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Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination, vows to be president ‘for all Americans’
Vice President Kamala Harris wrapped up the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night as she accepted her party’s historic presidential nomination, seizing one of her few remaining opportunities to appeal to an audience of millions. Harris detailed on her life story, contrasted her vision with her opponent Donald Trump’s, and gave slight glimpses of her ambitions in the White House, inviting Americans to chart a “new way forward”.

Issued on: 23/08/2024 – 04:39

5 min
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate arrives to speak on the last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024.
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate arrives to speak on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024. © Erin Hooley, AP
By:
NEWS WIRES
Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago on Thursday in front of a rapturous crowd, pledging a “new way forward” if she beats Republican Donald Trump in November’s blockbuster election.

“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,” the 59-year-old said to huge cheers.

“I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations,” she said.

A sea of waving Stars and Stripes flags and chants of “USA” filled the arena as jubilant Democrats anointed Harris as their standard-bearer.

Harris pledged to be a “president for all Americans” as she reaches out to undecided American voters after one of the most stunning upheavals in US political history.

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‘Yes she can’: Obamas laud Harris at Democratic National Convention

With the November election, Americans have a “fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past — a chance to chart a new way forward,” she promised.

She laid out her personal story as a child of a single working mother, and her career as a prosecutor, saying she has the background and experience to serve the country in contrast to Trump who she said only works for himself and “his billionaire friends.”

The convention became a giant party to celebrate Harris’s astonishing ascent.

Country act The Chicks sang a version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while pop star Pink also performed as the Democrats rolled out a list of celebrity backers.

‘President for all Americans’
The first Black woman nominee for a major party, Harris has wiped out former president Trump’s lead in the polls, drawn enormous crowds and raised record funds.

Now her challenge is to introduce herself to a country is still getting used to the new Democratic candidate.

“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 said.

She talked about being raised by a working, single mother, insisting she understood the challenges facing families hit by inflation.

Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff celebrate after Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug 22, 2024 in Chicago, IL.
Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff celebrate after Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug 22, 2024 in Chicago, IL. © Justin Sullivan, Getty Images/AFP
Harris also recounted her prosecutorial career fighting for victims of sexual abuse and gun crime, highlighting the fact that in Trump she now faces the first convicted felon ever to seek the White House.

The torch having well and truly been passed, Biden gave a farewell speech on the first day of the convention and said he had called Harris to wish her luck.

“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, who is on holiday in California, said on X.

‘Proud’
The Democrats have been riding a wave of energy and enthusiasm since Harris took on the mantle from Biden a month ago.

The first Black woman nominee for a major party, Harris has wiped out former president Trump’s lead in the polls, drawn enormous crowds and raised record funds.

Now her challenge is to introduce herself to a country is still getting used to the new Democratic candidate.

The torch having well and truly been passed, Biden gave a farewell speech on the first day of the convention and said he had called Harris to wish her luck.

“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, who is on holiday in California, said on X.

06:23
Yet Democrats will also be trying to temper their hopes, knowing that Harris faces a tough sprint to a nail-biting election on November 5, which as in 2020 may be decided by a handful of votes in key states.

From Barack and Michelle Obama to Bill Clinton, senior figures have warned all week that Harris has a brutal fight on her hands to beat Trump.

Trump is increasingly resorting to personal insults, racially charged attacks, and dark rhetoric.

His campaign described Harris’s performance as the “worst speech ever.”

And on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote in his characteristic all-caps style: “SHE HAS LED US INTO A FAILING NATION STATUS!”

‘Tempered hopes’
Democrats are trying to temper their hopes, knowing that Harris faces a tough sprint to a nail-biting election on November 5, which as in 2020 may be decided by a handful of votes in key states.

From Barack and Michelle Obama to Bill Clinton, senior figures have warned all week that Harris has a brutal fight on her hands to beat Trump.

The 78-year-old believed he was cruising to a stunning return to power against Biden, but has been unsettled by the sudden Democratic switch to a much younger opponent — and one looking to make history as the first female president.

The Republican is increasingly resorting to personal insults and race-baiting.

Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024.02:48
Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024. AFP – SAUL LOEB

Speaking near the Mexican border barrier built during his presidency in the battleground state of Arizona, Trump focused Thursday on immigration, which Republicans believe is a major weakness for Harris.

Recounting stories of people he said were killed by migrants who had come across the border illegally, he said: “As Kamala gives her convention speech tonight, she will not mention the victims. She won’t even mention their names.”

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The sheer speed of Harris’s rise, from the first female, Black and South Asian vice president to the Democratic standard-bearer also means Harris remains somewhat unknown to US voters.

Harris will seek to remedy that in her speech. She will talk about how she was raised by a working mother and knows the challenges facing families hit by inflation, a campaign official told reporters.

She will recount her career as a prosecutor, highlighting her fight for victims of sexual abuse and gun crime — and likely highlighting the fact that in Trump she now faces the first convicted felon ever to seek the White House.

(AFP)