Harris Accepts Democratic Presidential Nomination

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Facts

  • Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday became the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to accept the nomination for president of a major US political party at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.[1]
  • During her nearly 40-minute speech, Harris cast former Pres. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, as a threat to the country and an 'unserious man.' She characterized the upcoming election as a 'chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.'[2]
  • Harris, who ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket when Pres. Joe Biden stepped aside last month, credited her experiences as a prosecutor, San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and US Senator for making her someone who can be a 'president who unites us' and 'always fights for the American people.'[3]
  • In addition to anecdotes about her upbringing and life, Harris spoke of creating an 'opportunity economy' where it would be easier to buy a home or start a business and succeed.[4]
  • The fourth and final night of the convention also featured speeches from Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper — all previously candidates to be Harris' vice presidential nominee before she picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.[5][6]
  • In a series of posts on Truth Social during Harris' speech, Trump criticized his opponent, including writing she should 'go to Washington, DC, close the Border, allow fracking in Pennsylvania and other places, and start doing the things she's complaining about aren't done!'[7]

Sources: [1]PBS NewsHour, [2]New York Times, [3]FOX News, [4]BBC News, [5]Newsweek, [6]CNN and [7]ABC News.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Intelligencer. Harris delivered the perfect acceptance speech by expressing her desire to unite the nation and to provide economic opportunity for everyone regardless of party. She presented herself as the sane, moderate candidate while also landing punches on Trump where he's most vulnerable. It looks like she's on the path to victory.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Harris' speech was historically short and lacked any substantive policy talk. She spent most of her time providing a distorted view of her childhood and past jobs, in addition to lying about Trump's policies and actions. The speech was as big a letdown as the lack of a superstar appearance, which had been rumored over the course of the day.

Predictions