trump Archives - Politica americana

Kamala Harris supera la prova intervista condotta dalla CNN

Testo dell’intervista, in inglese

BASH: Madam Vice President, Governor Walz, thank you so much for sitting down with me and bringing the bus. Bus tour is well underway here in Georgia. You have less time to make your case to voters than any candidate in modern American history. The voters are really eager to hear what your plans are. If you are elected, what would you do on day one in the White House?

HARRIS: Well, there are a number of things. I will tell you first and foremost one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class. When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by — by hope and by optimism.

I think sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans — really dividing our nation. And I think people are ready to turn the page on that.

BASH: So what would you do day one?

HARRIS: Day one, it’s gonna be about one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy. I’ve already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what we’re gonna do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we’re gonna do to invest in America’s small businesses, what we’re gonna do to invest in families.

For example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their child’s life to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib. There’s the work that we’re gonna do that is about investing in the American family around affordable housing, a big issue in our country right now. So there are a number of things on day one.

BASH: What about you?

WALZ: Well, I’m excited about this agenda, too. As I said, the idea of inspiring America to what can be. And I think many of these things that the vice president’s proposing are — are — are things that we share in values. And the child tax credit’s one we know that reduces childhood poverty by a third. We did it in Minnesota. To have a federal partner in this —unbelievable, I think, in the impact that we can make

BASH: You talk about — you call it the opportunity economy. You are well aware that right now many Americans are struggling. There’s a crisis of affordability. One of your campaign themes is, “We’re not going back.” But I wonder what you say to voters who do want to go back when it comes to the economy specifically because their groceries were less expensive, housing was more affordable when Donald Trump was president.

HARRIS: Well, let’s start with the fact that when Joe Biden and I came in office during the height of a pandemic, we saw over 10 million jobs were lost. People — I mean, literally we are all tracking the numbers. Hundreds of people a day were dying because of COVID. The economy had crashed.

In large part, all of that because of mismanagement by Donald Trump of that crisis. When we came in, our highest priority was to do what we could to rescue America. And today, we know that we have inflation at under 3%. A lot of our policies have led to the reality that America recovered faster than any wealthy nation around the world.

But you are right. Prices in particular for groceries are still too high. The American people know it. I know it. Which is why my agenda includes what we need to do to bring down the price of groceries. For example, dealing with an issue like price gouging.

What we need to do to extend the child tax credit to help young families be able to take care of their children in their most formative years. What we need to do to bring down the cost of housing. My proposal includes what would be a tax credit of $25,000 for first-time home buyers so they can just have enough to put a down payment on a home, which is part of the American dream and their aspiration, but do it in a way that allows them to actually get on the path to achieving that goal and that dream.

BASH: So you have been vice president for three and a half years. The steps that you’re talking about now, why haven’t you done them already?

HARRIS: Well, first of all, we had to recover as an economy, and we have done that. I’m very proud of the work that we have done that has brought inflation down to less than 3%, the work that we have done to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors. Donald Trump said he was gonna do a number of things, including allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Never happened. We did it.

So now, and I — as I travel in the state of Georgia and around our country, the number of seniors that have benefited, I’ve met — I was in Nevada recently. A grandmother who showed me her receipts. And before we capped the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 a month she was paying hundreds of dollars, up to thousands of dollars a month for her insulin. She’s not doing that any longer.

BASH: So you maintain Bidenomics is a success.

HARRIS: I maintain that when we do the work of bringing down prescription medication for the American people, including capping the cost — of the annual cost of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000; when we do what we did in the first year of being in office to extend the child tax credit so that we cut child poverty in America by over 50%; when we do what we have done to invest in the American people and bringing manufacturing back to the United States so that we created over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, bringing business back to America; what we have done to improve the supply chain so we’re not relying on foreign governments to supply American families with their basic needs, I’ll say that that’s good work. There’s more to do, but that’s good work.

BASH: I want to get some clarity on where you stand on some key policy issues. Energy is a big one. In — when you were in Congress, you supported the Green New Deal. And in 2019 you said, quote, “There is no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.” Fracking, as you know, is a pretty big issue, particularly in your must-win state of Pennsylvania.

HARRIS: Sure.

BASH: Do you still want to ban fracking?

HARRIS: No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking.

BASH: In 2019, I believe in a town hall you said — you were asked, “Would you commit to implementing a federal ban on fracking on your first day in office?” and you said, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking. So yes.” So it changed in — in that campaign?

HARRIS: In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024, and I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word.

BASH: What made you change that position at the time?

HARRIS: Well, let’s be clear. My values have not changed. I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate. And to do that, we can do what we have accomplished thus far.

