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Speech on Dreams

Just like sleep, dreams are important too simply because they give our lives a meaning as well as direction. Without dreams, our lives would be like an aimless, lost ship on the sea. And, no one would want to make his/her life like an aimless wandering ship. There is more to it. So if you want to learn more about the importance of dreams, then our comprehensive speeches on dreams would give you a fair understanding about the topic. There are both short speeches on dreams as well as long speeches on dreams that can be used as a good reference point for your written assignments or when it comes to preparing a brief for any occasion or event in your school, office, social function, etc.

Long and Short Speech on Dreams

Speech on dreams 1.

Respected Teachers and My Dear Fellow Students – Good Morning to all of you!

As we have been studying Freud’s Psychology, we are gaining knowledge about a lot many things, such as ego, super ego and alter ego. And also how dreams function, which are a result of our repressed psychology. Since today’s session is on the same subject, I want to take out a few moments in order to deliver a short speech on dreams.

We all dream, right! While some experience a weird dream, some very happening, some full of horror and some just beyond explanation. But howsoever our dreams are; they tell a lot about our mental status and the psychological conditions of our brain. Last night, I came across a very strange dream where I am trying to rise up the ladder and weren’t able to get at the top. I was perspiring hard, falling, rising and was again repeating the same exercise.

When I woke up today, I couldn’t understand what it was and what it is trying to convey. But after linking it up with my studies, I realized that it is so much a part of my mental makeup. I realized that I am very ambitious and persistently working on my set goal, i.e. to gain gold medals in Mathematics Olympiad continuously 3 times in a row. So rising on a ladder means trying to achieve our target which is high up there and falling implies failures. But in my dream I did not give up and was doing the same thing tirelessly. This suggests my steadfast nature and an ambitious spirit.

Another very weird dream that I experienced last month was something like this. I was bleeding profusely and no one came to my help. I was shouting all loud, people were walking by, but even then not a single person turned up for my rescue. This dream made me very uncomfortable and disturbed my inner being to the core. But since I have gained the ability to interpret my dreams, I realized that it was a clear reflection of my mental state of being. This bleeding part implies that I was in some urgent help and didn’t get any help from my near or dear ones. Since my childhood, I have always been insecure about my relationships – whether it’s my family or friends. I am extremely sensitive and get disheartened when my closest of people tend to ignore me. My dream therefore is a clear reflection of my insecure nature.

Having said this, I would still like to emphasize the point that it is very important that we share our dreams with our family or friends and do not simply keep it to ourselves if it disturbs us much. Besides, we should also try and analyze our dreams because if we can come to its root cause and put some efforts in solving it, we will gain inner strength and confidence. That’s all I have to say!

Speech on Dreams 2

Dear Friends – Warm Good Evening to all of you! I welcome you all to our society club house.

I hope you all have had a nice weekend and made it to the most. To all the children – I hope you also enjoyed your long weekend and got to play with your friends as much as you could, but also took out time to study.

As I have been observing all the students and wanted to take an interactive session in the presence of everyone, including your parents so that we all can discuss our dreams and aims in life and what we ultimately aspire to become. As parents perhaps we have become old enough to really have any ambition in life. But really it knows no age and gender. We can turn old and still aspire to be famous and rich. However, ambition-driven life is more apt for the youth, students and working professionals. So here I am to deliver a short speech on dreams and discuss with each other what is it that we all aim to become.

Dreams, as well all know, are an integral part of everyone’s lives for without them there would be no meaning in life. Our lives will then become like a lost ship on a sea sailing aimlessly without any direction. I am sure no one would want to see himself/herself in such a terrible situation as this. Without dreams, life would be like chasing an unseen shadow, which has no substance and no meaning whatsoever.

Therefore, we need to have some dreams in life – whether big or small. Even people who gained success in life had dreams to chase which made them what they are today. Interestingly, such people do not give up dreaming and one after the other set new benchmarks in life to go high up in the ladder of success. If we will have no dream and nothing to work towards, life would certainly become aimless and monotonous. We will lose interest in life and ultimately start hating it. It is only with dreams or ambitions; we see our lives finding a meaning in life. We become confident and gain a new perception of life.

There may come many failures while working towards our dreams, but those failures should not deter us from our path rather strengthen our belief and faith in ourselves that we can achieve what we want to. Dreams are a constant driving factor and give us a purpose in life. Having said this, I would also like to mention that we should also cultivate a positive attitude towards life and should always be ready to walk an extra mile for accomplishing our dreams.

So children, from now on, I sincerely believe that you all will never give up on your dreams and persistently work towards achieving them; come what may. Now, may you take this opportunity to share with us your passion in life and how you’d like to see yourself after 15 years?

Speech on Dreams 3

Respected Guests of Honor, Principal, Vice Principal, Teachers and My Dear Students – Warm Welcome to all of you!

Today, before I commence my speech on Dreams, kindly allow me to make a special mention of our guests of honor, Dr. Shamita Pathak (Psychologist) and Dr. Nishant Patnaik (Senior Psychologist in XYZ Hospital) who made their presence here despite their hectic schedule. I also want to thank our hon’ble principal and vice principal for making this event happen and also taking out their precious time for today. Nothing would have been possible without the constant support of our staff teachers and our dear students who never said ‘No’ for any work.

Now, if I talk about the important role that dream plays in our lives, it would be difficult to sum up in a few words. However, I can put it this way that a man with no dreams is similar to a bird that has no wings and thus cannot fly. Often people are seen criticizing others as a day dreamer. But is it possible to imagine this world in a progressive state, if its people cannot dare to dream and make it come true?

Life definitely throws challenges in the pursuit of our dreams, but in this situation either a person surrenders and gives up or continues to work towards it despite facing the obstacles. It is not easy to do so, but certainly not impossible also. If you dream, it needs to be translated into actions and sweat and blood need to be shed. Undermining the importance of dreams would mean causing offense to the agency of human imagination. History has it that men with an exceptional level of endurance power and strength of character overcame the most difficult of situations and never undervalued their dreams.

