Kamala Harris wants to convey a message of unity to American voters

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Kamala Harris will appeal for national unity in the most important speech of her life on Thursday in Chicago when she accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president and makes her case for the election to tens of millions of viewers across the United States.

Campaign officials say the vice president will use her prime-time address to tell her personal story and political vision, drawing a contrast to Donald Trump, who will try to convince Americans to elect her as the country's first female president.

“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move beyond the bitterness, cynicism and divisive struggles of the past,” Harris will say, according to prepared remarks her campaign will release.

“I know there are people watching tonight with different political views. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans.”

Harris, a former trial lawyer, said she would “pursue the case” against Trump, the first former president to be convicted of a crime.

“In many ways, Donald Trump is an untrustworthy man,” Harris will say, according to prepared remarks. “But the consequences of Donald Trump returning to the White House are extremely serious.”

The speech at the Democratic convention will be the culmination of an extraordinary few weeks for Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee after Biden abandoned his re-election bid and endorsed her instead.

The 59-year-old former U.S. senator has narrowed the gap between Biden and Trump in the polls and is now ahead of the Republican both nationally and in polls in the swing states that will decide the outcome of the race in November.

Harris' campaign has also received a strong boost over the past four weeks as Democrats have seen growing enthusiasm for her candidacy in what is likely to be the most expensive race for the White House ever.

This represents a remarkable rise for the Californian, who has long been plagued by questions about her political acumen following her failed attempt to win the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Despite the enthusiasm in Chicago, party leaders including former President Barack Obama have warned Democrats that Harris still faces a “tough race” against Trump, who continues to enjoy strong support in the MAGA movement since the failed assassination attempt on him in July.

Harris must also address long-simmering tensions within the Democrats over the Biden administration's support of Israel's war in Gaza.

A heavy police presence in Chicago has prevented thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters from approaching the arena or disrupting the events – but the biggest march of the week is scheduled to take place to coincide with Harris' acceptance speech on Thursday.

Some Democrats also remain bitter about the way Biden was pressured to drop out of the race. The president defended his legacy in a speech on Monday but left the conference immediately afterward.

Harris, who has not given an interview since succeeding Biden on the ticket, is also under pressure to come up with more detailed proposals on everything from the economy to immigration and foreign policy – and to show where she differs from him.

Harris' campaign team is focusing on a message of “freedom” – including for reproductive rights – and warning against the right-wing “extremism” of a possible second Trump presidency.

These topics were addressed at the DNC. Prime-time speakers included former First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton. Celebrities such as television star Oprah Winfrey and musician Stevie Wonder also spoke to those in attendance.

Speculation abounded Thursday that more celebrity surprise appearances would be made on the final night of the convention. Many Democrats cheered rumors that Beyoncé would perform in support of Harris. Beyoncé's song “Freedom” has become the anthem of the Harris campaign and is used frequently in ads and during the campaign trail.

Before Harris' acceptance speech, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Kelly's wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt and traumatic brain injury in 2011, will deliver speeches.