Friday, 20 September 2024
Friday, 20 September 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris sealed the Democratic presidential nomination with a muscular speech, laying down broad foreign policy principles and sharp contrasts with Republican rival Donald Trump with 11 weeks left in the race for the White House.
On the final night of the four-day Democratic National Convention, Harris, 59, promised to be a "realistic," "practical" president for all Americans, as she battles Trump, 78, in a razor-close campaign.
Here are a few takeaways from her speech on the final night of the convention.
Harris attacks Trump
"In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs," she said on Thursday, accusing Trump of bowing down to dictators.
Harris drew a series of contrasts with Trump, accusing him of not fighting for the middle class, planning to enact a tax hike through his tariff proposals, and having set in motion the end of a constitutional right to abortion with his picks for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Harris noted the Supreme Court's recent ruling about presidential immunity and the risks that would pose if Trump gained power again.
"Just imagine Donald Trump with no guard rails," she said.
Harris also accused Trump of wanting to be a dictator and failing to hold autocratic leaders accountable.
"I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators, like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump," Harris said, referring to North Korea's leader. "They know Trump won't hold autocrats accountable, because he wants to be an autocrat himself."
Israel defense, Gaza ceasefire
Harris urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supported Israel's right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians' right to self-determination.
"I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself," Harris said.
She added: "What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost, desperate hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking."
Israel's war in the enclave followed an attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 40,000, according to Gaza health officials and displaced nearly its entire 2.3 million population. It has also caused a hunger crisis and led to genocide allegations at the World Court, that Israel denies.
"President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination," Harris said.
Support for Ukraine and NATO
Harris said she would continue to stand with Ukraine in its war with Russia and support the NATO alliance.
"As President, I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies," Harris said.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States has provided military assistance and aid to Ukraine.
Harris drew a contrast with Trump, who has pushed NATO countries to contribute more to the alliance.
"Trump on the other hand threatened to abandon NATO," Harris said.
Middle class tax cut
Harris said she planned to pass a middle class tax cut if elected.
"Instead of the Trump tax hike we will pass a middle class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans," Harris said in her speech, without giving details.
Harris argued that the Republican former president's plan for tariffs would serve as a price hike. Trump has threatened to use tariffs to achieve what he terms as fair trade relations and deals with other countries.
Last week, Harris outlined proposals to cut taxes for most Americans, ban "price gouging" by grocers and build more affordable housing.
Her agenda may run into resistance from both corporations and the U.S. Congress, which rejected similar proposals when they came from Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden.
