By Jennifer Gerson and Grace Panetta/Originally published by The 19th
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her “closing argument” Tuesday on the National Mall, focusing on the future and drawing a sharp contrast with former President Donald Trump on fitness for office.
“America: I know that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. That’s why I’m in this race, to fight for the people,” Harris said and pointed to Americans who fought in wars and in pushes to expand civil rights.
“They did not struggle, sacrifice, and lay down their lives, only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms, only to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant,” she said. “The United States of America is not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators. The United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised.”
While she spoke these words, faint chants of “USA!” could be heard across the Mall. The location was a purposeful reminder of Trump’s January 6, 2021, rally in the same spot in which he urged on people who went on to attack the Capitol.
In her roughly 30-minute speech in front of the largest crowd the campaign has drawn to date, Harris emphatically argued that when it comes to the discord — and hatred — roiling the country, “it doesn’t have to be this way.” The line is one that Harris has used throughout the three months of her candidacy, one past and current staffers say she adopted from the young activists she has met throughout her time in public office. It’s part of her appeal to voters based on the idea of a better future.
“On day one, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list,” Harris said, pointing directly at the White House behind her. “When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list full of priorities of what I will get done for the American people. And I will work with everyone — Democrats, Republicans and independents — to help Americans who are working hard and still struggling to get ahead.”
Harris, surrounded by blue banners spelling out “Freedom” in all caps, stood before a sea of red, white and blue on attendees’ light-up wristbands and on the small American flags they waved. After the Ellipse reached capacity, thousands more viewers gathered on the National Mall; the campaign estimated the crowd at 75,000.
Harris pledged to voters that she was focused on progress, not political points.
“I pledge to listen to experts, to those who will be impacted by the decisions I make — and to people who disagree with me. Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail, I’ll give them a seat at the table,” Harris said. “I pledge to you to approach my work with the joy and optimism that comes from making a difference in people’s lives, and I pledge to be a president for all Americans, and to always put country above party and self.”
Harris is working to appeal to voters in a race that’s tied in all major battleground states, with just a week to go before Election Day and as millions cast their ballots early.
“Trying to save democracy, that’s what brought me out,” attendee Laurel Robinson, wearing a camouflage Harris-Walz hat, said ahead of the speech.
Robinson, who is moving from Missouri to Northern Virginia in search of a bluer political climate, named the Harris’ campaign’s joy, inclusiveness and concern for others as reasons she supports her campaign.
“It’s we, not me — that’s the whole Democratic outlook,” she said.
The speaking program kicked off with everyday Americans who highlighted Harris’ priorities and messaging. They included a single mother who spoke about the importance of the Affordable Care Act for her teenage son who relies on insulin to treat diabetes; a Republican couple from Pennsylvania who are backing Harris after voting for Trump; the brother of Brian Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer who died during the January 6 insurrection; and a daughter of immigrants who spoke to the historic moment.
Harris also shared parts of her personal story, saying the very fact that she was delivering this speech was a testament to the way in which she herself has “lived the promise of America.”
She spoke of attending civil rights marches with her parents while still in a stroller, being raised by an immigrant single mother who worked tirelessly to create more opportunity for her own children, of being raised by a vibrant village of “family by blood and family by love” who taught her the meaning and purpose of community. She said that the “promise of America” lives in her — a woman who has spent her career “fighting for the people,” and listening closely to the next generation who see the potential for a better, safer America.
From the very start of her candidacy, Harris focused on freedom, linking the onslaught of attacks on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting rights to the fight for civil rights in America. In the past week, the campaign has emphasized reproductive rights and democracy, trying to swing voters who are worried about the impact of a second Trump term. That has included a barnstorm throughout swing states with Republican former Rep. Liz Cheney, who is talking about her choice to put country over party and a series of high-profile rallies explicitly focused on the impact of “Trump abortion bans” on women’s lives and safety.
While Harris made many of her standard points from her stump speech on the economy, on caregiving and on reproductive rights, she also outlined what she saw as the stakes of a second term for Trump.
The Ellipse was the site of Trump’s January 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” speech, when he addressed supporters after months of refusing to concede the presidential election to now-President Joe Biden. It was there that Trump encouraged supporters to “walk down to the Capitol” and sparked a deadly, violent insurrection as members of Congress tried to certify the valid results of the election.
Trump held a rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden that has largely drawn attention for racist rhetoric from speakers, continuing the trend of racist and sexist attacks Trump has made throughout the campaign. Trump is running for office after being convicted of 34 felony counts and being found liable for sexual assault, defamation and fraud.
Harris’ choice to speak from the Ellipse is no coincidence, a visual connection to her focus on the preservation of democracy as she argues these issues are intertwined.
Mitzi Maxwell, who lives in Orlando, Florida, came up to Washington with her 88-year-old mother just for the occasion.
“We had to be here,” she said. “It’s a once in a lifetime event.”
Maxwell said she was most excited to hear some of Harris’ signature stump speech lines, including the “We’re not going back” chant that is a feature of Harris’ rallies.
Harris and running mate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota are set to visit all battleground states in the remaining week before the election to further convey this message to undecided voters.
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