CHICAGO — Vice President Kamala Harris urged Americans to seize a ‘’precious, fleeting opportunity’' to move beyond political divisions and the threat of Republican Donald Trump on Thursday as she closed out the Democratic National Convention.
Harris is the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to be nominated, and supporters throughout the convention crowd turned out in white to mark the moment. The convention also featured rising stars of the Democratic party, survivors of mass shootings and others who showcased pressing issues in American life.
The crowded lineup reflected the immense work Democrats have before them as they've stood up a fresh presidential campaign in just under a month since President Joe Biden bowed out of the race.
Here are some takeaways from the Democrats' final night.
Democrats for change
Harris' speech completed a remarkable four-day effort by the party in the White House to contend that it is the real change agent in this election.
Democrats were helped in making that argument by Trump's outsized presence in the political dialogue over the past nine years. They got another boost when Biden stepped aside for Harris, giving voters a fresh choice.
Harris tried to capitalize on that, telling delegates and the nation: ''With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past."
Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, made a similar pitch a day earlier when he wrapped up his speech by slamming Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, saying, "I don't know about you, I'm about ready to turn the page on these guys.''