WASHINGTON — Standing at a podium on the similar park the place former President Donald Trump whipped up the mob that may assault the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris promised to guard democracy not only for its personal sake, however so Individuals can afford good lives and have the liberty to manage their very own our bodies.
Amid a heated debate amongst Democrats over simply how a lot Harris ought to play to fears about Trump’s authoritarian instincts, Harris discovered a manner, in a speech billed as her closing argument every week earlier than Election Day, to depict Trump’s give attention to private grievances and retribution as each a menace to the nation’s future and an impediment to the precise work of serving the general public.
“In less than 90 days, either Donald Trump or I will be in the Oval Office,” Harris instructed a crowd that her marketing campaign estimated was 75,000 robust. “On Day 1, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in, with a to-do list full of priorities on 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 conjured the picture of her single mom sitting at their yellow Formica desk with a cup of tea as she went via the payments. It’s an expertise Harris shares with many different Individuals, and one she mentioned would inform her priorities in workplace.
“Donald Trump’s answer to you is the same as before: another trillion dollars in tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations,” Harris mentioned. “And this time, he will pay for it with a 20% national sales tax on everything you buy that is imported, clothes, food, toys, cell phones: a Trump sales tax that would cost the average family nearly $4,000 a year.”
Trump would additionally add to households’ well being care prices by repealing the Inexpensive Care Act, she continued, earlier than establishing considered one of her stump speech’s trademark traces: “We are not going back,” she mentioned, prompting the group to interrupt out in chants of “not going back.”
“America, we know what Donald Trump has in mind: More chaos, more division, and policies that help those at the very top and hurt everyone else. I offer a different path. And I ask for your vote.”
– Vice President Kamala Harris
“Donald Trump will deliver tax cuts to his billionaire donors,” Harris added. “I will deliver tax cuts to working people and the middle class. I will make sure you have a chance to not just get by but get ahead, because I believe in honoring the dignity of work.”
Harris then went via an in depth record of her financial coverage priorities: constructing thousands and thousands of latest houses; offering $25,000 in support for first-time dwelling patrons; making a $6,000 baby tax credit score for the mother and father of newborns; and increasing Medicare to cowl long-term look after seniors.
The setting and surroundings of Harris’ speech aimed to offer her the patriotic excessive floor over Trump whereas serving to voters image her because the commander-in-chief. Harris spoke on a big stage on the south facet of the White Home, with its lit portico seen immediately behind her. Two massive indicators that bore the phrase “FREEDOM” stood at both facet. The ocean of individuals listening to her remarks stretched all the way in which right down to the Nationwide Monument, which was surrounded by hundreds of Harris supporters and a few protesters of Israel’s conflict in Gaza.
To drive the purpose dwelling, Harris portrayed herself and her agenda more true heirs to the American Revolution than Trump.
“Nearly 250 years ago, America was born when we wrested freedom from a petty tyrant,” Harris mentioned. “Across the generations, Americans have preserved that freedom, expanded it, and in so doing, proved to the world that a government of, by, and for the people is strong and can endure.”
Kent Nishimura/Getty Photographs
“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 added. “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.”
All through her remarks, Harris emphasised her curiosity in soliciting concepts from Republicans and different individuals with whom she disagrees. She has already promised to nominate a Republican to her cupboard, one thing Biden didn’t do.
“America, we know what Donald Trump has in mind: more chaos, more division and policies that help those at the very top and hurt everyone else. I offer a different path. And I ask for your vote,” she mentioned in her concluding pitch. “And here is my pledge to you: I pledge to seek common ground and common sense solutions to make your lives better.”
Consistent with the spirit of the night, a number of rally attendees spoke concerning the stakes of the race for the nation ― and their considerations a few Trump victory.
Olivia Troye, a former aide to ex-Vice President Mike Pence who has spoken out in opposition to Trump, instructed HuffPost she “absolutely” feared retribution if he returns to the White Home subsequent 12 months.
“It is a very surreal, emotional moment one week out,” Troye, who served as a homeland safety advisor within the Trump administration, mentioned Tuesday. “When I’m looking at the election being so close, I’m wondering what the day after looks like and I’m having the tough conversations with my family,” she added. “My friends are worried, my neighbors are worried. They’re wondering what they can do. It’s definitely more real now.”
Troye is a former profession intelligence skilled who additionally served below President George W. Bush. In August, she spoke on the Democratic Nationwide Conference and warned that Trump is unfit for workplace.
“I’m seeing a lot of movement on the ground and a lot of positive energy and support for Kamala Harris, especially from Republicans and independents,” she mentioned Tuesday, including that she hoped there’s “a silent majority” in assist for electing Harris.
“If she doesn’t win I don’t know that I would recognize the county anymore.”
– Erin Denney, Maryland voter
Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was on obligation throughout the Jan. 6 assault, mirrored on the symbolism of Harris’ speech on the Ellipse.
“Just think of the last presidential address here,” he instructed HuffPost. “I’m just really glad that she’s doing it here, kind of like reclaiming it as, ‘Hey, what happened then? We don’t accept it, we don’t tolerate, and we’re not going back to that.’”
Dunn endured racist abuse whereas defending the Capitol from a mob of Trump supporters and has been outspoken about Trump’s culpability within the riot and efforts to whitewash the occasions of that day.
Different Harris supporters on the rally had been optimistic about her possibilities, however nonetheless nervous concerning the nation and a potential second Trump time period.
“If she doesn’t win I don’t know that I would recognize the county anymore,” mentioned Erin Denney, a 42-year-old from Maryland. “We will lose a lot of our rights. Even the people who don’t believe will lose their rights will lose their rights.”
Denney additionally likes that Harris has by no means referred to “anyone who lives in the country as an enemy of the country.”
Francise Dyson, a 58-year-old D.C. native, mentioned it was essential to be on the Ellipse, “in contrast to the people who were here on Jan. 6.”
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She added of the vibe of the rally, “This is America right here. It’s such a huge diversity, and everybody is here in love. It’s a joyful place.”
William Thayer, a 69-year-old from Maryland, agreed. “It really is America. This is what Donald Trump doesn’t like, what we have here. Because he didn’t grow up with it.”
