed at the only client he ever had: himself.”
Trump responded to Harris’ speech during an interview with Fox News by asking, “Why didn’t she do the things she complained about?”
“There was a lot of whining. She didn’t talk about China. She didn’t talk about fracking. She didn’t talk about crime,” Trump said, adding, “Other than that, it was a nice room.”
As a presidential candidate, Harris outlined her stance on national security: she advocated strengthening U.S. alliances, continuing to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, ending Israel’s war against Hamas, and stabilizing the Middle East.
“I will never waver in defending America’s security and ideals, because in the ongoing struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs,” she said.
Dozens of Filipino Americans from across the country, who formed the organization Filipino Americans for Harris-Walz (FAFHW), participated in the week-long DNC.
“FAFHW remains committed to mobilizing the Filipino-American community and ensuring that their voices play a critical role in electing Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States and Tim Walz as Vice President,” the group said in a statement.
