Kamala Harris pitches unity message as she makes her case to American voters

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Sen. Kamala Harris called for national unity in the most important speech of her life in Chicago on Thursday, accepting the Democratic presidential nomination and making the case for her victory to a nationwide audience of tens of millions.

In a primetime address, the vice president shared his personal experiences and political vision, drawing a contrast with Donald Trump, who is trying to persuade Americans to elect the first woman president of the United States.

She entered the Chicago arena to a rapturous welcome from the crowd, who chanted “USA.”

“This election provides our nation with a rare and fleeting opportunity to move beyond the bitterness, cynicism and divisive conflicts of the past,” Harris was expected to say, according to prepared remarks released by her campaign before she took the stage.

“I know there are people watching tonight with a wide range of political views, and I want you to know: I am committed to being a president for all Americans,” she will say.

Harris, a former litigation lawyer, has said she will “take legal action” against Trump, the first former president to be convicted of a crime.

“In many ways, Donald Trump is a dishonest man,” Harris is expected to say, according to prepared remarks. “But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”

The speech at the Democratic National Convention will cap an extraordinary few weeks in which Joe Biden dropped out of his re-election bid and endorsed Harris, making her the Democratic nominee in his place.

The 59-year-old former U.S. senator has narrowed the gap in support between Biden and Trump and is now leading the Republican Party in polls nationwide and in battleground states that will decide the outcome of November’s election.

Money has also poured into Harris’ campaign over the past four weeks amid an explosion of Democratic enthusiasm for her candidacy in what is expected to be the most expensive White House election in history.

It’s a remarkable breakthrough for the California native, who has long been dogged by questions about her political skills since losing the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Despite the enthusiasm in Chicago, party officials, including former President Barack Obama, have warned Democrats that Harris still faces a “close race” against Trump, whose MAGA movement has strengthened its support since the assassination attempt on Trump in July.

Harris will also have to address long-simmering tensions within the Democratic Party over the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza.

Heavy police presence in Chicago has prevented thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters from approaching the arena or disrupting the event, but the largest march of the week is due to coincide with Harris’ acceptance speech on Thursday.

Some Democrats have resented pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race, and the president defended his record in a speech on Monday but left the conference soon after.

Harris has not given interviews since being put on the shortlist to replace Biden, but she is under pressure to lay out more detailed proposals and demonstrate her differences with Biden on everything from the economy to immigration to foreign policy.

Harris’ campaign has focused on promoting a message of “freedom”, including on reproductive rights, and warning of far-right “extremism” if Trump wins a second term.

These themes were highlighted at the Democratic National Convention, where prime-time speakers included former first ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, and former President Bill Clinton. Celebrities such as TV star Oprah Winfrey and musician Stevie Wonder also addressed the audience.

Speculation was rife on Thursday that more celebrities would make surprise appearances on the final night of the convention, with many Democrats welcoming rumors that Beyonce would perform in support of Harris. Her song “Freedom” has become the Harris campaign’s theme song and has been used frequently in ads and campaign rallies.

Harris’ acceptance speech was preceded by speeches from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Kelly’s wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt and traumatic brain injury in 2011.