The great legend Chandragupta Maurya under the tutelage of his guru Chanakya dreamt of ruling over the dynasty called Nanda, which he was able to realize and founded one of the greatest empires recognized in Indian history. Likewise, the great emperor Ashoka took the world by storm at the time of his Kalinga victory and took a decision of not following the path of victory achieved through bloodshed and warfare. He used to dream of a world where righteousness or what is also called “Dharma” could prevail and he did whatever he could do in his capacity to realize his dream.

Then there was Akbar – the emperor who dreamt of a secular India where the differences between the Muslims and Hindus could be eliminated forever based on a common faith, i.e. Din-i-Illahi. Even though his dream of a secular India could not become much successful then, but whatever he could do in order that the Muslims and Hindus could come together was never surpassed in our Indian history even till date. In fact, our Indian freedom struggle has plenty of examples of those dreamers, i.e. from Lala Lajpat Rai to Mahatma Gandhi, etc who had the power of conviction and were able to make their dreams come true.

Therefore, even we should also not give up on our dreams and make it come true through our persistent hard work.

Speech on Dreams 4

Respected Members and Dear Audience – Warm Greetings to all of you!

First of all I would like to thank my audience for making their presence here in such a large number and making it so overwhelming for us. Today, I am going to deliver a speech on Dreams and share with you how important it is to dream and have an aim in life.

What true success actually is? How to have a successful life? Why only a handful of people achieve success while others fail? What is the key to success? These are some of the questions that always hover in the minds of millions of people. There is no denying that everyone wishes to become successful and earn name and fame. Some people have this thinking that if they gather a lot of bank balance and have a big car outside their house, they will be successful. I have personally observed in people who have a huge bank balance they do not have substantial relationships. Would you really call it success?

What I call success in true sense of the term is when one achieves success in terms of health, prosperity, relation and spirituality. These, I believe, are the four pillars of leading a happy, healthy and successful life.

In case we have a lot of dreams, but also have a sense of fear towards accomplishing those dreams, then we will not be able to achieve anything. Fear is that phenomenon which makes our brain inactive and leaves it incapable of doing anything. Fear of failure prevents us from embarking on our dreams. It leaves us in a depressed state and makes us question ourselves “What if I fail in my endeavors, what will happen then?”

If you really want to transform your dream into reality, then you will have to learn the art of overcoming your fear and fighting back. Fear has a tendency of frustrating you even before you take a step ahead. It can leave you shattered. So keep your fear at bay and cultivate courage within yourself. If you are courageous and have a firm faith in yourself, you can even destroy a mountain. Impossible becomes possible!

Opportunities do not strike again and again. We tend to lose many opportunities in life simply because we lack enough courage to do things. Every time we leave things on ‘tomorrow’ and say from tomorrow I will make a fresh start. Tomorrow never comes. If you cannot begin now; then perhaps tomorrow also will never come! You can at least start taking small steps because beginning is very important. The people in Japan know this secret because they start their regular job and achieve their goal at any cost. If harmonium, guitar or dance is what you want to learn, then start learning it without any delay, i.e. without waiting for tomorrow. Who knows whether tomorrow will come or not! If you begin taking small steps, then one day you will surely find your way.

So dare to dream and make it come true with your sheer perseverance and hard work.

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Essay on My Dream for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my dream.

Everyone has a dream in his life which they want to achieve when they grow up. Some kids want to become rich so that they can buy anything and some want to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. But only you know that for achieving these goals you have to work hard and stay attentive to it. In this essay on my dream, we are going to discuss the basic things that will help in achieving my dream .

Determination

For turning a dream into reality the first thing that you need is determination. This will help you in a lot of ways. Firstly, it will help you decide the course of action for doing anything. Besides, it will also help you to plan the journey ahead. Also, it will help to take things slow and maintain a steady pace towards the dream.

Moreover, no matter how big my dream planning and setting short term goals will always help. This is important because rushing to your dream will not going to help you in any way. Besides, there is some dream that requires time and they follow a process without following it you cannot achieve that dream.

Staying Motivated

Lack of motivation is one of the main causes that force a person to leave his dream behind. So, staying motivated is also part of the goal. And if you can’t stay positive then you won’t be able to achieve the dream. There are many people out there that quit the journey of their dreams mid-way because they lack motivation .

Keep Remembering Goal

For completing the dream you have to keep your dream in the mind. And remind this dream to yourself daily. There come hard times when you feel like quitting at those times just remember the goal it helps you stay positive . And if you feel like you messed up big times then start over with a fresh mind.

Reward Yourself

You don’t need to cover milestones to reward yourself. Set a small target towards your dream and on fulfilling them reward yourself . These rewards can be anything from toffee to your favorite thing. Besides, this is a good way of self-motivation.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Take Some Breaks

Working towards your goal not mean that you work day and night without stopping. Apart from that, due to continuous efforts, people soon start to become de-motivated. So, taking a break will help your body and mind. For doing so, take a break in between your schedule for some time an engage yourself in other activities.

Stay Among Positive People

Your company affects you in a lot of ways than you can imagine. So, be with people who appreciate you and stay away from people who distract and criticize you.

Don’t Hesitate to Make Mistakes

To sum it up, we can say that dreaming of a goal is far easier than achieving it. And for fulfilling your dream you need a lot of things and also have to sacrifice many things.

Above all, for fulfilling your dream plan and work according to it because it will lead you to the right path. And never forget to dream big because they help in overcoming every obstacle in life.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What’s the best way to achieve a dream?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “There is no best way for achieving your dream. However, there are certain things that can help you in achieving your dream like being clear to your goal, keep trying, being determinant and several other qualities.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What can be the biggest dream of anyone’s life?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”:”From my point of view being healthy and happy can be the biggest dream of anyone’s life. “} }] }

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Kamala Harris Delivers Forceful DNC Address as She Shatters a New Ceiling: 'Let's Write the Next Great Chapter'

"The path that led me here in recent weeks was no doubt unexpected," she began. "But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys"

Vice President Kamala Harris ' historic finale speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention marked the first time a woman of color has accepted a major party's nomination for president. Tasked with proving to the nation that she's ready to lead, Harris delivered an assertive and patriotic address that sought to unify Americans across the political spectrum.

“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," she said. "You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power."

She continued: "I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations, a president who leads and listens, who is realistic, practical, and has common sense, and always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work ."

