Kamala Harris delivered an impassioned speech as she accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination on Friday, saying the United States cannot go back to Donald Trump, her Republican rival.
Harris, the first Black and Asian American woman to get a major party's nomination for president, took the stage to a massive reception on the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“We got to get to business... Let's get to business,” Harris said as she addressed the energised crowd cheering "Kamala!" and "USA!".
With millions watching, in the US and across the globe, Harris told her story. She began her speech with a shoutout to her husband Douglas Emhoff, wishing him a happy anniversary. To her running mate, she said, “Coach Tim Walz, you are going to be an incredible Vice President.”
Right at the outset, she asserted that the 2024 US presidential election would be the "most important of our lives" and one of the most pivotal moments in the nation's history. She said there would be no going back to Donald Trump, but the charting of a new way forward.
She outlined her vision, saying it differs from Trump's "dark agenda", and accused the former President of fighting "for himself and his billionaire friends". Touching upon her time as a prosecutor, she roused the crowd by saying, "All my life I had only one client, the people."
Taking a swipe at Trump for his role in the US Capitol insurrection, Harris declared, "You can always trust me to put country above party and self." Vowing to be a "President for all Americans", she also pledged to uphold the rule of law and committed to a peaceful transfer of power.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious," she said.
She went on to blast Trump for his apparent willingness to violate laws, from listing his criminal indictments to his “explicit intent” to free extremists, jail journalists and political opponents. The Vice President also pinned the setback to reproductive rights on Trump as his Supreme Court judge picks helped overturn Roe v Wade.
"Consider what he intends to do if we give him power again... Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails," she warned.
In a pitch for unity, Harris called on Americans to "show each other and the world who we are and what we stand for: freedom, opportunity, compassion, dignity, fairness and endless possibilities".
Kamala Harris, 59, emerged as the Democratic candidate just over a month ago after allies of President Joe Biden, 81, urged him to withdraw from the race. If successful, Harris would make history as the first woman elected US President.
Her speech in Chicago capped a whirlwind eight weeks in American politics, marking a stunning reversal of Democratic fortunes just 75 days before Election Day. Democratic leaders, who had publicly expressed concerns over Biden's candidacy following a challenging debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump, were now jubilant at the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy and the renewed optimism for their chances in November.
The four-day convention drew some of the biggest names in politics and entertainment. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a close ally of Harris, spoke before her, highlighting her moderate appeal.
“America, we have one hell of a fight ahead of us. And Kamala Harris is one hell of a fighter. Kamala Harris will fight for you till the very end. And when she fights, we win,” Cooper declared.
Biden called Harris to wish her luck before her speech, according to a White House spokesperson.
