Scenes from inside the United Center
As Harris speaks, onlookers old and young are hanging on to every word of her historic acceptance speech.
![PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris' grandnieces Amara (R) and Leila (L) listen as Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago.](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/2a2c7dbc-53eb-4e53-8219-aca96ca2f63d/kamala-grandnieces-gty-thg-240822_1724381973298_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg)
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Harris set her agenda in a rousing speech at the DNC.
The moment that millions around the country have been waiting for took place Thursday at the Democratic National Convention as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for the presidency.
Harris took the stage to a roaring standing ovation and soon set her agenda in a rousing speech.
Whether it was immigration, reproductive rights or foreign security, the vice president showcased a sharp contrast in policies to former President Donald Trump.
Harris's speech was preceded by a who's who of leaders from both sides of the aisle who all made the case that she is the best person to be the nation's leader.
As Harris speaks, onlookers old and young are hanging on to every word of her historic acceptance speech.
Harris earlier mentioned Project 2025, which risks getting too wonky for the average viewer. But Democrats have been talking about it a lot this week, trying to tie it to Trump. The plan, a conservative roadmap for governance, is pretty unpopular with voters and is getting more so over time. In July, it was 32 points underwater on favorability. A majority of respondents also don't like the specific policies laid out, like "firing thousands of federal employees and replacing them with appointees loyal to the president," "reducing federal civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, and transgender people," and withdrawing federal approval for the abortion pill mifepristone.
— 538's Monica Potts
Harris, like Biden before her, is trying to balance support for Israel's security with condemnation of the violence in Gaza.
She said she and Biden are working around the clock for a hostage and cease-fire deal.
"I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas calls on Oct. 7," she said. "At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating so many innocent lives lost."
Harris laid out her experience on the global stage as vice president, saying she has "confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas."
"As commander-in-chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. And I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families, and I will always honor and never disparage their service and their sacrifice," she said, as the crowd broke out into a chant of "U.S.A.!"