CHICAGO, United States (AFP) – Kamala Harris, the current U.S. Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, delivered a powerful speech on the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024. Harris pledged to be a “president for all Americans” as she formally accepted her party’s nomination for the highest office in the country.
In front of a jubilant crowd waving Stars and Stripes and chanting “USA,” Harris’s acceptance marked a significant moment in American political history. This milestone reflects an extraordinary turnaround in U.S. politics, propelling the 59-year-old vice president into the spotlight as the Democratic standard-bearer against Republican Donald Trump.
Harris’s speech focused on her personal journey and a promise of a “new way forward,” aiming to connect with a broad spectrum of voters. Her ascent follows President Joe Biden’s unexpected decision to step down last month, an announcement that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Biden, at 81 years old, made this decision citing personal reasons, paving the way for his vice president to unite the party and galvanize the electorate.
“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris was to proclaim, according to excerpts shared by her campaign.
In a convention filled with star-studded performances, pop megastar Beyonce was rumored to surprise attendees with her campaign anthem “Freedom.” Additionally, The Chicks delivered a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and pop icon Pink also took the stage to energize the crowd.
Supporters like Amanda Taylor, a 47-year-old delegate from Missouri, expressed excitement not just for Harris, but the possibility of witnessing Beyonce’s performance. “You know what I’m really excited for? Of course, Kamala, but I hear maybe Beyonce is going to come!” Taylor said.
President Joe Biden, in an emotional farewell speech delivered earlier at the convention, extended his best wishes to Harris alongside First Lady Jill Biden. “I am proud to watch my partner Kamala Harris accept our nomination for president. She will be an outstanding president because she is fighting for our future,” Biden said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, as he vacationed in California.
While the Democratic Party has rallied behind Harris, acknowledging her swift success in uniting the party and overturning Trump’s once-comfortable lead in the polls, they remain cautious. The November 5 election could be as tightly contested as the 2020 race, with key states potentially determining the outcome once again.
Throughout the week, party leaders, including Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton, urged supporters to prepare for a fierce contest ahead. Trump’s campaign, unsettled by facing a younger and historic rival, has increasingly relied on personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.
As the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for the presidency, Kamala Harris’s candidacy signals a significant shift in American politics. The road to the White House for Harris will undoubtedly be challenging, but she has already inspired a wave of optimism and unity within the Democratic Party and beyond.
