Vice President Kamala Harris made history as she formally accepted her party's presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night. The momentous occasion followed a whirlwind month for Harris, which kicked off with President Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race and his subsequent endorsement of Harris as the Democratic frontrunner. According to a campaign insider, Harris' address aimed to achieve three key goals: to recount her journey from a middle-class upbringing to becoming a prosecutor who defends others, to draw a stark contrast between her "optimistic" outlook and Trump's "dark" vision, and to stir up a sense of national pride.
Former President Bill Clinton, aged 78 and speaking in a hoarse voice, boldly criticised Trump during his appearance. Harris was met with an overwhelming ovation that lasted close to three minutes, delaying the start of her speech. Once the applause subsided, she declared: "OK, let's get to business," READ MORE: Donald Trump hits back at claims late Queen found him 'very rude' with bizarre 7-word brag She also took a moment to celebrate a personal milestone, saying: "And happy anniversary, Dougie," in recognition of her and her husband's 10th wedding anniversary.
Earlier in the week, Harris had briefly addressed the convention on Monday, where she expressed gratitude towards Biden and commended his presidential achievements. She also cautioned against Trump's past legal transgressions, suggesting they foreshadow a dangerously unrestrained second term should he be re-elected. The ex-prosecutor didn't shy away from voicing Trump's convictions, reciting the New York fraud case and E.
Jean Carroll judgement against him. "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 cautioned. Her prosecutorial nature was apparent during her speech as she repeatedly referred to "his explicit intent," when speaking about Trump.
The largest applause followed her appeal to all, pledging 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 asserted. Drawing on her past, Harris attributed her current political views to being raised in a household high on social justice values.
Her parents, who met amidst the civil rights movement, taught her to value social justice. "My mother was a five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent," Harris shared. "And as the eldest child .
.. I saw how the world would sometimes treat her, but my mother never lost her cool," she added.
Harris paid tribute to her mother, stating amid rapturous applause, "She taught us to never complain about injustice but to do something about it," and playfully added: "And she also told us to never do something 'half-assed.' And that is a direct quote." On the second day of the convention, although Harris held a rally in Milwaukee, her appearance at the convention hall was streamed live after formal confirmation of her nomination through a state-by-state roll call.
Harris' milestone achievement as the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to accept a major party's presidential nomination was commemorated with her keynote address, a day post running mate Tim Walz's gratitude session for "bringing the joy" to the election in an arena overflowing with supporters in Chicago. In a unifying instance, Walz stated: "We're all here tonight for one beautiful, simple, reason: We love this country." His speech signified a crucial opportunity for Walz as he introduced himself as Harris' VP choice to scores of Americans previously unaware of him.
The emotional current of his speech moved Gus Walz, the governor's 17-year-old son, who was seen shedding tears profusely, wiping his eyes with tissues from his front-row seat directly facing the governor at the convention hall..