The Inflation Reduction Act, what we have done to invest by my calculation over t— probably a trillion dollars over the next ten years investing in a clean energy economy. What we’ve already done creating over 300,000 new clean energy jobs. That tells me from my experience as vice president we can do it without banning fracking. In fact, Dana — Dana, excuse me — I cast the tie-breaking vote that actually increased leases for fracking as vice president. So I’m very clear about where I stand.

BASH: And was there some policy or scientific data that you saw that you said, “Oh, okay. I get it now”?

HARRIS: What I have seen is that we can — we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking.

BASH: Okay. Another issue, big one, is immigration. As vice president you were tasked with addressing the root causes of migration in southern countries and —

HARRIS: Northern part of Central America.

BASH: The northern parts of —

HARRIS: Yeah.

BASH: — of — of Central America that deals with, that affects the southern border of the US. During the Biden-Harris administration, there were record numbers of illegal border crossings. Why did the Biden-Harris administration wait three and a half years to implement sweeping asylum restrictions?

HARRIS: Well, first of all, the root causes work that I did as vice president, that I was asked to do by the president has actually resulted in a number of benefits, including historic investments by American businesses in that region. The number of immigrants coming from that region has actually reduced since we’ve began that work.

But I will say this: That Joe Biden and I and our administration worked with members of the United States Congress on an immigration issue that is very significant to the American people and to our security, which is the border. And through bipartisan work, including some of the most conservative members of the United States Congress, a bill was crafted which we supported, which I support.

And Donald Trump got word of this bill that would’ve — that contributed to securing our border. And because he believes that it would not have helped him politically, he told his folks in Congress, “Don’t put it forward.” He killed the bill: a border security bill that would’ve put 1,500 more agents on the border. And let me tell you something. The Border Patrol endorsed the bill. And I’m sure —

(OVERTALK)

HARRIS: — and I’m sure in large part because they knew they were working around the clock and 1,500 more agents would help them. That bill would have allowed us to increase seizures of fentanyl. Ask any community in America that has been devastated by fentanyl what passing that bill would have done to address their concern and a pain they’ve experienced —

BASH: So you would — so you would push that legislation again? I just want to ask ab—

HARRIS: Not only push it. I will make sure that it comes to my desk and I would sign it.

BASH: Just one other question about something that you said in 2019 when you first ran. There was a debate. You raised your hand when asked whether or not the border should be decriminalized. Do you still believe that?

HARRIS: I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally. And there should be consequence. And let’s be clear, in this race, I’m the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings. I’m the only person in this race who actually served a border state as attorney general to enforce our laws. And I would enforce our laws as president going forward. I recognize the problem.

BASH: Generally speaking, how should voters look at some of the changes that you’ve made — that you explained some of here — in your policy? Is it because you have more experience now and you’ve learned more about the information? Is it because you’re running for president in a Democratic primary? And should they feel comfortable and confident that what you’re saying now is gonna be your policy moving forward?

HARRIS: Dana, I think the — the — the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed and I have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.

We did that with the Inflation Reduction Act. We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension the globe around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed. My value around what we need to do to secure our border, that value has not changed. I spent two terms as the attorney general of California prosecuting transnational criminal organizations, violations of American laws regarding the passage, illegal passage of guns, drugs, and human beings across our border. My values did not change.

So that is the reality of it, and four years of being vice president, I’ll tell you, one of the — the — the aspects to your point is traveling the country extensively. I mean, I’m here in Georgia, I think somebody told me 17 times since I’ve been vice president in Georgia alone. I believe it is important to build consensus, and it is important to — to — to find a common place of understanding of where we can actually solve problems.

BASH: On that note, you had a lot of Republican speakers at the convention. Will you appoint a Republican to your Cabinet?

HARRIS: Yes, I would.

BASH: Any one in mind—

HARRIS: Yes, I would. No, no one in particular in mind. I got — we got 68 days to go with this election, so I’m not puttin’ the cart before the horse. But I would. I think — I think it’s really important. I — I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who is a Republican.

BASH: Speaking of Republicans, I want to ask you about your opponent, Donald Trump. I was a little bit surprised, people might be surprised to hear that you have never interacted with him, met him face to face. That’s gonna change soon, but what I want to ask you about is what he said last month. He suggested that you happened to turn Black recently for political purposes, questioning a core part of your identity.

HARRIS: Yeah.

BASH: Any—

HARRIS: Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please. (LAUGH)

BASH: That’s it?

HARRIS: That’s it.

BASH: OK. Let’s talk about some foreign policy issues that would be on your plate if you become commander in chief. President Biden has tried unsuccessfully to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He’s been doing it for months and months, along with you. Would you do anything differently? For example, would you withhold some US weapons shipments to Israel? That’s what a lot of people on the progressive left want you to do.

