Kamala Is A Masterful Orator

The promise of America

Kamala Harris’ speech last night, her “Closing Argument,” was magnificent. I was transfixed by her words and her empathic performance.

In front of over 60,000 people on the Ellipse in Washington DC, where, less than four years earlier, Trump had sent a violent crowd to stop the certification of votes at the Capitol on January 6th, Harris told the story of America and the promise of the most wonderful idea ever created.

She went after Trump with sharp words, comparing him to King George, whom we “rested freedom from a petty tyrant. Across the generations, Americans have preserved that freedom, expanded on it and proved to the world that a government of the people, by and for the people is strong and can endure. And those who came before us, the did not struggle, sacrifice and lay down their lives only to see us cede our fundamental freedom to the will of another petty tyrant.”

“So America, in seven days, we have the power to turn the page and start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.”

She provided a stark contrast between herself, a unifier, and Trump, a divider. But Harris also went into specifics of her policies and how she would govern.

She opened her arms to those who disagree with, saying she would give them “a seat at the table.” Harris said she will always tell us the truth, even if it was difficult news to hear. She spoke of the beauty of American promise, and how she sees it in those she meets. Her mother was a huge influence on her life, as an immigrant who worked her way up from the middle class. Harris repeatedly said that she knows the promise of America “because I’ve lived it.”

“I see the promise of America.”

She said she would not be a perfect president. She said she would govern with unity in mind, based on what she said was a “lifelong instinct to protect” people who had been abused or victimized.

“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.”

Here is a new ad created based on her remarks last night:

https://x.com/AdamParkhomenko/status/1851707438120218793

The crowd was captivated as they held signs that said “USA” and stood in front of signs that said FREEDOM. No Harris/Walz signs: she was trying to bring us together.

There are many kinds of oratorical styles, and our country tends to praise men for their oratorical gifts. I recall during Obama’s first run for President, we first learned of his wonderful way of delivering a speech; Hillary’s style was compared to his. Not a fair comparison because they are so different. I thought Hillary was great, in her own way. I hope we shift our understanding of what makes a good speaker and heap lots of praise on Kamala, even though she is on par with Obama in style and eloquence. On a small scale, I have done a fair amount of public speaking, and I know how incredibly difficult it is to read the words, act the words, slow down and speed up, and connect with the audience in-person and on the screen. I don’t do it. She did a masterful job last night; Harris showed us her toughness and compassion. I watched her closely when she repeated something because the moment called for it, when she smiled and when she did not smile. Her phrasing and cadence were masterful. Whoever wrote the speech—maybe it was her— did a perfect job.

As long as she wins and continues to connect with people, it doesn’t really matter if her style of speaking is applauded. I can imagine it might have put her over the top in many undecided voter’s minds. It certainly gave me chills.

I think these last two days may have broken through. Trump is trying to disown the comments made at his NYC rally, but it may be too late. He has his base, they will never leave him. But many who once supported Trump will not do so this time. That’s my hope.

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In other news: The US Supreme Court sided with Republicans and allowed the state of Virginia to purge possibly illegal voters for now. That means they can cull around 1600 votes a week before the election. Virginia appealed to the Supreme Court this week, asking it to temporarily reinstate the program.

And I thought you might like to know: jaywalking is now legal in NYC. Like all New Yorkers, I thought it already was. A cop once stopped me for jaywalking in Santa Monica, CA. He asked where I was from, I said “New York.” He smiled and said, well we don’t jaywalk here. He let me go.

I’m gonna wear my chucks and jaywalk to the polls!

Happy Wednesday! See you tomorrow.