CHICAGO — Vice President Kamala Harris capped the star-studded Democratic National Convention on Thursday by vowing to unite Americans and usher in a “new way forward” — but offered little insight into her policy agenda that would achieve that.
Harris, 59, formally accepted her party’s presidential nomination in a speech that focused on her “middle-class” background and painted former President Donald Trump as an “unserious man” whose election would have “extremely serious” consequences for American democracy.
In the nearly 40-minute address, Harris leaned heavily on her childhood and her “unexpected” journey to the White House.
“America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was no doubt unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys,” she said.
“My mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. I miss her every day — especially now. And I know she’s looking down tonight, and smiling,” she continued.
“My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakeable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.”
The former California attorney general highlighted her upbringing in a “working-class” neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“It was mostly my mother who raised us. Before she could finally afford to buy a home, she rented a small apartment in the East Bay. In the Bay, you either live in the hills or flatlands. We lived in the flats — a beautiful working-class neighborhood of firefighters, nurses and construction workers, all who tended their lawns with pride,” she said.
When finally delving into policy, Harris — who accepted the nomination without having sat for any significant media interviews — offered scant details.
“I will bring together labor and workers and small business owners and entrepreneurs and American companies to create jobs, to grow our economy, and to lower the cost of everyday needs like health care and housing and groceries,” she pledged.
“We will provide access to capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs and founders and protect Social Security and Medicare,” she added.
Later she vowed to pass a middle-class tax cut “that will benefit more than 100 million Americans,” safeguard abortion access and sign sweeping border security legislation into law that was opposed by most Republicans this summer.
Democrats have been re-energized by Harris taking the 81-year-old President Biden’s place atop the 2024 ticket just over a month ago, despite a lack of any robust policy discussion — and the lack of a policy page on her campaign website.
The Kamala coconut vibes “energy” was mentioned by many of the speakers and the attendees throughout the DNC, and could be felt at the convention center on the final night with an all-evening-long dance party filled with celebrity appearances, including a performance by pop sensation P!nk and a speech by “Desperate Housewives” actor Eva Longoria.
Attendees also cheered to videos of Harris dancing and laughing and spreading “joy.” Delegates roared loudly when multiple speakers mentioned the fake, crude “couch” reference about GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
But the energy took a turn when attendees, who were expecting a special guest to introduce their presidential nominee, discovered there was none.
Rumors that Beyonce would perform reached fever pitch Thursday night after TMZ reported that the superstar would be dropping in.
The crowd was waiting until the last moment for the mega-star — only to find out there was no surprise musical performance.
NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Stephen Curry did, however, make an unexpected appearance via video, in which he said Harris will bring back “unity.”
“Kamala as president can bring that unity back,” claimed Curry, who led the USA Men’s Basketball team to a gold medal this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“In the words of Michelle Obama, do something! Go vote!”
Meanwhile, in her speech, Harris blasted Trump as selfish and accused him of “having no guardrails” in the White House.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious,” she said sternly.
“Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes. When he failed, he sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol, where they assaulted law enforcement officers,” she asserted.
Trump, meanwhile, was live-posting during her address on Truth Social, stressing that Harris is “all talk no action” and that she’s currently in office but hasn’t accomplished anything she has said she stands for.
At the Billy Goat Tavern and Grill, a few blocks from the DNC, retired policeman Peter Garcia, 61, also wasn’t impressed by Harris — as he watched the Bears vs. Chiefs game instead of her speech that was shown on multiple screens.
“She’s afraid. She needs to be coached and prepared before she can say anything. It stems from her not having a thought of her own,” he said about her not giving an interview.
“What is she afraid of? If you’re a firm believer in your cause … you should be prepared to answer questions,” he added. “What would I say to her? ‘Give up.’”
Harris maintains she will do an interview by the “end of the month,” her campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said Thursday morning, adding that the campaign will “build” on Biden’s administration — without mentioning any new specifics in the interview with the Washington Post.
The final day of the DNC also included speeches from the Rev. Al Sharpton, four members of the Central Park Five, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer ripped Trump for his wealthy upbringing.
“You think he understands that when your car breaks down, you can’t get to work? No, his first word was probably ‘chauffeur,’” she quipped.
“You think he’s ever had to take items out of the cart before checking out? Hell, you think he’s ever been to a grocery store?”
Warren, who ran against Harris in the 2020 presidential election, was in tears as she entered the stage and gushed over Harris, saying how much she trusts the vice president over the former president.
“This election is about your family and your future. I’ve seen Kamala Harris fight, I’ve seen her win. And when it comes to our families and our futures, Kamala Harris is someone we can trust. So here it is, with joy in our hearts, let’s elect Kamala Harris, the next president of the United States,” Warren said.
In her address, Harris spoke about her decision to become a prosecutor, explaining that she chose the profession after she found out her best friend in high school was being sexually abused.
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to start a new way forward,” she said.
“I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations. A president who leads — and listens. Who is realistic. Practical. And has common sense. And always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work,” she added of her vision.
With additional reporting by Steven Vago