HARRIS: Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and — and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself. And that’s not gonna change. But let’s take a step back. October 7, 1,200 people are massacred, many young people who are simply attending a musical festival. Women were horribly raped. As I said then, I say today, Israel had a right — has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we have got to get a deal done. We — we were in Doha. We have to get a deal done. This war must end—

BASH: And in the meantime—

HARRIS: And we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the families of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.

BASH: But no change in policy in terms of arms and — and so forth?

HARRIS: No. I — we have to get a deal done. Dan — Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region — it — a deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war but will unlock so much of what must happen next.

I remain committed since I’ve been on October 8 to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Paletin — the Palestinians have security and self-determination and — and dignity.

BASH: Governor Walz, the country is just starting to get to know you. I want to ask you a question about how you’ve described your service in the National Guard.

WALZ: Yeah.

BASH: You said that you carried weapons in war, but you have never deployed actually in a war zone. A campaign official said that you misspoke. Did you?

WALZ: Well, first of all, I’m incredibly proud. I’ve done 24 years of wearin’ uniform of this country. Equally proud of my service in a public school classroom, whether it’s Congress or — or the governor. My record speaks for itself, but I think people are coming to get to know me. I — I speak like they do. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about — about our children being shot in schools and around — around guns. So I think people know me. They know who I am. They know where — where my heart is, and again, my record has been out there for over 40 years to — to speak for itself.

BASH: And the — the idea that you said that you were in war, did you misspeak, as the campaign has said?

WALZ: Yeah, I said — we were talking about in this case, this was after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war. And my wife the English teacher told me my grammar’s not always correct. But again, if it’s not this, it’s an attack on my children for showing love for me, or it’s an attack on my dog. I’m not gonna do that, and the one thing I’ll never do is I’ll never demean another member’s service in any way. I never have and I never will.

BASH: And just one other question, because, again, this is all new. This was not — however many days ago, this was not on either of your bingo cards, especially yours. You had to clarify that you had said that you and your wife used IVF, but it turned out you used a different kind of fertility in order to have children. And then when you ran for Congress in 2006, your campaign repeatedly made false statements about a 1995 arrest for drunk and reckless driving. What do you say to voters who aren’t sure whether they can take you at your word?

WALZ: Well, I’ve been very public. I think they can see — my students come out — former folks I’ve served with, and they — and they do, they vouch for me. I certainly own my mistakes when I make ‘em. The one thing I’ll tell you is I wished in this country we wouldn’t have to do this. I spoke about our infertility issues ‘cause it’s hell, and families know this. And I — I spoke about the treatments that were available to us that — that had those beautiful children there. That’s quite a contrast in folks that are trying to — to take those rights away from us.

And so I — I think people know who I am. They know that record. They’ve seen that I’ve taught thousands of students. I’ve been out there. And I — I won’t apologize for speaking passionately, whether it’s guns in schools or protection of reproductive rights. The contrast could not be clearer between what we’re running against. The vice president’s position on this has been clear. And I think most Americans get it, if you’ve been through that. I don’t think they’re cutting hairs on IVF or IUI. I think what they’re cutting hairs on is an abortion ban and the ability to be able to deny families the chance to have a beautiful child.

BASH: Vice President Harris, you were a very staunch defender of President Biden’s capacity to serve another four years right after the debate. You insisted that President Biden is extraordinarily strong. Given where we are now, do you have any regrets about what you told the American people?

HARRIS: No, not at all. Not at all. I have served with President Biden for almost four years now. And I’ll tell ya it’s one of the greatest honors of my career, truly. He cares so deeply about the American people. He is so smart and — and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.

By contrast, the former president has none of that. And so — one, I — I — I am so proud to have served as vice president to Joe Biden. And, two, I am so proud to be running with Tim Walz for president of the United States and to bring America what I believe the American people deserve, which is a new way forward, and turn the page on the last decade of what I believe has been contrary to where the spirit of our country really lies.

BASH: With the last decade, of course, the last three and a half years has been part of your administration.

HARRIS: I’m talking about an era that started about a decade ago where there is some suggestion, warped I believe it to be, that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on you beat down instead of where I believe most Americans are, which is to believe that the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up. That’s what’s at stake as much as any other detail that we could discuss in this election.

BASH: Because we haven’t had a chance to — to talk, I’m just curious, staying on President Biden, when he called you and said he was pulling outta the race, what was that like? And did he offer to endorse you right away or did you ask for it?

HARRIS: It was — it was a Sunday, so, here, I’ll — I’ll give you a little too much information. (LAUGHTER)

BASH: Go for it. There’s no such thing, Madam Vice President.

