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What to Expect from Kamala Harris's Big Speech

Tonight, the Vice President will have her best chance to tell her story

Dan Pfeiffer

Aug 22

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Tonight is the big night. Kamala Harris will accept the Democratic nomination before a fired-up crowd of Democrats in Chicago.

Planning for this convention had been ongoing for a year. But a month ago, there was a different nominee. This was a different race with a different map and message. Kamala Harris was underestimated and dismissed by many in politics and media. Not long ago, rampant (and unfounded) speculation ran wild about whether President Biden should replace her on the ticket with a more appealing politician.

Barely a month after unexpectedly becoming the candidate, Kamala Harris will walk on that stage to rapturous applause from an energized, hopeful, and united party faithful. In many ways, she is the heir to the political movement that propelled Barack Obama to the White House.

With her at the top of the ticket, the race for the White House shifted dramatically — from a potential Trump landslide to a veritable toss-up. Kamala Harris has the momentum and energy, but she still has a lot of work to do.

Other than the debate, tonight will be her biggest audience of the campaign and her best opportunity to deliver her message to her target voters. I have been so impressed by the strategic and messaging chops of the Harris campaign. I have great confidence in how she will approach her speech tonight; here’s her to-do list:

1. Tell Her Story

Every other nominee who takes their stage at the convention is more recognizable to the public. That seems counterintuitive given that she is the Vice President of the United States. However, she didn’t run a primary campaign or introduce herself to the country. Yes, she ran in 2020, but her campaign ended before a vote was cast and most voters tuned in. Vice Presidents don’t often receive attention or media coverage, and the last year of the campaign has been about Biden, not her...