Harris speaks of ‘next great chapter’ in accepting party’s nomination for president
CHICAGO — In the final moments of the final night of the Democratic National Convention here, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for president after a week filled with entertainment, political stars and passionate pleas for the future of the United States.
Harris began the historic night by wishing her husband, Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff a “Happy birthday, Dougie.”
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The theme of the final night — “For Our Future” — was planned to showcase how Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, aimed to “lead America into a brighter, more hopeful era,” organizers said ahead of the night.
The Chicks performed the National Anthem. Pink performed her track, ‘What About Us?’ with her 13-year-old daughter.
‘Kamala Harris: For the People’
Harris spoke of being raised in the Bay Area by her single mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. Harris explained that her mother’s family helped raise them up through “community, faith and the importance of treating others how you would want to be treated.”
This further underlined a story Harris has previously told, about her childhood friend Wanda, whom she learned was being sexually abused by her father. As Harris recalls it, Wanda’s injustice was what inspired her to pursue law.
Harris explained that from the beginning of her career, she took a vow: “Kamala Harris: For the People,” and that she still considers only “the people” her boss.
“On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American…. on behalf of my mother, on behalf of anyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth: I accept your nomination to be President of the United States of America.”
Harris vowed to be a president for all Americans, regardless of their political party.
‘An unserious man’
Harris followed up the rousing acceptance by turning to her opponent, former Pres. Donald Trump, whom she dubbed “an unserious man” whose actions have and will have serious consequences on every American life.
Harris argued that Trump only cares about himself and helping enrich his and their pockets. Additionally she underlined Trump’s admiration and warm relationship with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin, in addition to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
“I will not cozy up to dictators like Kim Jong-un who are rooting for Trump,” said Harris. “They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.”
Fire and warmth
Early speakers in the evening included equality advocate Rev. Al Sharpton, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa), and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich). At the top of the night’s second hour, Sharpton introduced some of the “Central Park Five,” a group of Black and Latino men who were wrongly imprisoned as teenagers for a 1989 crime they didn’t commit.
“45 wanted us ‘unalived,’” said New York City Council member Dr. Yusef Salaam, representing the Five, pointing to former Pres. Donald Trump’s role in pushing for the group’s punishment, despite lack of evidence.
“Scandal” actor Kerry Washington later took the stage to promote individual responsibility through the election cycle. “You are the Olivia Popes!” she pronounced, referencing her iconic character from the hit ABC show. Washington urged people to, like Pope, take charge of their own power for change and to make sure their families and friends understand what’s at stake.
A moment of warmth and levity came when Meena Harris, the vice president’s niece, and Ella Emhoff, the vice president’s stepdaughter took the stage with Helena Hudlin, whose mother introduced Doug Emhoff and Harris. The three joked about Harris detractors who act as if they don’t understand how to pronounce Harris’ first name.
‘Defend truth, democracy and decency’
Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, spoke Thursday night, with strong words for his party and its head.
“Donald Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong. He’s a small man pretending to be big. A faithless man pretending to be righteous. A perpetrator who can’t stop playing the victim,” said Kinzinger. “He puts on quite a show. But there’s no real strength there.”
Kinzinger touted Harris’ record, toughness and kindness in his support for the VP. He urged fellow Republicans to understand that Harris is the “right choice,” and a way to walk the walk of “putting country first.” The former representative joked about his inclusion (and welcome) from the Democrats, saying that despite its “sometimes awkward” vibe, he’s proud to “defend truth, democracy and decency” along with the Democratic Party.
Kinzinger’s final plea: “Vote for Kamala Harris!”
Former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan spoke about working with Harris when the vice president was attorney general of California. Madigan touted Harris’ work during the Great Recession to protect homeowners from foreclosure.
“For as long as I have known her, Kamala Harris has always taken principled positions and never wavered. Thanks to Kamala’s determination, countless Americans have a home they can call their own,” Madigan said.
‘The next great chapter’
Through her acceptance speech, Harris underlined movement forward, not backward.
In her words of the night, Harris said: “Let’s get out there and let’s fight for it. Let’s get out there and let’s vote for it. And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Thank you. God bless you. May God bless the United States of America.”
Thousands who could not attend the event at the United Center attended a watch party at Soldier Field.
Ahead of the night’s program, some delegates expressed anger and disappointment over what they said were missing voices on the DNC stage. The pro-Palestinian “uncommitted” delegates previously said they would put their full support behind the Harris ticket if they could speak during the convention.
The group said the vice president’s campaign and convention organizers said they could not.
Night four of the DNC gave Pro-Palestinian protestors a final opportunity to share their message for a global audience. Thousands of demonstrators brought their call for an end to the United States’ aid to Israel within view of the United Center arena.
The demonstration was the final march that was scheduled in a week that saw protests. Dozens were arrested as protesters clashed with Chicago police Tuesday night in the West Loop. Additional fencing was added on Tuesday as well after a handful or protesters dismantled the barriers during a march Monday night. City officials said 13 people were arrested in that incident.
On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted his party’s nomination for vice president, calling it “the honor of my life.”
The Nexstar Media Wire and Associated Press contributed.
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