Symbolically, Harris wants to reassure those who still have doubts: only she can unite the US

Robert Novoski

Kamala Harris hasn’t reached the stage where thirty thousand, fifty thousand, no, seventy-five thousand supporters are cheering wildly. In greater numbers than previously expected, Americans headed to Washington DC on Tuesday for the Democratic presidential candidate’s closing speech.

In a black suit, Kamala Harris confidently begins her final sprint for the election. “America has been plagued by division, chaos and distrust for too long,” he told his audience. “I’m offering you a different path.”

Flanked by American flags and blue and white posters reading ‘Freedom’ and ‘USA’, Harris once again sketched the contrast between herself and her rival. Trump is a ‘miserable tyrant’, concerned only with his personal interests and not the interests of the American people.

Moreover, the vice president said, he was “unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed by grievances and prone to unbridled power.” He pointed back for a moment, to the White House, which was lit up. “If he is elected, he will go in there with a list of enemies. I’m with one to do-list.’

He received a standing ovation.

Symbolic place

Harris had chosen a symbolic venue for her closing argument. Nearly four years ago, from here, right behind the White House, Trump sent an armed mob into the Capitol to overturn the results of a fair election.

The former president and his allies have downplayed the violence that occurred on January 6, 2021 for nearly four years. If Harris wins this election, many Americans worry that the election results will trigger more violence.

“I don’t see people who disagree with me as enemies,” said Harris, who has previously said she wants to appoint a Republican to her cabinet. “He wants to imprison them. I will give them a seat at the table.”

Harris’ biggest challenge will be connecting the dangers of a second Trump presidency to the everyday lives of Americans. Voters have now heard that he is a fascist who endangers democracy. If most of them are awake, Trump will have no chance of becoming president again.

It’s Harris’ job to once again explain to voters how much their lives could change negatively under Trump.

It’s a delicate balancing act in the most important week of his campaign. On the one hand, he wants to portray Trump as a danger, and on the other, he wants to be the link that can reunite a divided country. The more negatively he portrays Trump, the more likely he will alienate voters. Moreover, he could give him more power than he wanted the day before the election.

Simple answer

“Of course I want her to win, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen,” said Justin Woods, 34, who came to Harris’ speech with two friends. He wants to believe that his compatriots will make the right choice, but he also doesn’t want to be naive. “Too many Americans are stuck on simple answers to complicated questions.”

Justin Woods.Picture Maral Noshad Sharifi / De Volkskrant

Woods worries about the consequences of a second Trump term: he appoints more conservative top justices, who, even after the Trump era, will push American society further to the right. He wasn’t the only attendee at Harris’ speech who felt concerned.

In recent weeks, Kamala has slightly lost her lead in the polls over Donald Trump. They are almost equal. This is something for Republicans to celebrate, and for Democrats to panic. During the previous two elections, Trump was heavily underestimated in opinion polls. If he and Harris are now evenly matched, and he is underestimated again, does he still have a chance?

Let me introduce you once again

Kamala Harris’ goal on Tuesday was not only to emphasize her differences with Trump, but also to introduce herself once again to voters who still don’t know her well.

The candidate spoke about his background, as the child of Indian and Jamaican migrants. “I love our country with all my heart,” he said, “and I believe in its promises because I kept them.” He also shared his economic plan for the umpteenth time: more money for startups, less taxes for the middle class.

Surveys show that many Americans don’t know enough about it. Before Harris became vice president, she was only a senator in Washington for four years. What’s more, Americans are used to seeing presidential candidates compete for months in primaries. Harris entered the race late after Joe Biden gave up the nomination in the summer.

“I’ll be honest with you,” Harris said Tuesday. I am not perfect. I made a mistake. But I will always listen to you. Even if you don’t choose me.’

Visitors to Washington look different: young and old, white and ethnically diverse. There are a large number of young women who have not been allowed to vote at all. “I want them to see now what strong leadership is,” said Crannough Jones, 52, who brought his teenage daughter along with four other girls he coaches in soccer.

Cranough Jones.Picture Maral Noshad Sharifi / De Volkskrant

“It’s time to turn a new page on drama and conflict,” Harris said, sometimes seriously, sometimes with a smile. “It’s time for a new generation of leadership in America.”

For thousands of visitors to Washington, it felt like the time had come. However, they will have to wait a little longer until the entire country votes next week.

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