3 key takeaways from Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic Convention

“Our nation, with this election, 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 said.

Here are 3 key takeaways from Kamala Harris’ speech.

1. 01

   Painting a contrast to Donald Trump

   A large portion of Kamala Harris’ 40-odd minute speech laid out the dangers that Trump will pose if he were to be elected again. “Consider his explicit intent to set free violent extremists who assaulted those law enforcement officers at the Capitol, his explicit intent to jail journalists, political opponents and anyone he sees as the enemy, his explicit intent to deploy our active duty military against our own citizens,” she said.

   Harris argued that the recent Supreme Court decision that said Trump had immunity for his actions as president would make things even worse. “Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. How he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States... to serve the only client he has ever had: himself,” she said.

   She particularly emphasised the impact that a Trump presidency would have on reproductive rights, saying that he would pass a nationwide abortion ban and restrict access to birth control. “Simply put, they are out of their minds,” Harris said, adding that she would “proudly” sign legislation protecting abortion rights into law — something Biden promised but failed to deliver on during his tenure.

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   Among other things, Harris also said that Trump would cut Medicare and Social Security, eliminate the Department of Education, and repeal the Affordable Care Act, citing the policy blueprint laid out in Project 2025 as the playbook for Trump 2.0. Trump has thus far denied any links to Project 2025 and the Heritage Foundation which drafted it, but many people close to Trump have been involved in the project.

   Harris also painted a contrast with Trump when it came to foreign policy, positioning herself as a defender of democracy against the “autocrat” Trump. “I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump,” she said. “They know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favours. They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.”

   Harris said that unlike Trump, she would “never waver in defence of America’s security and ideals”. She said: “Because, in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand — and where the United States of America belongs.” She vowed to “ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world”.

2. 02

   Continuing Biden’s ‘balancing act’ on Israel

   With regards to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, Kamala Harris continued Biden’s balancing act. She said that she “will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself” and will ensure that Israel has “the ability to defend itself because because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival”.

   In Opinion | C Raja Mohan writes: The US can walk, whistle and chew gum at the same time

   At the same time, Harris also said that “the scale of suffering” in Gaza was “heartbreaking”, and that Biden and she were working on a peace deal so that “Palestinian people can realise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self determination”.

   Harris’ speech went further than most Democrats in recognising not only the suffering of Palestinians but also their rights, drawing rapturous applause. But many anti-Israel activists remain unconvinced about the “balancing act”.

   “Leading with Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of 40,000 massacred Palestinians is absolutely tone deaf,” Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC and National Chair of the US Palestinian Community Network told Reuters. “Harris said nothing new… We continue to demand that the U.S. and Harris implement an arms embargo and stop sending weapons and all other aid to Israel,” he said.

   Also Read | A history of the swing states

   For Harris, it is crucial to strike the right cords when it comes to the conflict in Palestine, albeit she alienates left-leaning, younger, and Muslim voters. These voters are likely to play an important role in swing states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

   Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement that mobilised more than 750,000 voters to protest US policy on Israel, said Harris missed an opportunity to win over those people, many of whom live in battleground states. “What’s needed in this moment is courageous leadership that breaks from the current approach," Alawieh told Reuters.

   Notably, the DNC rejected protestors’ requests to have a Palestinian speaker, despite platforming an Israeli speaker.

3. 03

   Doubling down on her middle class roots

   With inflation and high interest rates continuing to drill a hole in American wallets, many polls have shown that the economy continues to be at the top of voters’ minds. This issue is likely to be among the biggest challenges for Kamala Harris who, in the minds of the people, represents the Biden administration which many hold responsible for the United States’ economic troubles.

   In the lead up to her DNC speech, Harris has mentioned multiple, isolated policy proposals including mortgage assistance for first-time homebuyers, a tax credit for parents of newborns, and bans on price gouging at the grocery store to help target inflation.

   That said, she has not put out a comprehensive plan to tackle the economy, that would paint a contrast not only to her opponent Donald Trump, but also current president Joe Biden. Moreover, critics say that Harris’ proposals are impractical, expensive, and perhaps even just election-driven talking points.

   Also Read | Hillary Clinton says Kamala Harris could break the ‘glass ceiling’ with her nomination. What does it mean?

   Her speech at the convention did not address these criticisms nor come with anything more concrete. Rather, she went the route of focusing on her own background and contrasting it to that of billionaire Trump as a means to convince voters that she understands their concerns, and will do what is needed to “strengthen the middle class”.

   “This is personal for me. The middle class is where I come from,” Harris said. “As president, I will bring together labour and workers, small business owners and entrepreneurs, and American companies to create jobs, grow our economy and lower the cost of everyday needs like healthcare, housing and groceries,” she said.

   This was as opposed to Trump, who Harris said “fights for himself and his billionaire friends”. She claimed that Trump “will give them [billionaires] another round of tax breaks that will add up to $5 trillion to the national debt, and all the while he intends to enact what, in effect, is a national sales tax — call it, a Trump tax”.