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

Harris' speech began with an acknowledgement that the 2024 election is playing out differently than voters imagined. "The path that led me here in recent weeks was no doubt unexpected," she said. "But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys."

The vice president — who only recently replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the White House ticket — used the podium to formally introduce herself to the nation, telling the story of her childhood and sharing lessons from her late immigrant mother, Shyamala Gopalan , about resilience and determination.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty 

Touting her career as a prosecutor, the former California attorney general said the only client she's had in her career has been the American people.

"I love our country with all my heart," she said. "Everywhere I go and everyone I meet, I see a nation that is ready to move forward. Ready for the next step in the incredible journey that is America. I see an America where we hold fast to the fearless belief that built our nation and inspired the world. That here, in this country, anything is possible. That nothing is out of reach."

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty 

While most of the DNC's keynote speakers made jokes about the Republican presidential ticket, Harris maintained a solemn tone while discussing GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance , characterizing their vision for America as a dark one.

"Fellow Americans, this election is not only the most important of our lives, it is one of the most important in the life of our nation," she said. "In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious. Consider not only the chaos and calamity when he was in office, but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election."

"Our opponents in this race are out there every day denigrating America, talking about how terrible everything is," she continued. "Well, my mother had another lesson she used to teach: 'Never let anyone tell you who you are, you show them who you are.' America, let us show each other and the world who we are and what we stand for."

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

After forcefully hitting on the major election year issues — including reproductive freedom, border security , gun violence, foreign relations and building the middle class — Harris leaned into her patriotism.

"We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world. And on behalf of our children and our grandchildren and all those who sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we must be worthy of this moment," she said.

"It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done," she continued, "guided by optimism and faith to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish, and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American. Together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told."

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Harris, who accepted the vice presidential nomination at the DNC four years ago, was on track to earn the VP nomination once again this year, until Biden exited the race on July 21.

Within one day, Harris had replaced him as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , changing the state of the race only a few weeks ahead of the nominating convention.

Andrew Harnik/Getty

Since becoming the face of her party's White House ticket and selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Harris has seemingly reenergized the Democratic Party, surpassing several of Biden's highest polling numbers in a matter of days and forcing Trump to find a new campaign strategy.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

Harris is the first woman, Black person and Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States. If elected in November, she would become the nation's first female president and first person of Asian descent to lead the nation.

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• 2024 Elections

A Full Transcript of Michelle Obama’s Speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention

F ormer First Lady Michelle Obama took to the Democratic National Convention stage in Chicago on Tuesday night, calling on supporters to “do something” to ensure Kamala Harris wins the November election against Donald Trump.

Read More: ‘Hope Is Making a Comeback’: The Key Moments From Michelle Obama’s 2024 DNC Speech

The following transcript was prepared and provided to TIME by Rev , using AI-powered software, and it was reviewed and edited for accuracy by TIME staff.

Thank you guys. OK. We got a big night ahead. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Hello, Chicago!

Something, something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it? Yeah.

You know, we’re feeling it here in this arena, but it’s spreading all across this country we love. A familiar feeling that’s been buried too deep for far too long. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the contagious power of hope, the anticipation, the energy, the exhilaration of once again being on the cusp of a brighter day. The chance to vanquish the demons of fear, division, and hate that have consumed us and continue pursuing the unfinished promise of this great nation. The dream that our parents and grandparents fought and died and sacrificed for. America, hope is making a comeback.

But, to be honest, I am realizing that until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. And maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings—it’s that deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future. And for me, that mourning has also been mixed with my own personal grief. The last time I was here in my hometown was to memorialize my mother, the woman who showed me the meaning of hard work and humility and decency. The woman who set my moral compass high and showed me the power of my own voice. Folks, I still feel her loss so profoundly. I wasn’t even sure if I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight, but my heart compelled me to be here because of the sense of duty that I feel to honor her memory and to remind us all not to squander the sacrifices our elders made to give us a better future.

You see, my mom in her steady quiet way, lived out that striving sense of hope every single day of her life. She believed that all children, all people have value. That anyone can succeed if given the opportunity. She and my father didn’t aspire to be wealthy—in fact, they were suspicious of folks who took more than they needed. They understood that it wasn’t enough for their kids to thrive if everyone else around us was drowning. So my mother volunteered at the local school. She always looked out for the other kids on the block. She was glad to do the thankless, unglamorous work that, for generations, has strengthened the fabric of this nation. The belief that if you do unto others, if you love thy neighbor, if you work and scrape and sacrifice, it will pay off—if not for you, then maybe for your children or your grandchildren.

You see, those values have been passed on through family farms and factory towns, through tree-lined streets and crowded tenements, through prayer groups and national guard units and social studies classrooms. Those were the values my mother poured into me until her very last breath.

Kamala Harris and I built our lives on those same foundational values. Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country. That’s why her mother moved here from India at 19. It’s why she taught Kamala about justice, about the obligation to lift others up, about our responsibility to give more than we take. She’d often tell her daughter: “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.” 

So, with that voice in her head, Kamala went out and she worked hard in school, graduating from an HBCU, earning her law degree at a state school. And then she went on to work for the people fighting to hold law breakers accountable, strengthening the rule of law, fighting to get folks better wages, cheaper prescription drugs, a good education, decent healthcare, childcare, elder care. From a middle class household, Kamala worked her way up to become Vice President of the United States of America. 

My girl, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency. And she is one of the most dignified—a tribute to her mother, to my mother, and to your mother too. The embodiment of the stories we tell ourselves about this country. Her story is your story. It’s my story. It’s the story of the vast majority of Americans trying to build a better life. 

Look, Kamala knows, like we do, that regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, how you worship, or what’s in your bank account, we all deserve the opportunity to build a decent life. All of our contributions deserve to be accepted and valued. Because no one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American. No one.

Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open to others. She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt the business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. No. We don’t get to change the rules, so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top. No. We put our heads down. We get to work. In America, we do something. 

( Crowd chants: “Do something!” )

And throughout her entire life, that’s what we’ve seen from Kamala Harris, the steel of her spine, the steadiness of her upbringing, the honesty of her example, and yes, the joy of her laughter and her light. 