HARRIS: My family was staying with us. And — including my baby nieces. And we had just had pancakes and, you know, “Auntie, can I have more bacon?” “Yes, I’ll make you more bacon.” And then we were gonna sit — we were sitting down to — to do a puzzle. (LAUGH) And the phone rang. And it was Joe Biden. And — and he told me what he had decided to do. And I asked him, “Are you sure?” And he said, “Yes.” And — and that’s how I learned about it.

BASH: And what about the endorsement? Did you ask for it?

HARRIS: He was very clear that he was gonna support me.

BASH: So when he called to tell you, he said, “I’m pulling outta the race and I’m gonna support you?”

HARRIS: Well, my first thought was not about me to be honest with you. My first thought was about him to be honest. I think history is gonna show a number of things about Joe Biden’s presidency. I think history is gonna show that in so many ways it was transformative, be it on what we have accomplished around finally investing in America’s infrastructure, investing in new economics, in new industries, what we have done to bring our allies back together, and have confidence in who we are as America, and grow that alliance, what we have done to stand true to our principles including the — the — one of the most important international rules and norms, which is the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

And I think history is gonna show not only has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved those extraordinary successes, but the character of the man is one that he has been in his life and career, including as a president, quite selfless and puts the American people first.

BASH: I just have to ask you both about two standout moments, aside of course from the addresses that you both gave, but standout moments that were perhaps unexpected during the convention. You mentioned one of them, governor, a moment that you shared, that the world shared with your son, Gus. You were speaking. The camera caught him so incredibly proud of you, so emotional, saying, “That’s my dad.”

WALZ: Yeah. I — I don’t know as a father I could’ve ever imagined that. I — I’m grateful for so many reasons to be on this ticket. But that moment — to understand what was really important, to — to have my son feel a sense of pride in me, that I was trying to do the right thing. And it was, you know, you try and protect your kids. You know it brings — it brings notoriety in things. But it was just such a visceral, emotional moment that I’m — I’m just — I’m grateful I got to experience it. And I’m — I’m so proud of him.

I’m proud of him. I’m proud of Hope. I’m proud of Gwen. She’s a wonderful mother. And these are great kids. And I think the one thing is, talking about the era we’re in, is our politics can be better. It can be different. We can — we can show some of these things. And we can have families involved in this. And I — I hope that there was — I hope people felt that out there. And I hope they hugged their kids a little tighter, because you just never know. And life can be kinda hard.

BASH: And last question, Madam Vice President, the photograph that has gone viral. You were speaking. One of your grand nieces that you were just talking about was watching you accept the nomination. You didn’t explicitly talk about gender or race in your speech. But it obviously means a lot to a lot of people. And that viral picture really says it. What does it mean to you?

HARRIS: You know, I — listen, I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender. But I did see that photograph. And I was deeply touched by it. And, you’re right, she’s — it’s the back of her head, and her two little braids, and — and then I’m in the front of the photograph obviously speaking. It’s very humbling. It’s very humbling in many ways.

BASH: Did she talk to you about it afterwards?

HARRIS: Oh, she had a lot to talk (LAUGHTER) about. She had a lot. She listened to everything. And she listens to everything.

BASH: She gave you her hot takes?

HARRIS: Oh, yeah, definitely. Uh-huh. (LAUGH)

BASH: Madam Vice President, Governor Walz, thank you so much for your time. Appreciate it.

HARRIS: Okay, thank you.

WALZ: Thanks for having us.

HARRIS: Thank you, Dana. Thank you.

fonte: https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/29/politics/harris-walz-interview-read-transcript/index.html

Candidatura alla Presidenza: Il discorso di Kamala Harris

Di seguito, il testo in inglese e la traduzione in italiano del discorso di Kamala Harris, per l’accettazione della candidatura alla presidenza degli Stati Uniti per il Partito democratico, tenuto il 22 agosto 2024 a Chicago

Good evening.

To my husband, Doug, thank you for being an incredible partner to me and father to Cole and Ella. And happy anniversary. I love you so very much.

To Joe Biden — Mr. President. When I think about the path we have traveled together, I am filled with gratitude.Your record is extraordinary, as history will show. And your character is inspiring. Doug and I love you and Jill. And I am forever thankful to you both.

And to Coach Tim Walz, you are going to be an incredible Vice President. And to the delegates and everyone who has put your faith in our campaign—your support is humbling.

America, the path that led me here in recent weeks, was no doubt … unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys.

My mother Shyamala Harris had one of her own. I miss her every day. Especially now. And I know she’s looking down tonight. And smiling.

My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California, with an unshakeable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.

When she finished school, she was supposed to return home to a traditional arranged marriage.

