August 23, 2024, presidential campaign news

Vice President Kamala Harris capped one of the most extraordinary months in modern political history Thursday night with a speech that rallied Democrats and cast Donald Trump as the enemy of classic American principles.

Harris went directly at her Republican rival, offering a clean break from the uncertainty and upheaval during his years in the White House. She laid out the former president’s legal troubles. She blamed him for the horrors some women have faced amid the implementation of strict state-level abortion laws.

Here are the takeaways from the fourth night of the DNC:

Fight for “freedom” and a question of government interference: Harris has talked at great length about “freedom,” seeking to reframe issues such as reproductive rights as a question of government interference.

Harris gets personal: The vice president didn’t explicitly compare her upbringing with the former president’s, but other speakers this week have made a more direct contrast between her childhood and Trump’s life as the son of a real estate mogul.

Allies back up Harris’ resume: Each night, speakers have highlighted her work fighting transnational gangs, sexual abusers and corporate bad actors.

Meet the Harris clan: Trump and many other Republicans for years have made a show out of mispronouncing Harris’ first name. On Thursday night, Harris’ two young grandnieces appeared onstage with actress Kerry Washington to send a message: It’s so easy that children can do it. Harris’ niece, Meena Harris, appeared with Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin. Later, Maya Harris, the vice president’s sister, talked about their mother, who died in 2009.

Gun violence testimonies: The convention highlighted the personal stories of people affected by gun violence. Speakers shared their experiences of loss, including Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath whose son was murdered in 2012; mothers who lost their children in the mass shootings at the Sandy Hook and Uvalde school shootings; Melody McFadden, who lost her mother to domestic violence; and Edgar Vilchez, who lost a classmate. Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a shooting at a campaign event in 2011, closed out the segment.

‘Central Park Five’ member: Trump has a long history of weaponizing racial resentments for political gain, but the first instance of Trump utilizing that brand of politics was when the “Central Park Five” — five Black and Latino teenage boys — were wrongfully arrested in 1989 and eventually convicted of raping and assaulting a woman jogging in New York City. Trump, then a New York real estate developer, took out and signed full-page newspaper ads calling for the boys to be executed. Those boys were later exonerated. On Thursday night, four of the five appeared on stage at the DNC.

Gaza war opponents denied speaking spot: The DNC denied speaking time to “Uncommitted” delegates elected by primary protest votes against the Biden administration’s Israel policy. Harris pledged to support and defend Israel and condemned the atrocities of Hamas’ October 7 attacks. She then said “what has happened in Gaza over the last 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again.”

Celebrities make their mark: The DNC has seen several stars this week, from Lil Jon’s surprise appearance during the star-studded roll call to Oprah Winfrey’s speech Wednesday. Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Sheila E. Pink, Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris and Jason Isbell also got stage time.