Kamala Harris Pledges To Be 'President For All Americans' At Democratic Meet; Social Media Buzzes Over 'Surprise Guest'

US Vice President Kamala Harris will pledge to be “president for all Americans” Thursday as she accepts the Democratic Party nomination in Chicago, delivering the biggest speech of her life that will set the pace for her face-off with Republican rival Donald Trump in November.

The 59-year-old Indian-American was to focus on her personal story and vow a “new way forward” as she reaches out to voters after one of the most extraordinary turnarounds in US political history. “I know there are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris was to say, according to excerpts released by her campaign.

The first Black woman nominee for a major party, Harris has electrified supporters in the wake of 81-year-old President Joe Biden’s shock decision to drop out a month ago. She has quickly united the party, wiped out Trump’s lead in the polls, and raised staggering amounts of funds.

‘Maybe Beyonce’

Delegates clapped and cheered hours before her speech, and special musical guests lined up to perform, including pop star Pink and country band The Chicks. Speculation swirled about other special guests adding stardust — including possibly mega-star Beyonce, who has provided Harris with her campaign anthem, “Freedom.” TMZ quoted multiple sources as saying Beyonce would perform.

“You know what I’m really excited for?” said Amanda Taylor, a 47-year-old delegate from Missouri. “Of course, Kamala, but I hear maybe Beyonce is going to come!” Democrats are trying to temper their hopes, knowing that Harris faces a tough sprint to a nail-biting election on November 5, which as in 2020 may be decided by a handful of votes in key states. From Barack and Michelle Obama to Bill Clinton, senior figures have warned all week that Harris has a brutal fight on her hands to beat Trump.

The speed of Harris’s rise, from the first female, Black and South Asian vice president to the Democratic standard-bearer also means Harris remains somewhat unknown to US voters. Harris will seek to remedy that in her speech. She will talk about how a working mother raised her and knows the challenges facing families hit by inflation, a campaign official told reporters. She will recount her career as a prosecutor, highlighting her fight for victims of sexual abuse and gun crime.

 ‘Kamala vibes’

Harris has been short on policy announcements since taking over as the Democratic standard-bearer, particularly regarding the economy, a key issue in the election. The Obamas raised the roof in Chicago on Tuesday, with the ex-first lady declaring that under Harris “hope is making a comeback.”

On Wednesday, Clinton and television talk show host Oprah Winfrey were the warm-up acts for Harris’s running mate Tim Walz. Biden’s farewell address on Monday already seems like a distant memory. From Friday, Harris’s eyes will turn to the sprint for the finish line. She and Trump are due to hold their first debate on September 10.

(With agency inputs)