But, as fate would have it, she met my father, Donald Harris, a student from Jamaica. They fell in love and got married, and that act of self-determination made my sister Maya and me.

Growing up, we moved a lot. I will always remember that big Mayflower truck, packed with all our belongings, ready to go: to Illinois, to Wisconsin, and wherever our parents’ jobs took us.

My early memories of my parents together are joyful ones. A home filled with laughter and music. Aretha. Coltrane. And Miles.

At the park, my mother would tell us to stay close. But my father would just smile, and say, “Run, Kamala. Run.” “Don’t be afraid.” “Don’t let anything stop you.”

From my earliest years, he taught me to be fearless.

But the harmony between my parents did not last.

When I was in elementary school, they split up. And it was mostly my mother who raised us.

Before she could finally afford to buy a home, she rented a small apartment in the East Bay.

In the Bay, you either live in the hills or the flatlands. We lived in the flats.

A beautiful working-class neighborhood of Firefighters, nuses, and construction workers, all who tended their lawns with pride.

My mother worked long hours.

And, like many working parents, she leaned on a trusted circle to help raise us.

Mrs. Shelton, who ran the daycare below us and became a second mother. Uncle Sherman. Aunt Mary. Uncle Freddy. And Auntie Chris.

None of them, family by blood. And all of them, Family. By love.

Family who taught us how to make gumbo. How to play chess. And sometimes even let us win.

Family who loved us. Believed in us. And told us we could be anything. Do anything.

They instilled in us the values they personified. Community. Faith. And the importance of treating others as you would want to be treated. With kindness. Respect. And compassion.

My mother was a brilliant, five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent. And, as the eldest child, I saw how the world would sometimes treat her.

But she never lost her cool. She was tough. Courageous. A trailblazer in the fight for women’s health.

And she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle mentioned the other night—She taught us to never complain about injustice. But…do something about it.

She also taught us—Never do anything half-assed. That’s a direct quote.

I grew up immersed in the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement.

My parents had met at a civil rights gathering. And they made sure we learned about civil rights leaders, including lawyers like Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley.

Those who battled in the courtroom to make real the Promise of America. So, at a young age, I decided I wanted to do that work. I wanted to be a lawyer.

And when it came time to choose – the type of law I would pursue – I reflected on a pivotal moment in my life.

When I was in high school, I started to notice something about my best friend Wanda.

She was sad at school. And there were times she didn’t want to go home.

So, one day, I asked if everything was alright. And she confided in me that she was being sexually abused by her step-father. And I immediately told her she had to come stay with us.

And she did. That is one of the reasons I became a prosecutor.

To protect people like Wanda. Because I believe everyone has a right: To safety. To dignity. And to justice.

As a prosecutor, when I had a case, I charged it not in the name of the victim. But in the name of. “The People.”

For a simple reason. In our system of justice, a harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us.

I would often explain this, to console survivors of crime. To remind them: No one should be made to fight alone. We are all in this together.

Every day in the courtroom, I stood proudly before a judge and said five words: “Kamala Harris, for the People.”

And to be clear: My entire career, I have only had one client. The People.

And so, on behalf of The People, On behalf of every American. Regardless of party. Race. Gender. Or the language your grandmother speaks.

On behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey.

On behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with. People who work hard. Chase their dreams. And look out for one another.

On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth.

I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America.

With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past.

A chance to chart a New Way Forward.

Not as members of any one party or faction. But as Americans.

I know there are people of various political views watching tonight.

And I want you to know: I promise to be a President for all Americans.

You can always trust me to put country above party and self. To hold sacred America’s fundamental principles. From the rule of law. To free and fair elections. To the peaceful transfer of power.

I will be a President who unites us around our highest aspirations. A President who leads. And listens. Who is realistic. Practical. And has common sense. And always fights for the American people.

From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work.

As a young courtroom prosecutor in Oakland, I stood up for women and children against predators who abused them.

As Attorney General of California, I took on the Big Banks. Delivered $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure. And helped pass a Homeowner Bill of Rights—one of the first of its kind.

I stood up: For veterans and students being scammed by Big for-Profit colleges. For workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due. For seniors facing elder abuse.

I fought against cartels who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings. Who threaten the security of our border and the safety of our communities.

Those fights were not easy. And neither were the elections that put me in those offices. We were underestimated at every turn. But we never gave up. Because the future is always worth fighting for.

And that’s the fight we are in right now. A fight for America’s future.

Fellow Americans, this election is not only the most important of our lives. It is one of the most important in the life of our nation.

In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man.

But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.

Consider not only the chaos and calamity when he was in office, but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election.

Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes.

When he failed, he sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol, where they assaulted law enforcement officers.

