7 Lessons from Kamala Harris’ Ellipse Speech to ‘Turn the Page’ on Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a crowd of more than 75,000 people Washington, DCTuesday at the Ellipse, with the White House and Washington Monument as a backdrop. Just a week before Election Day, she stood on the same turf as the former president Donald Trump had rallied supporters before the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, asking Americans to embrace a future of unity and inclusivity. Harris’ speech was a powerful reclamation of a space marked by division, calling on Americans to “turn the page” on an era she described as tumultuous and divisive.

Recovering the ellipse from the January 6 shadow

Standing at the Ellipse, where Trump once addressed his supporters before the attack on the Capitol, Harris spoke with purpose, transforming a space associated with division into a platform for hope and unity. Standing between signs reading “Freedom” and “USA” and bathed in a sea of ​​American flags, she called on Americans to put aside political differences and “stop pointing fingers and closing arms ‘, casting herself as a unifying force who would lead with empathy. Invoke E Pluribus Unum – Latin for ‘out of many, one’ – Harris described this motto as ‘a living truth about the heart of our democracy’.

A firm commitment to the restoration of reproductive rights

Reproductive rights were central to Harris’ message as she vowed to restore protections rolled back by the US The US Supreme Court decides to destroy Roe v. Wade. “The government shouldn’t be telling her what to do with her body,” Harris declared, describing restrictive laws on access to abortion and IVF as “immoral.” She assured the crowd that she would sign federal legislation protecting reproductive rights if Congress passed it. “If Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom across the country, as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” Harris said.

Economic policies targeted working- and middle-class Americans

Focusing on easing economic burdens, Harris promised relief for working- and middle-class families facing rising costs. She outlined plans to cap insulin prices, cap out-of-pocket prescription costs and implement a federal ban on supermarket price gouging. “I will deliver tax cuts for working people and the middle class,” she assured the crowd, contrasting her approach with Trump’s proposed tariffs, which Harris called a 20 percent tax on imported goods, arguing they would raise the price of daily necessities would increase. Harris’ economic message focused on making life affordable for families feeling the impact of rising costs.

Celebrating America’s civil rights legacy, from Normandy to Stonewall

In one of the most moving moments of her speech, Harris paid tribute to America’s legacy of civil rights struggle, tying her campaign to key milestones.

“Nearly 250 years ago, America was born when we wrested freedom from a petty tyrant,” she said. Harris honored the generations who preserved and expanded freedom, “proving to the world that a government by and for the people is strong and can endure.” She continued, “Those who came before us, the patriots in Normandy and Selma, Seneca Falls and Stone wallon farmland and factory floors, did not struggle, sacrifice and give their lives to see us give up our basic freedoms. They didn’t do that just to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant.”

Pledge to strengthen U.S. alliances and global leadership

Harris pledged to strengthen America’s global position by strengthening alliances with democratic countries and positioning her foreign policy as one of respect and cooperation. “Our alliances keep the American people safe and make America stronger,” she said, contrasting her approach with what she described as Trump’s susceptibility to authoritarian manipulation. She emphasized that the United States would remain “a champion of freedom” and stand firm against the influence of autocratic leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Addressing housing affordability and supporting homeownership

In her focus on housing, Harris outlined a plan to make homeownership more accessible to families struggling with rising costs. She promised down payment assistance for first-time buyers, rent stabilization measures and partnerships with the private sector to speed the construction of affordable housing. “Homeownership is about more than just financial security,” she says. “It’s about the pride of hard work.”

A promise to bridge divisions and lead with optimism

During her speech, Harris outlined a leadership style that she said focused on finding common ground and serving Americans of all backgrounds. America, we know what Donald Trump has in mind: more chaos, more division, and policies that help those at the top and hurt everyone else. I offer a different path, and I ask for your voice,” she said, pledging to “find common ground and common sense solutions to make your lives better.” Harris vowed to listen to “experts, to those who will be affected by the decisions I make, and to people who disagree with me.” Unlike her opponent, Harris added, “I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail. I give them a place at the table.” She said her approach would be guided by “the joy and optimism that comes from making a difference in people’s lives” and that she would prioritize “country over party and self.”

As Harris concluded her remarks, she urged her supporters to “turn the page” on the division and use their voices to write a new chapter. “In seven days we have the power, each of you has the power, to turn the page and begin writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told,” she said, leaving the crowd feeling renewed. of purpose and hope. for election day.