By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-kamala-harris-speaks-at-2024-democratic-national-convention Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Kamala Harris’ full speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention Politics Updated on Aug 22, 2024 11:38 PM EDT — Published on Aug 22, 2024 1:34 PM EDT Once Kamala Harris took the stage on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, she made history. Watch Harris’ speech in the player above. The vice president formally accepted the party’s nomination for president, becoming the first Black woman or first person of South Asian descent to do so. If she wins November’s election, she would be the first woman president in U.S. history. After a weeklong convention that touted her personal story and her career as a prosecutor and in politics, a cavalcade of speakers described Harris to voters as a “joyful warrior” and defender of personal freedoms and democracy — a stark contrast to the agent for division they’d find in her opponent, former President Donald Trump. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. In her speech, she laid out a choice for voters on Election Day. “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” she said. “A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.” Harris’ ascension this election season was swift. She stepped in after President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to exit the race. In a matter of weeks, Democratic leaders and voters coalesced around Harris as their best chance to win the Oval Office. With fewer than 75 days before the election, that urgency carried to her message to voters in the biggest speech of her political career: The nation can move forward and leave Trump behind. “America, we are not going back,” she said. Find more of our DNC 2024 coverage Live updates: Kamala Harris will accept her party’s nomination on Day 4 of the DNC WATCH: Tim Walz delivers pep talk in full speech at 2024 Democratic National Convention WATCH: Official explains why DNC denied a speaking spot to Palestinian American WATCH: Poet Amanda Gorman recites ‘This Sacred Scene’ at 2024 Democratic National Convention 7 takeaways from Day 3 of the DNC WATCH: Bill Clinton speaks at 2024 Democratic National Convention | 2024 DNC Night 3 WATCH: Oprah Winfrey urges voters to choose joy by choosing Harris at Democratic National Convention Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed from Washington. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Once Kamala Harris took the stage on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, she made history. Watch Harris’ speech in the player above. The vice president formally accepted the party’s nomination for president, becoming the first Black woman or first person of South Asian descent to do so. If she wins November’s election, she would be the first woman president in U.S. history. After a weeklong convention that touted her personal story and her career as a prosecutor and in politics, a cavalcade of speakers described Harris to voters as a “joyful warrior” and defender of personal freedoms and democracy — a stark contrast to the agent for division they’d find in her opponent, former President Donald Trump. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. In her speech, she laid out a choice for voters on Election Day. “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” she said. “A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.” Harris’ ascension this election season was swift. She stepped in after President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to exit the race. In a matter of weeks, Democratic leaders and voters coalesced around Harris as their best chance to win the Oval Office. With fewer than 75 days before the election, that urgency carried to her message to voters in the biggest speech of her political career: The nation can move forward and leave Trump behind. “America, we are not going back,” she said. Find more of our DNC 2024 coverage Live updates: Kamala Harris will accept her party’s nomination on Day 4 of the DNC WATCH: Tim Walz delivers pep talk in full speech at 2024 Democratic National Convention WATCH: Official explains why DNC denied a speaking spot to Palestinian American WATCH: Poet Amanda Gorman recites ‘This Sacred Scene’ at 2024 Democratic National Convention 7 takeaways from Day 3 of the DNC WATCH: Bill Clinton speaks at 2024 Democratic National Convention | 2024 DNC Night 3 WATCH: Oprah Winfrey urges voters to choose joy by choosing Harris at Democratic National Convention Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed from Washington. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now