When politicians in his own party begged him to call off the mob and send help, he did the opposite. He fanned the flames.

And now, for an entirely different set of crimes, he was found guilty of fraud by a jury of everyday Americans. And separately, found liable for committing sexual abuse.

And consider what he intends to do if we give him power again.

Consider his explicit intent to set free the violent extremists who assaulted those law enforcement officers at the Capitol.

His explicit intent to jail journalists. Political opponents. Anyone he sees as the enemy.

His explicit intent to deploy our active-duty military against our own citizens.

Consider the power he will have— especially after the United States Supreme Court just ruled he would be immune from criminal prosecution.

Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. How he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States. Not to improve your life. Not to strengthen our national security.

But to serve the only client he has ever had: Himself.

And we know what a second Trump term would look like. It’s all laid out in “Project 2025.” Written by his closest advisors. And its sum total is to pull, our country back into the past.

But America, we are not going back.

We are not going back to when Donald Trump tried to cut Social Security and Medicare. We are not going back to when he tried to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.

When insurance companies could deny people with pre-existing conditions.

We are not going to let him eliminate the Department of Education that funds our public schools. We are not going to let him end programs like Head Start that provide preschool and child care.

America, we are not going back. We are charting. A. New. Way. Forward.

Forward—to a future with a strong and growing middle class.

Because we know a strong middle class has always been critical to America’s success. And building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.

This is personal for me. The middle class is where I come from. My mother kept a strict budget. We lived within our means. Yet, we wanted for little.

And she expected us to make the most of the opportunities that were available to us. And to be grateful for them. Because opportunity is not available to everyone.

That’s why we will create what I call an opportunity economy. An opportunity economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed. Whether you live in a rural area, small town, or big city.

As President, I will bring together: Labor and workers, Small business owners and entrepreneurs, And American companies.

To create jobs. Grow our economy. And lower the cost of everyday needs. Like health care. Housing. And groceries.

We will: Provide access to capital for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and founders. We will end America’s housing shortage. And protect Social Security and Medicare.

Compare that to Donald Trump. He doesn’t actually fight for the middle class. Instead, he fights for himself and his billionaire friends. He will give them another round of tax breaks, that will add 5 trillion dollars to the national debt.

All while he intends to enact what, in effect, is a national sales tax—call it, a Trump tax— that would raise prices on middle-class families by almost 4 thousand dollars a year.

Well, instead of a Trump tax hike, we will pass a middle class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans.

Friends, I believe America cannot truly be prosperous unless Americans are fully able to make their own decisions about their own lives. Especially on matters

of heart and home.

But tonight, too many women in America are not able to make those decisions. Let’s be clear about how we got here.

Donald Trump hand-picked members of the United States Supreme Court to take away reproductive freedom. And now he brags about it. His words: Quote –“I did it, and I’m proud to have done it.” End quote.

Over the past two years, I have traveled across our country. And women have told me their stories. Husbands and fathers have shared theirs. Stories of: Women miscarrying in a parking lot…Getting sepsis…Losing the ability to ever have children again…

All—because doctors are afraid of going to jail for caring for their patients. Couples just trying to grow their family…cut off in the middle of IVF treatments. Children who have survived sexual assault, potentially forced to carry the pregnancy to term.

This is what is happening in our country. Because of Donald Trump.

And understand, —he is not done.

As a part of his agenda, he and his allies would: Limit access to birth control, Ban medication abortion, And enact a nation-wide abortion ban with or without Congress.

And. Get this, he plans to create a National. Anti-Abortion. Coordinator. And force states to report on women’s miscarriages and abortions. Simply put. They are. Out. Of. Their. Minds.

And one must ask: Why exactly is it that they don’t trust women?

Well. We. trust. women.

And when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into. law.

In this election, many other fundamental freedoms are at stake. The freedom to live safe from gun violence—in our schools, communities, and places of worship. The freedom to love who you love openly and with pride. The freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis. And the freedom that unlocks all the others. The freedom to vote.

With this election, We finally have the opportunity to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. And let me be clear. After decades in law enforcement, I know the importance of safety and security, especially at our border.

Last year, Joe and I brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades.

The Border Patrol endorsed it.

But Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign. So he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal.

Well, I refuse to play politics with our security. Here is my pledge to you: As President, I will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed. And I will sign it into law.

I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants— And reform our broken immigration system. We can create an earned pathway to citizenship— And secure our border. America, we must also be steadfast in advancing our security and our values abroad.

As Vice President, I have: 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. 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.

I will make sure that: We lead the world into the future on space and Artificial Intelligence. That America—not China—wins The competition for the 21st century. And that we strengthen—not abdicate—our global leadership.