It couldn’t be more obvious: Of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great. 

Now, unfortunately, we know what comes next. We know folks are going to do everything they can to distort her truth. My husband and I, sadly, know a little something about this. For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.

Wait, I want to know: Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those “Black jobs”?

Look, it’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better. Look, because cutting our healthcare, taking away our freedom to control our bodies, the freedom to become a mother through IVF like I did—those things are not going to improve the health outcomes of our wives, mothers, and daughters. Shutting down the Department of Education, banning our books—none of that will prepare our kids for the future. Demonizing our children for being who they are and loving who they love—look, that doesn’t make anybody’s life better.

Instead, it only makes us small. And let me tell you this: Going small is never the answer. Going small is the opposite of what we teach our kids. Going small is petty, it’s unhealthy, and quite frankly, it’s unpresidential. 

So, why would any of us accept this from anyone seeking our highest office? Why would we normalize that type of backward leadership? Doing so only demeans and cheapens our politics. It only serves to further discourage good, big-hearted people from wanting to get involved at all. America, our parents taught us better than that, and we deserve so much better than that.

That’s why we must do everything in our power to elect two of those good, big-hearted people. There is no other choice than Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. No other choice.

But, as we embrace this renewed sense of hope, let us not forget the despair we have felt. Let us not forget what we are up against. Yes, Kamala and Tim are doing great now. We’re loving it. They’re packing arenas across the country. Folks are energized. We are feeling good. But, remember there are still so many people who are desperate for a different outcome, who are ready to question and criticize every move Kamala makes, who are eager to spread those lies, who don’t want to vote for a woman, who will continue to prioritize building their wealth over ensuring that everyone has enough. 

So no matter how good we feel tonight or tomorrow or the next day, this is going to be an uphill battle. So folks, we cannot be our own worst enemies. No. See, because the minute something goes wrong, the minute a lie takes hold, folks, we cannot start wringing our hands. We cannot get a Goldilocks complex about whether everything is just right. And we cannot indulge our anxieties about whether this country will elect someone like Kamala instead of doing everything we can to get someone like Kamala elected. 

Kamala and Tim, they have lived amazing lives and I am confident that they will lead with compassion, inclusion, and grace. But they are still only human. They are not perfect. And like all of us, they will make mistakes. But luckily y’all, this is not just on them. No, uh-uh. This is up to us, all of us, to be the solution that we seek. It’s up to all of us to be the antidote to the darkness and division. Look, I don’t care how you identify politically—whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or none of the above. This is our time to stand up for what we know in our hearts is right. To stand up, not just for our basic freedoms but for decency and humanity; for basic respect, dignity, and empathy; for the values at the very foundation of this democracy. 

It’s up to us to remember what Kamala’s mother told her: “Don’t just sit around and complain. Do something.” So if they lie about her—and they will—we’ve got to do something. If we see a bad poll—and we will—we’ve got to put down that phone and do something. If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we gotta pick ourselves up, throw water on our face, and what? 

We only have two and a half months, y’all, to get this done. Only 11 weeks to make sure every single person we know is registered and has a voting plan. So we cannot afford for anyone, anyone, anyone, America, to sit on their hands and wait to be called. Don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to you to ask you for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness. You know what you need to do.

So, consider this to be your official ask: Michelle Obama is asking you—no, I’m telling y’all—to do something. 

Because, y’all, this election is gonna be close. In some states, just a handful—listen to me—a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner. So we need to vote in numbers that erase any doubt. We need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us. Our fate is in our hands. In 77 days, we have the power to turn our country away from the fear, division, and smallness of the past. We have the power to marry our hope with our action. We have the power to pay forward the love, sweat, and sacrifice of our mothers and fathers and all those who came before us. 

We did it before, y’all, and we sure can do it again. Let us work like our lives depend on it, and let us keep moving our country forward and go higher—yes, always higher—than we’ve ever gone before, as we elect the next President and Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. 

Thank you all. God bless. 

Now, before I go, I have one more job tonight. Yeah, one more job. You all, thank you for all the love, but it is now my honor to introduce somebody who knows a whole lot about hope, someone who has spent his life strengthening our democracy—and let me tell you, as someone who lives with him, he wakes up every day, every day, and thinks about what’s best for this country. Please welcome America’s 44th President and the love of my life, Barack Obama.

Read More: ‘Yes, She Can’: A Breakdown of Barack Obama’s 2024 DNC Speech in Support of Kamala Harris

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Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech

The vice president’s remarks lasted roughly 35 minutes on the final night of the convention in Chicago.

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By The New York Times

• Aug. 23, 2024

This is a transcript of Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on Thursday night in which she formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency.

OK, let’s get to business. Let’s get to business. All right.

So, let me start by thanking my most incredible husband, Doug. For being an incredible partner to me, an incredible father to Cole and Ella, and happy anniversary, Dougie. I love you so very much.

To our president, Joe Biden. When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I love you and Jill, and are forever thankful to you both.

And to Coach Tim Walz. You are going to be an incredible vice president. And to the delegates and everyone who has put your faith in our campaign, your support is humbling.

So, America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys. So, my mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. And I miss her every day, and especially right now. And I know she’s looking down smiling. I know that.

So, my mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.

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Democratic convention as it happened: 'Let's write the next great chapter' - Harris attacks Trump as she sells her vision of America

Kamala Harris delivered a keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention as she formally accepted her party's nomination, trying to put clear water between herself and Donald Trump. Follow below to see how the night unfolded.

Friday 23 August 2024 09:45, UK

• Kamala Harris

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• What happened at the Democratic National Convention finale
• Harris sells 'next great chapter' - and warns against Trump 'without guardrails '
• Martha Kelner analysis:  Five key takeaways from Harris's historic speech
• Trump takes aim at 'Comrade Kamala' as she delivers keynote speech
• 'Kamala has been black a lot longer than Trump's been a Republican'
• Trump 'too busy sucking up to dictators', says senator 
• Reporting by  Jess Sharp  

Over the last four days, we've heard Democrats, celebrities and Republicans take the DNC stage to urge voters to pick Kamala Harris as their next president - and warn of the consequences a second Donald Trump term could have. 

