Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination for president, lays out her vision for the country

The final night of the Democratic National Convention capped off a remarkable month of surging enthusiasm for Harris’ candidacy.

Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president Thursday night, on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

During her speech, Harris promised to focus on economic growth, rebuild the middle class, provide additional security and support at the US-Mexico border, and restore nationwide abortion rights that Republicans were able to successfully strip away in 2022.

“In this election, many other fundamental freedoms are at stake,” Harris said. “The freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis. And the freedom that unlocks all the others. The freedom to vote.”

The speech was an opportunity for Harris to introduce herself to the public. The vice president and former US senator began her presidential campaign less than five weeks ago, after US President Joe Biden announced his retirement and subsequent endorsement of Harris.

Harris began her speech by detailing her parents’ experience living the American dream: Her mother, an immigrant from India; her father, a student from Jamaica. She detailed the gratitude she’s maintained for her middle-class upbringing. She pledged to institute policies that would allow future generations to benefit from the same—and attain what her parents had: the American dream.

“My mother worked long hours. And, like many working parents, she leaned on a trusted circle to help raise us,” Harris said. “They instilled in us the values they personified. Community. Faith. And the importance of treating others as you would want to be treated: with kindness, respect, and compassion.”

Her mother also taught her “to never complain about injustice. But…do something about it,” Harris said. “She also taught us—Never do anything half-assed.”

Harris also painted a sharp contrast between herself and former President Donald Trump, who is running for a third time after losing to Biden in 2020.

She particularly highlighted her differences with Trump on economic issues, and vowed to lower the cost of healthcare, housing, and groceries, while protecting Social Security and Medicare.

“We know a strong middle class has always been critical to America’s success. And building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency. This is personal for me. The middle class is where I come from,” Harris said.

Trump, she said, would instead fight for “himself and his billionaire friends.”

“He will give them another round of tax breaks that will add five trillion dollars to the national debt,” Harris said. “All while he intends to enact what, in effect, is a national sales tax—call it, a Trump tax—that would raise prices on middle-class families by almost $4,000 a year. Well, instead of a Trump tax hike, we will pass a middle class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans.”

She also blasted Trump for “denigrating America” and “talking about how terrible everything is.”

“Well, my mother had another lesson she used to teach. Never let anyone tell you who you are. You show them who you are,” Harris said. “America, let us show each other—and the world—who we are. And what we stand for. Freedom. Opportunity. Compassion. Dignity. Fairness. And endless possibilities.”

Gun violence was also a priority in speeches delivered Thursday night. While Harris spoke of creating a country free of gun violence, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords spoke of her experience surviving it. Giffords was shot in the head as part of an assassination attempt in 2011, and has since been an ardent advocate for gun reform.

“I learned to walk again, one step at a time. I learned to talk again, one word at a time. I almost died, but I fought for life and I survived,” Giffords said. “Kamala can beat the gun lobby and can beat gun trafficking.”