Kamala Harris vows to bring common sense and unity as president

Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday, vowing to unite the country and bring a pragmatic perspective to the presidency if she is elected in November.

“I know there are people of all political persuasions watching tonight,” Harris said during her keynote speech on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“I want you to know: I am committed to being a president for all Americans,” she said.

“I will be a president who unites people and achieves our highest aspirations,” Harris said. “I will be a president who leads and listens. I will be realistic, pragmatic, have common sense, and always fight for the American people.”

Harris also promised that building the middle class “will be a defining goal of my presidency.”

“It’s a very personal thing for me. I come from a middle-class background,” she said.

This statement conveys the President’s Joe BidenHe made history in late July by withdrawing his request for reelection and endorsing Harris to succeed him.

But Harris’ speech also sought to distinguish herself from the 81-year-old incumbent, who has been plagued by low approval ratings, and to propose a “new way forward.”

“Through this election, our nation has a precious and brief opportunity to move beyond the resentments, cynicism, and divisive struggles of the past,” she said. “We do this not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”

The speech was the finale of a four-day march that brought together politicians, celebrities, activists, entertainers and everyday Americans, from Oprah Winfrey to Bill Clinton to members of the wrongfully imprisoned Central Park Five.

It also reflects the patriotic posturing and positive vibe that characterized much of the convention — an apparent effort to appeal to more moderate voters and dispel Donald TrumpEfforts were made to label Harris a far-left “Marxist.”

The tone served another purpose: to underscore recent Democratic claims that both Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, are “weird” and don’t represent the majority of Americans.

“Donald Trump is, in many ways, an unserious man,” Harris said in her speech Thursday. “But the consequences of returning Donald Trump to the White House are extremely serious.”

She warned that Trump’s power would be further enhanced if he were awarded a second term, and cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that gave former presidents “presumptive immunity” from criminal prosecution for their official actions.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.