Her speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night will be her most challenging moment yet in a whirlwind month that has brought her to the brink of a historic presidency with the potential to transform American politics.
The vice president will present a vision for a new beginning, offering a way forward from the prolonged negativity of Donald Trump’s rhetoric, the public fatigue from a once-in-a-century pandemic, and the rising cost of living.
More broadly, she aims to restore a sense of lightness and optimism to American life, reclaiming the concept of “freedom” from conservative interpretations. Her agenda includes expanding reproductive rights, providing new economic relief for working and middle-class families, improving access to health care, and enhancing safety from mass shootings.
In this election, we face a fundamental question: What kind of country do we want to live in?” Harris asked at a crowded rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, as the convention unfolded in Chicago. “Do we choose a nation of chaos, fear, and hatred, or one defined by freedom, compassion, and the rule of law?”
With President Joe Biden’s reelection bid ending due to advanced age, Harris is being urged by her party to rise to a higher level in the political arena.
No modern presidential nominee from any major party has faced such a daunting challenge in such a brief period.
Kamala Harris stands as the final barrier to Trump’s return to power, after he navigated four criminal indictments, one conviction, and defeated his primary challengers in pursuit of a remarkable presidential comeback.
On Wednesday night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ vice presidential pick, asserted that she could “turn the page on Donald Trump.” Speaking in his straightforward Midwestern manner, Walz’s message aims to resonate with White men in the heartland who might be growing weary of the MAGA agenda.
“Kamala Harris is tough, experienced, and ready,” Walz declared emphatically.
In a bid to sway independent and undecided voters, talk show icon Oprah Winfrey, alongside a lineup of entertainers and celebrities, reinforced the convention’s central message.
“Let us choose common sense over nonsense, because that’s the best of America,” Winfrey urged. “Let us embrace the promise of tomorrow over the bitterness of returning to yesterday. We will not go back. We will not be set back, pushed back, bullied back, or kicked back. We are moving forward.”
Harris’ Key Objectives for Thursday Night
Most presidential nominees spend years developing their political strategies and public speaking skills. Kamala Harris, however, has had to rapidly assemble her campaign.
— Harris needs to prove herself as a viable commander in chief. Despite her support for Biden’s national security policies, her stance on issues like China, Russia, the Ukraine conflict, and Iran remains unclear.
— To challenge Trump effectively, Harris must present herself as the change candidate that voters have been calling for. This is challenging given her association with an unpopular administration. In a bid to distinguish herself from Biden, Harris has adopted a populist approach, pledging to tackle price gouging by supermarkets. Expect her to emphasize this in her speech, aiming to connect with voters. Former President Bill Clinton captured this strategy in his convention speech, highlighting the need for candidates to address voters’ problems, opportunities, fears, and dreams.
— Harris’ mixed record as vice president has led to skepticism about her readiness for the presidency. While her strong start as the presidential candidate has mitigated some Democratic concerns, her ability to withstand future scrutiny remains uncertain. Trump aims to frame her as an extreme liberal outside the American mainstream. Her speech on Thursday will be crucial in countering attacks on her immigration record, character, and leadership capabilities. An even bigger test awaits with her debate against Trump on September 10.
— The early phase of Harris’ campaign has been marked by a resurgence in Democratic enthusiasm. Observers will be watching to see if she can translate this momentum into a successful campaign strategy capable of winning significant voter support.
— Harris needs to undermine Trump’s appeal to build her own majority. While she’s been less explicit than Biden in framing the election as a battle for the nation’s soul, she warns that a second Trump term could dramatically alter the country. “This is not 2016 or 2020. The stakes are higher because we know what he does when he’s in office,” Harris has stated.
Ultimately, Harris must make Americans comfortable with the idea of her presidency.
In a personal appeal, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff portrayed her as a compelling leader, sharing details of their relationship.
“She will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and look, with compassion and conviction. She believes we are strongest when we fight for our beliefs, not just against our fears,” Emhoff said. “Kamala Harris was the right person for me at a pivotal moment in my life, and at this moment in our nation’s history, she is the right president.”
Despite her four years as vice president, Harris remains relatively unknown to many Americans. A recent CBS News poll found that only 64% of Americans knew her positions, compared to 86% for Trump.
This moment offers Harris a critical chance to introduce herself to the nation. It also underscores the urgency for her to define her own narrative before Trump does.
She may not get a better opportunity.
A remarkable turn of events
Although Kamala Harris has shown unwavering loyalty to Biden, her vice presidency has not been marked by significant achievements—one reason why there was minimal pressure on Biden to step down at the start of this cycle.
Now, however, a nominee who has yet to win a presidential vote (her 2020 primary campaign ended well before the Iowa caucuses) is being asked to secure victory in a high-stakes election.
Typically, securing a party nomination requires preparation for the immense responsibilities of the presidency. For Harris, this is not entirely uncharted territory, as she was on the 2020 ticket as vice president and has been a heartbeat away from the top position since.
Harris’ reputation has been bolstered by her role as Biden navigated the pressures of his candidacy and eventually yielded to his party’s call for him to step aside. This crisis may have set the stage for her emergence as a key Democratic figure.
She is not alone in this endeavor. This week, former Democratic presidents, first ladies, and members of Harris’ inner circle and family have rallied behind her, marking a dramatic shift in a party reeling from Biden’s poor debate performance against Trump.
Biden’s emotional handover of his legacy and the party’s hopes to Harris, coupled with his retreat after his convention address on Monday night, leaves Harris as the sole figure who must now persuade voters that she is ready to be the 47th president.
A biography that could unite the Democratic coalition
Kamala Harris would be the first Black woman and Indian American President. Throughout the week, Democratic Party leaders have emphasized her diverse background, from her middle-class upbringing and early job flipping burgers at McDonald’s to her role as California’s attorney general, where she tackled violent crime. They argue that her rise from modest beginnings to the vice presidency reflects a life of service that qualifies her to lead the nation.
This rich and varied biography could be pivotal in reuniting the Democratic coalition of women, minority, and suburban voters, potentially paving her way to the Oval Office.
Upon arriving in Chicago, Democrats were energized by the enthusiasm surrounding Harris and Walz, who captivated large crowds at swing state rallies, leaving Trump struggling to gain momentum and facing the challenge of being the oldest candidate in the race at 78.
However, as the days progress, the reality of the still-tight election has begun to set in. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have cautioned that the race is far from over and that the recent euphoria is merely the beginning of a long campaign.