Trump, on the other hand, threatened to abandon NATO. He encouraged Putin to invade our allies. Said Russia could—quote—“do whatever the hell they want.”

Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President Zelensky to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade. I helped mobilize a global response—

over 50 countries—to defend against Putin’s aggression. And as President, I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies.

With respect to the war in Gaza. President Biden and I are working around the clock. Because now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire done.

Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on October 7th. Including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival.

At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.

President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity. Security. Freedom. And self-determination.

And know this: I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. And I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim-Jong-Un, who are rooting for Trump. Because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable—because he wants to be an autocrat.

As President, I will never waver in defense of America’s security and ideals. Because, in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand—and where the United States of America belongs.

Fellow Americans, I love our country with all my heart.

Everywhere I go—in everyone I meet—I see a nation ready to move forward. Ready for the next step, in the incredible journey that is America.

I see an America where we hold fast to the fearless belief that built our nation. That inspired the world. That here, in this country, anything is possible. Nothing is out of reach.

An America, where we care for one another, look out for one another, and recognize that we have so much more in common than what separates us. That none of us has to fail for all of us to succeed. And that, in unity, there is strength.

Our opponents in this race are out there, every day, denigrating America. Talking about how terrible everything is. Well, my mother had another lesson she used to teach. Never let anyone tell you who you are. You show them who you are.

America, let us show each other—and the world—who we are. And what we stand for. Freedom. Opportunity. Compassion. Dignity. Fairness. And endless possibilities.

We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world. And on behalf of our children and grandchildren, and all those who sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we must be worthy of this moment. It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done. Guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love.

To fight for the ideals we cherish.

And to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth. The privilege and pride of being an American.

So, let’s get out there and let’s fight for it.

Let’s get out there and let’s vote for it.

And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.

Thank you. God bless you. May God bless the United States of America.

Traduzione in italiano

Buonasera.

A mio marito Doug, grazie per essere stato un partner incredibile per me e un padre per Cole ed Ella. E buon anniversario. Ti amo tantissimo.

A Joe Biden, signor Presidente. Quando penso alla strada che abbiamo percorso insieme, sono piena di gratitudine. I risultati che raggiunto sono straordinari, come la storia dimostrerà. E il suo carattere è fonte di ispirazione. Io e Doug vogliamo bene a lei e a Jill. E sono per sempre grato a entrambi.

E al coach Tim Walz, che sarà un incredibile vicepresidente. E ai delegati e a tutti coloro che hanno dato fiducia alla nostra campagna: accetto con umiltà il vostro sostegno.

L’America, il percorso che mi ha portato qui nelle ultime settimane, è stato senza dubbio… inaspettato. Ma non sono nuovo a viaggi improbabili.

Anche mia madre Shyamala Harris ne ha avuto uno. Mi manca ogni giorno. Soprattutto adesso. E so che stasera mi sta guardando dall’alto. E sorride. Mia madre aveva 19 anni quando ha attraversato il mondo da sola. Viaggiando dall’India alla California. Con il sogno incrollabile di diventare la scienziata che avrebbe curato il cancro al seno. Una volta terminati gli studi, sarebbe dovuta tornare a casa per un matrimonio tradizionale combinato. Ma il destino volle che incontrasse mio padre, Donald Harris. Uno studente della Giamaica. Si innamorarono. E si sposarono.

E quell’atto di autodeterminazione fece nascere me e mia sorella Maya. Crescendo, ci siamo trasferiti spesso. Ricorderò sempre quel grande camion Mayflower, carico di tutte le nostre cose. Pronto a partire. Verso l’Illinois. In Wisconsin. E ovunque il lavoro dei nostri genitori ci portasse. I primi ricordi che ho dei miei genitori insieme sono gioiosi.

Una casa piena di risate e di musica. Aretha, Coltrane e Miles. Al parco, mia madre ci diceva di stare vicini. Ma mio padre sorrideva e diceva: “Corri, Kamala. Corri”. “Non avere paura”. “Non lasciare che nulla ti fermi”. Fin dai primi anni di vita, mi ha insegnato a non avere paura. Ma l’armonia tra i miei genitori non durò. Quando frequentavo la scuola elementare, si separarono. Fu soprattutto mia madre a crescerci. Prima di potersi finalmente permettere di comprare una casa, affittò un piccolo appartamento nella East Bay. Nella Baia, o si vive in collina o in pianura. Noi vivevamo in pianura. Un bel quartiere operaio di pompieri, infermieri, operai edili: tutti curavano i loro prati con orgoglio.

