Harris "I Will Be a President for All People"... 75-Day Presidential Race Begins (Comprehensive)

Middle Class and Prosecutor Image Emphasized... "Trump Is Crazy"
Criticism Over Reproductive Rights... "Trump Catering to Kim Jong-un"
Intense Competition in September 10 TV Debate... Kennedy as a Variable

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her acceptance speech as the Democratic presidential nominee, stating, "I will be a president for all Americans." Officially confirmed as the Democratic presidential candidate 32 days after President Joe Biden's withdrawal, Vice President Harris is now set to fully engage in the U.S. presidential race.

On the 22nd (local time), Vice President Harris spoke at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, saying, "I will create an 'opportunity economy' where everyone has a chance to compete and succeed."

Vice President Kamala Harris is delivering her acceptance speech as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee at the convention held in Chicago on the 22nd (local time). [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

As the final speaker at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Harris received a standing ovation from the audience, who chanted "USA" and "Kamala." Marking her 10th wedding anniversary that day, Harris expressed gratitude to her husband Douglas Emhoff, saying, "Happy 10th anniversary, Dougie." She also thanked President Joe Biden before beginning her speech. Harris appeared wearing a navy blue pantsuit, which The New York Times (NYT) interpreted as a deliberate choice to avoid wearing white?the symbolic color of the women's suffrage movement?and thus to divert attention from her status as the first Black and Asian American female presidential candidate.

Born to immigrant parents, Harris is the first Black female and Asian American presidential candidate, emphasizing the value of unity. She acknowledged, "I know people with diverse political views are watching (the convention)," and pledged, "I will be a president for all Americans." Throughout her speech, Harris consistently emphasized the message of being a "president who fights for the people."

Harris introduced herself as "middle class," highlighting her upbringing in an Oakland apartment in a single-mother middle-class family to create a relatable image contrasting with former President Donald Trump, who comes from a New York real estate empire. In past campaign speeches, she has shared experiences of working part-time at McDonald's during her school days to earn pocket money.

She continued, "My mother taught me and my sister that opportunity is not given to everyone," adding, "But now, I will create an 'opportunity economy' where everyone has a chance to compete and succeed." She also stated, "A strong middle class is crucial to America's success," and declared, "Strengthening the middle class is the goal of my presidency."

Vice President Harris launched a fierce attack on former President Trump, accusing him of representing the wealthy. She said, "Trump does not fight for the middle class. Instead, he fights for himself and his billionaire friends," and claimed, "Trump raises middle-class taxes, but we will lower middle-class taxes." This was in reference to Trump's pledge to impose a 10% universal tariff, which could effectively raise prices. Harris labeled this a "middle-class sales tax." She also promised, unlike Trump, to end the housing crisis and protect Social Security and Medicare.

Following the middle class versus the wealthy theme, Harris contrasted herself as a prosecutor against Trump as a criminal. She warned, "Trump is not serious in many ways, but the consequences of his return to the White House are very serious." She listed incidents including the January 6 Capitol riot and convictions related to it. She also emphasized "peaceful transfer of power" in reference to the January 6 riot.

Harris said, "Imagine how Trump would use the immense powers of the U.S. presidency without any safeguards," adding, "It would not be to improve your lives or strengthen national security, but solely to benefit himself, his only client."

Referring to Trump's governance blueprint 'Project 2025,' she added, "Trump's goal is to take America back to the past. But America will not go back." The audience responded with the chant, "We are not going back."

Democratic figures who gave supportive speeches that day also attacked former President Trump. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, "Do you think Trump understands that if your car breaks down, you can't get to work? He doesn't understand," adding, "His first word was probably 'driver.'" Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised Harris's record as a prosecutor, saying, "She fought for the people, and as president, she will fight with the same passion and determination."

Vice President Harris raised the issue of abortion rights and reproductive rights, saying, "Too many women in America today cannot make decisions," and criticized, "Trump personally appointed Supreme Court justices to take away reproductive rights," urging, "We must ask exactly why they don't trust women. We trust women." This referred to the conservative Supreme Court justices appointed by Trump who overturned the Roe v. Wade decision recognizing abortion rights in 2022. She added, "Simply put, they are out of their minds," and said, "If Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, I will proudly sign it as president of the United States."

On the 22nd (local time), the United States Democratic Party National Convention was held.
[Image source=Reuters News Agency]

Border security, a key issue in the presidential election, has been a frequent target of attacks by former President Trump against the Biden-Harris administration. Vice President Harris said, "We can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform the immigration system," criticizing, "Trump ordered his allies in Congress to repeal border laws." She pledged, "I refuse to politicize security," and promised, "I will reintroduce and sign bipartisan security legislation."

Regarding the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, she said she has been working with President Biden around the clock, urging the release of hostages and the implementation of a ceasefire agreement. She stated, "I will defend Israel's right to self-defense," while also acknowledging, "At the same time, too many innocent lives have been lost in Gaza over the past 10 months. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking."

Vice President Harris declared, "I will not pander to dictators like Kim Jong-un who support Trump," adding, "They know Trump is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors." She continued, "They know Trump will not hold dictators accountable," and claimed, "Because Trump himself wants to be a dictator."

She also criticized former President Trump's remarks related to the Ukraine war, emphasizing her role as vice president in contributing to international support for Ukraine. She said, "As president, I will stand firmly with Ukraine and NATO allies."

Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general, has been criticized for lacking clear diplomatic and security achievements during her vice presidency. Former President Trump and the Republican Party have launched fierce attacks on her regarding border and foreign affairs. In response, Harris pointed out Trump's boasting of good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and criticized his remarks encouraging NATO members who do not actively share defense costs to provoke Russian attacks.

Additionally, Harris emphasized unity, criticizing former President Trump and Senator J.D. Vance for disparaging America during their campaigns. She said, "My mother's lesson was to never let anyone tell you who you are, but to show who you are," adding, "We must show each other and the world who we are and what we represent: freedom, opportunity, compassion, dignity, fairness, and endless possibility." She concluded emphatically, "Let's write the next chapter of the greatest story ever told."

As Vice President Harris finished her speech, 100,000 balloons in red, white, and blue?the colors symbolizing America?fell from the ceiling.

Vice President Harris was selected as the presidential candidate earlier this month through a delegate virtual roll call vote following President Biden's announcement not to seek re-election, and was confirmed at this convention. She has revitalized the Democratic Party by significantly narrowing the gap in approval ratings with former President Trump, turning a previously lagging position into a close race.

Former President Trump was nominated early as the Republican presidential candidate at last month's Republican National Convention. The two candidates are expected to engage in full-scale competition following the scheduled TV debate on the 10th of next month.

On the 22nd (local time), former U.S. President Donald Trump visited Arizona [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the same day, former President Trump visited Sierra Vista, Arizona, bordering Mexico, criticizing the Democratic border policies. Through his social media platform Truth Social, he accused, "All talk, no action," and questioned, "Why didn't you make these promises three and a half years ago?" According to the Associated Press, after Harris's speech ended, Trump sent a political fundraising email titled "Worst Speech Ever."

Meanwhile, there is speculation that former President Trump might attempt to unify with independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. A poll released on the 18th by The Washington Post and ABC News showed Harris with 47% support, Trump with 44%, and Kennedy with 5%. In a tight race between Harris and Trump, the movement of Kennedy's supporters could determine the outcome of the presidential election.