Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday, telling voters across the country that she believes the 2024 election marks a “fight for America’s future.”
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” Harris told a cheering crowd at the Democratic convention.
Harris spent much of 2024 campaigning as President Joe Biden’s running mate. But on Thursday, she talked to the party that swiftly rallied around her after he ended his reelection bid. She laid out how she would address the major debates facing the nation, ranging from abortion rights to the southern border and the economy.
The vice president’s speech comes after her own running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, delivered his acceptance address on Wednesday, telling his fellow party members “Thank you for bringing the joy to this fight.”
Harris pledges to ‘stand strong’ with Ukraine, work to end war in Gaza
Harris pledged to “stand strong” with Ukraine and NATO and said she is working “around the clock” to end the war in Gaza.
“Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President Zelensky to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade,” she said. “I helped mobilize a global response, over 50 countries, to defend against Putin’s aggression. And as president I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies.”
On the war in Gaza, Harris said “now is the time to get a hostage deal and a cease-fire deal done.”
“Let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” she said. “Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7.”
She also said “what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating.”
“The scale of suffering is heartbreaking,” she said. “President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages is released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.” | via USA Today
This article Kamala Harris accepts Democratic presidential nomination was originally published in USA Today.
