‘Kamala knocked it out of the park’: Chicago-area delegates have glowing reviews for Harris’ acceptance speech
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris knocked her acceptance speech “out of the park,” capping a party convention filled with joy and optimism, Chicago-area delegates said Friday.
“The entire energy throughout the convention was electrifying throughout the week, and it hit a new high (Thursday night),” said Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, a Grayslake resident who was a delegate for the 10th Congressional District.
But boosters who watched the vice president’s rousing speech at the United Center also noted they have a lot of work to do if they want to help Harris defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump on Nov. 5 and prevent him from returning to the Oval Office for a second term.
“It’s very important to remember the chaos and calamity of those four years, when it came to our rights (and) when it came to our Constitution being trampled on,” said state Sen. Sara Feigenholz of Chicago, a delegate for the 5th Congressional District. “I can’t go through that again.”
Vega called the vice president’s acceptance speech “uplifting and powerful.”
“As a delegate and elected official of color, as a son of immigrant parents, Harris’ remarks on her parents’ journey was especially poignant,” Vega said. “(It) reminded me of my own story, and those of many. And while each story is unique, they start the same: with parents who dared to chase the American dream.”
Vega believes Harris presented “a clear contrast in the choice voters will face on Nov. 5.”
“Kamala knocked it out of the park by presenting a clear road map for the future,” Vega said. “A United States that works on behalf of every American, where the middle class is strengthened, where we uphold the rule of law, where we instill faith in our institutions and where we work towards a more perfect union of the people, by the people, for the people united.”
Feigenholz said Harris’ speech reminded her “how fortunate we are” to be Americans.
“We have a lot to lose,” she said.
Feigenholz, who is Jewish, also was moved by how Harris addressed the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. She appreciated Harris’ pledge to support Israel while also showing sympathy for the innocent Palestinian people suffering because of the conflict.
“It’s how we all feel,” Feigenholz said. “End the war.”
Harris wasn’t the only speaker Thursday night who impressed delegates.
State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat who was a delegate for the 8th Congressional District, said he was struck by former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s efforts to put country over party by endorsing Harris from the stage at the United Center even though he’s a conservative Republican. Kinzinger has made no secret of his distaste for — and distrust of — Trump, especially after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
But the night really belonged to Harris.
State Rep. Bob Morgan, a Deerfield Democrat who was a delegate for the 10th Congressional District, said Harris connected with voters in her acceptance speech by detailing how she will bolster the middle class and protect our freedoms. Harris specifically cited the freedom to have abortions, use birth control, worship and vote, among others.
“That is a winning message every day of the week,” Morgan said.
“Nailed it, @DemConvention!” he wrote.