On the final night of the convention, we've been bringing you all the latest updates, which you can read by scrolling through this blog.

If you'd prefer a quick recap, here are the key moments you might have missed...

'Let's write the next great chapter' - Harris attacks Trump as she sells vision of future America

Crowds filled the United Center in Chicago to hear from Kamala Harris as she formally accepted her party's nomination and set out her plans for America's future. 

She used to her speech to tell American's that they have a chance to chart a "new way forward" in November. 

"With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past," she said in a 40-minute speech.

She closed the convention by summoning voters to reject political divisions and warning of consequences posed by a win for Mr Trump. 

"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," she said.

"I promise to be a president for all Americans to hold sacred America's constitutional principles, fundamental principles, from the rule of law and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power."

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She attacked Mr Trump, calling him an "unserious man".

"The consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious," she warned. 

"This election is not only the most important of our lives. It is one of the most important in the life of our nation.

Describing America as "the greatest democracy in the history of the world", Ms Harris rounded off her speech by calling on voters to "fight for the ideals we cherish".

"It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done," she said. "Guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love.

"Let's get out there, let's fight for it, let's get out there, let's vote for it, and together let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told."

You can read the five key takeaways from her speech in the post below... 

Trump is 'too weak to accept defeat'

She wasn't the only one to speak, though. We also heard from Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

Ms Warren used her speech to call Mr Trump a "felon" and warn voters that he couldn't be trusted. 

"Trust Donald Trump and JD Vance to look out for your family? I wouldn't trust them to move my couch," she said. 

In a similar feeling, Mr Kinzinger called Mr Trump "too weak to accept defeat". 

He said he was speaking at the Democratic convention because "we must put country first" and called on other Republicans to vote for Ms Harris.

"Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democracy," he said.

As Ms Whitmer took the stage, she introduced as "Big Gretch" before urging people to back "badass" Harris. 

She also took aim at Mr Trump, saying: "You think he's ever had to take items out of the cart before checking out? Hell, you think he's ever been to a grocery store?"

Speculation about an appearance by Beyonce or Taylor Swift proved unfounded, but celebrity performances came from Pink and The Chicks, while actress Eva Longoria kicked off the final part of the evening.

By Martha Kelner , US correspondent

Well, the 2024 Democratic National Convention has come to an end, with Kamala Harris shutting down the show with a keynote speech that set out her vision for America. 

Here are five key takeaways from her address:

1) History maker 

This was the night that Kamala Harris made history as the first woman of colour from either party to become a presidential nominee.

Many of the delegates wore white in honour of the suffragette movement on the night the woman who could become America's first female president spoke.

But Ms Harris didn't wear white, perhaps because she doesn't want to dwell on the history-making nature of her candidacy.

But it is worth pausing to recall that three of the key speeches of the convention came from black women - Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama and now Ms Harris. 

"Kamala Harris for the People" was the campaign slogan for her ultimately unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid, and she repeated it again tonight.

Ms Harris says she is the candidate of unity, focusing on the idea that she is fighting for the ordinary person - talking about her working class roots and working at McDonald's - while framing Donald Trump as an elite whose economic policy is designed to look after his billionaire mates. 

3) Personal story

Even though she has been in the White House for four years, in vast parts of the United States people are not intimately familiar with her story.

Her speech began by recapping the journey her mother Shyamala took from India to California aged 19, before meeting her Jamaican father. 

She spoke about their struggles to afford a house in the San Francisco Bay Area, and how her passion to become a prosecutor was fired up by witnessing injustice in her own life. 

4) How she plans to bring the fight to Trump

The campaign theme of belittling Mr Trump continued.

Ms Harris's running mate Tim Walz coined the phrase "weird" to describe the former president and his running mate JD Vance. 

In her speech, Ms Harris described Mr Trump as an "unserious" man, although she did go on to give grave warnings about what a second Trump presidency would mean.

"Consider his explicit intent to set free violent extremists," she said. 

"His explicit intent to jail journalists, political opponents, and anyone he sees as the enemy."

5) Policy 

The Harris campaign has been derided for being heavy on the vibes and light on the policy detail.

While we didn't hear a lot new in terms of explicit policy detail in this speech, she gave a window into what a Harris presidency would look like.

There were sections in her speech on housing, reproductive rights and on Israel and Gaza.

Wavering voters now have more of an idea of what kind of president she would be.

Kamala Harris has said she is feeling "great" after delivering one of the biggest speeches of her life at the Democratic convention. 

Speaking to our US partner network NBC News, she said she was now looking ahead to the next stage of her campaign.

"I feel good," she said. "Now on to tomorrow."

Asked about the speech, she said: "It felt great. It felt good."

"We've got 75 days to go, so maybe for better and for worse, that's the way I am. Like, that was good, now we gotta move on," she added. 

To end the Democratic National Convention and celebrate Kamala Harris, 100,000 balloons were dropped inside the United Centre. 

All the balloons were blown up by 75 dedicated volunteers, 30 skilled staff members and a dozen or so stagehands.

A convention official noted that a special process developed to inflate so many balloons in 1988 and that all the balloons are inflated at the convention centre.

Here are some photos of the moment they filled the DNC...

While Kamala Harris was delivering her keynote speech and setting out her vision for America, Donald Trump was posting on Truth Social. 

The former president had vowed to give a "live play-by-play" of his rival's address, and has hurled out several insults in the process. 

He claims Ms Harris has spent her time as vice president to Joe Biden doing "nothing but harm" as she told the DNC that it was time to "chart a new way forward". 

As she started talking about the plans for the border, Mr Trump said: "The border bill is one of the worst ever written, would have allowed millions of people into our country, and it's only a political ploy by her.

"It legalises illegal immigration and is a total disaster, weak and ineffective." 

Ms Harris said she would bring back the bipartisan border security bill that was "killed" by Mr Trump and she would sign it into law.

"I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system," she added.

Mr Trump told his followers she did not mention China, fracking, the war in Ukraine or energy in her speech - but this isn't entirely true. 

"She didn't mention the big subjects of the day, that are destroying our country," he said. 

"There will be no future under Comrade Kamala Harris, because she will take us into a nuclear World War Three. She will never be respected by the tyrants of the world," he added. 

