US Vice President Kamala Harris today formally accepted the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nomination. She will contest against her Republican rival Donald Trump. Ms Harris, of Indian origin, emerged as the Democratic candidate last month after President Joe Biden (81) dropped out of the White House race. If she succeeds, she will become America’s first woman president.
“On behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother spoke, on behalf of all whose story can only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for president of the United States,” she said to cheers from attendees at Chicago’s United Center on the final day of the four-day Democratic National Convention.
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: On behalf of all the people whose stories can only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/I8sXLSHOox
— Kamla HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 23, 2024
Watch live: The final night of the Democratic National Convention
— Kamla HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 22, 2024
During her acceptance speech, the 59-year-old vowed to be “the president who unites Americans” and pledged to “fight for America’s future.”
Kamala Harris said, “With this election, our country has a precious and fleeting opportunity to move beyond the bitterness, pessimism, and divisive battles of the past. We have a chance to forge a new way forward, not as members of a party or faction, but as Americans.”
Criticising his rival Donald Trump, he accused him of planning to “push our country backwards”.
Ms Harris said, “This election is one of the most important elections in the life of our nation. Imagine what Donald Trump would be like without a security blanket. He would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States not to make your life better, but to serve his only client… himself.”
He also thanked his boss Mr Biden and said his character is “inspirational”.
“Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show. Your character is inspiring,” she said.
Talking about her life, she said her Jamaican father Donald Jasper Harris always taught her to be “fearless”. Ms Harris also spoke about her Indian mother Shyamala Gopalan and described her as “tough and courageous”.
“My mother taught Maya (her sister) and me to never complain about injustice, but to do something about it,” she said.
Mr Biden, who delivered an emotional farewell speech at the convention on Monday, said he and First Lady Jill Biden had called Ms Harris to wish her well.
“I am so proud to see my partner, Kamala Harris, accept our nomination for president. She will be an outstanding president as she fights for our future,” he said on X.
He also said Ms Harris and her running mate Tim Walz would “inspire a generation and lead us into the future”.
Jill and I just talked @KamalaHarris — we can’t wait to see 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
Senior figures, from Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to Bill Clinton, have warned all week that Ms Harris will face an uphill battle to defeat Mr Trump.