Additional Coverage:
- Column: Kamala Harris doesn’t need to say her presidency would be historic. She shows it (newsbreak.com)
At the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris, along with vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and a host of others, vividly demonstrated the power of “show, don’t tell,” a principle familiar to anyone from journalists to politicians to business professionals giving presentations.
Over the course of the convention, Harris accepted her nomination without directly highlighting the groundbreaking aspects of her candidacy—her potential to be the first female president, as well as the first Black woman and first person of Indian and Jamaican descent to hold the office, not to mention the first Democratic president from California.
Harris chose not to dwell on such milestones or discuss the challenges of breaking the glass ceiling. Instead, she let the composition of the convention speak volumes. Through a diverse array of speakers, the event showcased a broad spectrum of Americans, all underscoring the notion that diversity is quintessentially American, not a threat to the nation’s identity.
The theme of family was also a strong undercurrent throughout the event, highlighted not just by Harris but by figures like Michelle and Barack Obama, and Doug Emhoff, Harris’s husband, who affectionately spoke about Harris’s role as “Momala” in their blended family. Personal stories from various speakers addressed the harsh realities of gun violence and restricted reproductive rights affecting families across the country.
Additionally, the convention emphasized patriotism, showcased by a wealth of American flags and speeches from veterans. Harris and her party aimed to reclaim patriotic sentiment from nationalistic and divisive rhetoric, promoting an inclusive vision of America. They celebrated various faiths while also respecting the choice of non-religion, aligning with the principles of church-state separation.
Harris reiterated her commitment to bipartisan cooperation and showcased it by featuring numerous Republicans at the convention, a strategic choice aimed at uniting voters across party lines despite potential internal criticisms.
Overall, Harris and the Democratic party at the convention demonstrated their principles not just through words, but through definitive action and representation, embodying her belief that it’s crucial not just to talk the talk, but to walk the walk.