Ms Harris did mention China, in passing, saying: "I will make sure that we lead the world into the future on space and artificial intelligence, that America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century." 

She also spoke about the war in Ukraine, saying she would "stand strong with Ukraine" and the NATO military alliance. 

Fracking or any specific ideas on energy were not mentioned. 

After finishing her speech to the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris is joined on stage by her husband, Doug Emhoff. 

He is closely followed by vice presidential nominee, Minnesota governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen. 

All four of them held hands and raised their arms in the air. 

Kamala Harris has arrived on the Democratic National Convention stage to formally accept her party's nomination. 

The Democrats' presidential candidate walks out to her campaign track, Freedom by Beyonce, as the crowd gives her a standing ovation. 

She attempts to quieten the crowds. "We've got to get to some business," she says, but the cheers continue. 

Biden's 'character is inspiring'

Ms Harris, who currently serves as the vice president, starts by thanking Joe Biden, saying he has an "extraordinary" history. 

"Your character is inspiring," she adds. "When I think about the path that we have travelled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude." 

She also mentions her running mate Tim Walz, saying he is going to be an "incredible vice president". 

'My mother taught me never to complain about injustice - but to do something about it'

Reflecting on her background, she says her mother was 19 years old when she travelled from India to California with a dream of curing breast cancer.

"My early memories of our parents together are very joyful ones," she says. 

"At the park, my mother would say 'stay close' but my father would say as he smiled 'run Kamala run, don't be afraid, don't let anything stop you'," she adds. 

Talking about her parents' eventual divorce, she says her mother worked long hours and "leaned on a trusted circle" to help raise her and her sister Maya.

She says it was her family who instilled in her the values of community, faith and treating others how she would like to be treated.

She says her mother taught her to "never complain about injustice, but to do something about it". 

"She also taught us never to do anything half-assed," she adds, laughing as she tells the crowd: "That's an exact quote". 

'I became a prosecutor to protect people like Wanda'

She moves on to her career next, explaining she was inspired to become a prosecutor after her friend, Wanda, confided in her that she was being sexually abused.

"This is one of the reasons I became a prosecutor. To protect people like Wanda," Ms Harris says. 

"I believe everyone has the right to safety, to dignity and to justice." 

She adds that throughout her career she has "only had one client - the people". 

Harris vows to be a 'president for all Americans'

"On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America," she says, sending the crowd into a frenzy of chanting and cheering. 

Ms Harris tells the audience the US has a "precious, fleeting opportunity" to "chart a new way forward". 

"I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always trust me to put country above party and self," she declares. 

"I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations. A president who leads and listens, who is realistic, practical and has common sense and always fights for the American people.

"From the courthouse, to the White House, that has been my life's work." 

'A fight for America's future'

As she continues to set out her vision for the US, she says the country is in a fight for its future right now.

"We were underestimated at every turn, but we never gave up because the future is always worth fighting for," Ms Harris says. 

"And that's the fight we are in right now. A fight for America's future." 

She adds that the November election is "one of the most important in the life of our nation". 

Trump is an 'unserious man' - but his return could have 'extremely serious' consequences 

Taking aim at Donald Trump, she warns that despite him being an "unserious man", his return to the White House would lead to "extremely serious" consequences. 

Ms Harris asks the crowd to recall his last presidential term, telling them to "consider not only the chaos and calamity when he was in office, but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election".

"Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes," she adds. 

"When he failed, he sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol, where they assaulted law enforcement officers." 

She mentions his recent fraud charges, which saw him become the first former US president to be criminally convicted, and says he has plans to "set free the violent extremists" involved in the January 6 attacks. 

"Consider the power he will have, especially after the United States Supreme Court just ruled he would be immune from criminal prosecution," Ms Harris says. 

"Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails." 

'America, we are not going back'

She adds that he will use his power to "serve the only client he has ever had - himself". 

She points to Project 2025 as an example of what a second Trump term will look like. 

The project has been billed as a policy "wish list" for the next Republican administration, and features plans to expand presidential powers and create an ultra-conservative US. 

"Written by his closest advisors, and its sum total is to pull our country back into the past. But America, we are not going back," she adds. 

What about her policies? 

So far, we haven't heard many policy ideas from Ms Harris, but she turns now to set out her plans to build a "strong middle class". 

She says she will create an "opportunity economy" where everyone has the "chance to compete and to succeed". 

"Building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency. This is personal for me. The middle class is where I come from," she says. 

She adds that she will create jobs , grow the economy , and lower the costs of "everyday needs" . 

She will also end America's housing shortage, protect affordable health care, and provide access to capital for small business owners . 

In comparison, Ms Harris says Mr Trump will fight "for himself and his billionaire friends". 

On reproductive rights , which has been a hot issue at this election, she says she will sign a bill into law to "restore reproductive freedom". 

On border controls , she says she will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that was "killed" by Mr Trump and she will sign it into law.

"I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system," Ms Harris adds. 

Speaking about the war in Ukraine , she says Mr Trump "encouraged Putin to invade our allies" and "threatened to abandon NATO". 

She says she will "stand strong with Ukraine" and the military alliance. 

Keeping on the topic of conflict, Ms Harris also says she is "working around the clock" to get a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza . 

"I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself," she says. 

"At the same time, 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 heart-breaking." 

'Let's write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told'

As she starts wrapping up her remarks, Ms Harris says she loves America with all her heart. 

"Everywhere I go, in everyone I meet, I see a nation ready to move forward," she tells the crowd.

"We are the heirs of the greatest democracy in the history of the world. 

"It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done."

She says people need to fight for the country they love, and uphold the "awesome responsibility" that comes with the "privilege and pride of being an American". 

"Let's get out there and let's vote for it, and together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told." 

It's not long now until we'll hear from Kamala Harris - but before we do, her sister comes to the DNC stage. 

Maya Harris says Americans are living in a time when "some are trying to divide us". 

"My sister rejects that view," she says. 

She says the presidential candidate knows "what it's like to be an underdog" and she has created "so much electricity, so much optimism and so much joy" across the nation. 

"Where others push darkness, Kamala sees promise. Where others feel detachment, Kamala fosters connection," she adds. 

