In a historic moment at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president. Her speech, marked by gratitude, determination, and a clear vision for the future, set the tone for her presidential campaign as she aims to succeed President Joe Biden.
Kamala Harris began her address by paying homage to President Joe Biden, who recently withdrew from the 2024 presidential race following a lackluster debate performance. Expressing deep affection and respect, Harris said, “I love you so very much to our President, Joe Biden,” adding that her journey alongside Biden fills her with immense gratitude. She lauded Biden’s leadership as “extraordinary” and credited him for paving the way for her historic candidacy. Harris also shared that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, hold Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in high regard, expressing their heartfelt appreciation.
Jill and I just spoke to @KamalaHarris — we can’t wait to watch her accept this historic nomination.
Kamala and Tim will inspire a generation and lead us into the future. pic.twitter.com/guKuTevT8F
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 23, 2024
The most significant moment of the night came when Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president. Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, she declared, “I accept your nomination to be President of the United States of America.” Harris emphasized her commitment to serving all Americans, stating, “You can always trust me to put country above party and self.” Reflecting on her career as a state and local prosecutor, she reminded the audience of her dedication to public service: “My entire career, I’ve only had one client—the people.”
Harris presented herself as a leader who embodies realism, practicality, and common sense. She pledged to be “a president who leads and listens,” reaffirming her commitment to fighting for the American people. Kamala Harris also resurrected her 2020 campaign slogan, “For the People,” highlighting her unwavering dedication to serving the public.
In a sharp critique of her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, Harris did not mince words, branding him “an unserious man” with potentially grave consequences for the country. She invoked the January 6 Capitol riots to underline the dangers of Trump’s return to the White House, accusing him of attempting to undermine democracy by encouraging an armed mob to storm the Capitol after failing to overturn the election results. Harris warned that a second Trump term would lack “guardrails” due to the Supreme Court’s stance on presidential immunity, making him even more dangerous.
Turning to international affairs, Harris vowed to maintain a firm stance on critical global issues. She pledged unwavering support for Ukraine and NATO allies, positioning herself as a steady hand in global diplomacy. Harris criticized Trump’s previous interactions with autocratic leaders, asserting that she would never “cozy up to tyrants and dictators” like North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un, whom she accused of manipulating Trump with flattery.
VP Harris: “I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump. Because they know he’s easy to manipulate with flattery and favors…because he wants to be an autocrat himself”
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) August 23, 2024
Kamala Harris also emphasized her commitment to Israel, declaring, “I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself.” She called for a cease-fire in Gaza, stating, “Now is the time to get a hostage deal and a cease-fire deal done.”