"Where others want to drag us back to the past, my sister says, 'Hold up now. We are not going back.'"

Former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger is addressing the DNC. 

He has chosen to endorse Kamala Harris and tells the convention he is "proud to be in the trenches" with them. 

"I want to let my fellow Republicans in on a secret - the Democrats are just as patriotic as us," he says. 

Taking a dig at Donald Trump, he describes him as a "weak man who is pretending to be strong". 

"He's a small man pretending to be big. He's a faithless man pretending to be righteous. He's a perpetrator who can't stop playing the victim," he adds. 

He says Mr Trump has "suffocated the soul" of the Republican Party. 

Mr Kinzinger was one of two Republicans who served on the select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots. 

He also voted for Mr Trump's impeachment over his role in the attack. 

Talking about the attack, he says Mr Trump's "deceit and dishonour" was the cause. 

"How can a party claim to be patriotic if it idolises a man who tried to overthrow a free and fair election?" he asks.

Another person who was being considered as Kamala Harris's running mate was Gretchen Whitmer, and now the Michigan governor is delivering her DNC speech. 

She introduces herself, saying she is known as "Big Gretch" in Detroit and referred to as "that woman from Michigan" by Donald Trump. 

'Has Trump ever been to a grocery store?'

She explains how she was part of the "sandwich generation", working, caring for her newborn and looking after her mum who had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

"It was hard but it was not extraordinary. It's life," she says, adding that Kamala Harris also cared for her sick mother. 

"As president, she'll fight to lower the cost of health care and elder care for every family. She's lived a life like ours. She knows us."

Taking aim at Donald Trump, she tells the crowd that he doesn't know them at all. 

"You think he's ever had to take items out of the cart before checking out? Hell, you think he's ever been to a grocery store?" she asks.

Harris is a 'badass'

She says Ms Harris "sees us" and "gets us". 

"We don't know what the next four years will bring but what we do know is that through it all your life won't stop," she adds. 

"One day... something's hit the fan and you'll ask, is my family okay? And then you'll ask who the hell is in charge?

"What if it is him? What if it's that man from Mar-a-Lago?" she asks, referring to Mr Trump. 

Ms Whitmer then urges the crowd to vote for Ms Harris, saying she is "tough" and a "badass". 

"America, let's choose Kamala Harris," she concludes. 

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Oprah Winfrey's speech at DNC: ‘Who says you can’t go home again?’

Full text of winfrey’s convention address to delegates at united center..

Oprah Winfrey speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at the United Center

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Full prepared remarks of Oprah Winfrey on Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention.

Good evening, everybody! Who says you can’t go home again?

After watching the Obamas last night, that was some epic fire, was it not? We are so fired up, we cannot wait to leave here and do something! And what we are going to do is select Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States!

I am so honored to have been asked to speak on tonight’s theme about what matters the most to me, to you, and all of us Americans. Freedom.

There are people who want you to see our country as a nation of us against them. People who want to scare you. Who want to rule you. People who would have you believe that books are dangerous. And assault rifles are safe.

That that there was a right way to worship and a wrong way to love. People who seek first to divide, and then to conquer. But here is the thing. When we stand together, it is impossible to conquer us.

In the words of an extraordinary American, the late Congressman John Lewis, no matter what ship our ancestors arrived on, we are all in the same boat now.

He knew very well how far this country has come because he was one of the brilliant Americans who helped get us to where we are. But he also knew that the work is not done. The work will never be done, because freedom is not free.

America is an ongoing project. It requires commitment, it requires being open to the hard work and to the heart work of democracy.

And every now and then, it requires standing up to life’s bullies. I know this. I have lived in Mississippi. In Tennessee. In Wisconsin. Maryland. Indiana. Florida. Hawaii. Colorado. California. And sweet home Chicago, Illinois!

I have actually traveled this country from the redwood forests to the gulf stream waters. I have seen racism and sexism and income inequality and division.

I have not only seen it, at times, I have been on the receiving end of it. But more often than not, what I have witnessed and experienced are human beings, both conservative and liberal, who may not agree with each other, but who still will help you in a heartbeat if you are in trouble.

These are the people who make me proud to say that I am an American. They are the best of America. And despite what some would have you think, we are not so different from our neighbors.

When a house is on fire, we do not ask about the homeowners race or religion. We do not wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No. We just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady — we tried to get the cat out, too. Because we are a country of people who work hard for the money.

We wish our brothers and sisters well and we pray for peace. We know all the old tricks and tropes designed to distract us from what actually matters.

But we on — we are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery. These are complicated times, people, and they require adult conversation.

And I welcome those conversations, because civilized debate is vital to democracy, and it is the best of America.

Now over the last couple of nights, we have all seen brave people walk onto the stage and share their most private pain. Amanda, Josh, Caitlin, and Hadley, told us their stories of rape and incest. The near death experiences from having the state deny them the abortion their doctor explained was medically necessary.

And they told us these things for one reason, and that is to keep what happened to them from happening to anybody else because if you do not have autonomy over this, if you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream.

The women and men who are battling to keep us from going back to a time of desperation and shame and stone cold fear, they are the new freedom fighters. And make no mistake, they are the best of America.

I want to talk now about somebody who is not with us tonight. Tessie Prevost Williams was born in New Orleans not long after the Supreme Court ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. That was in 1954, same year I was born.

But I did not have to head to first grade with a U. S. Marshal by my side at an all-white school. When I go to school, the building was not empty like it was for Tessie.

Rather than allowing the daughter to be integrated, parents pulled their kids out of the school, leaving only Tessie and two other little black girls, Gail and Leona, to sit in a classroom with the windows papered over to block snipers from attacking their six-year-old bodies.

Tessie passed away six weeks ago. And I tell this story to honor her tonight. Because she — like Ruby Bridges and her friends Leona and Gail, the New Orleans Four, as they were called, broke barriers and paid dearly for it.

But it was the great courage of women like Tessie that paved the way for another young girl, who, nine years later, became part of the second class to integrate in public schools in Berkeley, California.

And it seems to me that at school and at home, somebody did a beautiful job of showing this young girl how to challenge the people at the top and empower the people at the bottom.

They showed her how to look at the world and see not just what is, but what can be. They instilled in her a passion for justice and freedom and the glorious fighting spirit necessary to pursue that passion.

And very soon, very soon we are going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, two idealistic and energetic immigrants, — how this child grew up to become the 47th president of the United States! That is the best of America!

Let me tell you this. This election is not about us and them. It is about you and me.

And what we want our futures to look like. There are choices to be made when we cast our ballot. Now there is a certain candidate that says we only have to go to the polls just one time and then we will never have to do it again.

You know what? You are looking at a registered independent who is proud to vote again and again and again because I am an American and that is what Americans do.

Voting is the best of America. And I have always, since I was eligible to vote, I have always voted by values. And that is what is needed in this election, now more than ever.

So I am calling on all you independents and all you undecideds. You know this is true. You know I am telling you the truth. That values and character matter most of all. In leadership and in life.

And more than anything, you know this is true, that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.

And just plain common sense. Common sense tells you that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can give us decency and respect. They are the ones to give it to us.

So. We are Americans. Let us choose loyalty to the constitution over loyalty to any individual. Because that is the best of America. And let us choose optimism over cynicism. Because that is the best of America. And let us choose inclusion over retribution, common sense over nonsense. Because that is the best of America!

And let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday. We will not go back. We won’t be sent back, pushed back, kicked back, we are not going back.

Let us choose truth. Let us choose honor. Let us choose jooooooooooooy! Because that is the best of America!

But more than anything else, let us choose freedom. Why? Because that is the best of America!

We are all Americans, and together, let us all choose Kamalaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaarris! Thank you, Chicago!

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Kamala Harris and her fellow Democrats used ancient Greek rhetorical tricks to keep their audiences spellbound

Professor of Modern History, University of Exeter

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The Democratic Party has had a good week. I’ll start that again – the Democratic Party has had an amazingly good week.

Not so long ago, the Democrats seemed down, if not actually out. Now, they’re not merely pulling ahead in the polls – they seem to have recaptured that vital but elusive thing: hope.

Those inside the hall in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention were treated to a series of impressive and moving speeches from, among others, Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Tim Walz and – yes – Joe Biden. The man so recently written off by many as a doddering geriatric was the star on the first night, as he passed on the flame to his vice-president, Kamala Harris.

The secret to these rhetorical triumphs lies in three words with origins in ancient Greece: ethos , pathos and logos . The meanings are simple but crucial to successful oratory – as the famed Greek philosopher Aristotle first pointed out in The Art Of Rhetoric .

As deployed by Aristotle, ethos refers to character – both the moral character of the speaker and, as we develop the idea further, the aspersions cast on the character of his or her opponent.

We saw this in the homely presentation of vice-presidential candidate “Coach” Walz, who presented himself as a father, a neighbour, and the giver of pre-match pep talks. And we saw it in Michelle Obama’s attacks on Donald Trump, whom she portrayed as a purveyor of misogynistic, racist lies. She argued that Trump’s narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be black. She at once exposed Trump’s character while building up her and her husband’s success – without appearing too boastful.

Pathos signifies emotion – anything that makes your audience feel good about themselves or generates negative emotions about people outside the group. Pete Buttigieg, the transport secretary, demonstrated mastery of this technique when he attacked Trump’s deputy, J.D. Vance , for suggesting that political leaders without children (such as Harris) lack a physical stake in the country’s future.

Buttigieg, a former naval officer, pointed out that when he deployed to Afghanistan, he didn’t have kids. “Some of the men and women who went outside the wire with me did not have kids,” he continued, “but let me tell you, our commitment to the future of this country was nothing if not physical.”

This was a powerful way of generating feelings of patriotism, and linking them to personal sacrifice.

Last but not least is logos , which signifies reason . This doesn’t necessarily mean arguments that are well-founded in logic, but rather an appeal to a sense of fact-based argumentation. Here, Bill Clinton won the prize, showing (as he has so often done before) that figures and statistics don’t have to be dry.

Quoting US employment numbers, Clinton quipped that he had to check them three times. Since the end of the cold war in 1989, he said, the US has created about 51 million new jobs: “Even I couldn’t believe it. What’s the score? Democrats: 50, Republicans: one.”

This statistic is indeed correct – even if it would have benefitted from more context to explain what at first sight look like improbable numbers.

American dream

In all, it’s been a series of remarkable performances – and I haven’t even mentioned Oprah Winfrey, Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker, or the presidential nominee herself.

Presenting herself as “no stranger to unlikely journeys”, Harris said her path from being the daughter of immigrant students to becoming vice-president was a tale that “could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth”. It was a classic example of linking plucky underdog personal storytelling to the broader narrative of American exceptionalism.

Collectively, the convention speakers, while making it look effortless, succeeded in achieving a very difficult balance – that is, the balance between hope and fear.

For a long time, Democrats have, with justification, focused on the threat that Trump poses to the future of democracy. Yet, as the experience of the Remain side in the 2016 Brexit referendum showed, a rational case highlighting the dangers posed by the other side is not in itself enough to mobilise popular enthusiasm. It has to be matched with optimism and a credible-sounding plan to build a better future for the country.

Democrats haven’t given up on warning about Trump, but they are doing this more effectively than before, by labelling him as “weird”. At the same time, they are offering a positive message of progress, as well as appearing energised and, frankly, a lot more fun to be with than the increasingly dark-seeming GOP.

However, it shouldn’t be imagined that the political party’s fortunes can be transformed merely by skilful manipulation of some classical rhetorical terms. The Democrats wouldn’t be in their current happy situation were it not for Biden’s bold, if belated, decision not to run for a second term.

So, if Harris wins in November, she may have reason to credit another ancient Greek concept: kairos . This is the thing that every politician wants to arrive for them, and then to exploit – it means “the opportune moment”.

• Barack Obama
• US politics
• Democratic Party
• Bill Clinton
• Donald Trump
• Michelle Obama
• Kamala Harris
• Democratic national convention
• US election 2024

Head of Evidence to Action

Supply Chain - Assistant/Associate Professor (Tenure-Track)

Education Research Fellow

OzGrav Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Casual Facilitator: GERRIC Student Programs - Arts, Design and Architecture