Mia madre lavorava a lungo. E, come molti genitori che lavorano, si appoggiava a una cerchia fidata per aiutarci a crescere. La signora Shelton, che gestiva l’asilo sotto di noi e divenne una seconda madre. Zio Sherman. Zia Mary. Zio Freddy. E zia Chris. Nessuno di loro, famiglia di sangue. E tutti loro, famiglia. Per amore. La famiglia che ci ha insegnato a cucinare il gumbo. A giocare a scacchi. E a volte ci ha anche fatto vincere. Una famiglia che ci ha amato. Ha creduto in noi. E ci ha detto che potevamo essere qualsiasi cosa. Fare qualsiasi cosa.

Ci hanno inculcato i valori che personificavano, la comunità, la fede e l’importanza di trattare gli altri come vorresti essere trattato tu.

Con gentilezza. Con rispetto. E compassione. Mia madre era una donna brillante, alta un metro e mezzo, bruna e con l’accento. E, come figlia maggiore, ho visto come il mondo la trattava a volte. Ma non ha mai perso la calma. Era tenace. Coraggiosa.

Un’apripista nella lotta per la salute delle donne. E ha insegnato a me e a Maya una lezione che Michelle ha citato l’altra sera: ci ha insegnato a non lamentarci mai delle ingiustizie.

Ma… a fare qualcosa. Ci ha anche insegnato a non fare mai nulla a metà. Questa è una citazione diretta.

Sono cresciuta immersa negli ideali del Movimento per i diritti civili. I miei genitori si erano incontrati a un raduno per i diritti civili. E si sono assicurati che imparassimo a conoscere i leader dei diritti civili, compresi avvocati come Thurgood Marshall e Constance Baker Motley. Coloro che hanno lottato nelle aule di tribunale per rendere reale la Promessa dell’America. Così, in giovane età, ho deciso che volevo fare quel lavoro.

Volevo diventare un avvocato. E quando è arrivato il momento di scegliere il tipo di legge che avrei seguito, ho riflettuto su un momento cruciale della mia vita. Quando ero al liceo, iniziai a notare qualcosa nella mia migliore amica Wanda. Era triste a scuola. E a volte non voleva tornare a casa. Così, un giorno, le chiesi se andava tutto bene. Mi ha confidato che il suo patrigno abusava sessualmente di lei.

Le dissi subito che doveva venire a stare da noi. E lei lo fece. Questo è uno dei motivi per cui sono diventato procuratore. Per proteggere persone come Wanda. Perché credo che tutti abbiano diritto: alla sicurezza. Alla dignità. E alla giustizia.

Come pubblico ministero, quando ho avuto un caso, non l’ho trattato in nome della vittima. Ma in nome de “Il popolo”. Per un semplice motivo. Nel nostro sistema giudiziario, un danno contro uno di noi è un danno contro tutti noi. Spesso lo spiegavo per consolare i sopravvissuti a un crimine. Per ricordare loro: Nessuno deve essere costretto a combattere da solo. Siamo tutti coinvolti in questa situazione. Ogni giorno, in aula, mi sono presentata con orgoglio davanti a un giudice e ho pronunciato cinque parole: “Kamala Harris, per il popolo”.

E per essere chiari: in tutta la mia carriera ho avuto un solo cliente. Il popolo. E quindi, a nome del popolo, a nome di tutti gli americani, indipendentemente dal partito, razza. genere o dalla lingua parlata da vostra nonna. A nome di mia madre e di tutti coloro che hanno intrapreso un improbabile viaggio. A nome degli americani come le persone con cui sono cresciuta.

Persone che lavorano sodo. Inseguono i loro sogni. E si prendono cura gli uni degli altri. A nome di tutti coloro la cui storia potrebbe essere scritta solo nella più grande nazione del mondo. Accetto la sua candidatura a Presidente degli Stati Uniti d’America. Con questa elezione, la nostra nazione ha una preziosa e fugace opportunità di superare le amarezze, il cinismo e le battaglie divisive del passato.

Un’occasione per tracciare una nuova strada per il futuro. Non come membri di un partito o di una fazione. Ma come americani. So che stasera ci sono persone di diverse opinioni politiche che stanno guardando. E voglio che lo sappiate: prometto di essere Presidente per tutti gli americani. Potete sempre fidarvi di me, metterò il Paese al di sopra dei partiti e degli interessi personali. Manterrò sacri i principi fondamentali dell’America. Dello stato di diritto. Delle elezioni libere ed eque. Del trasferimento pacifico del potere. Sarò una Presidente che ci unisce attorno alle nostre aspirazioni più alte. Una Presidente che guida. E che ascolta. Che è realistica. Pratica. Che ha buon senso. E che si batte sempre per il popolo americano. Dal tribunale alla Casa Bianca, questo è stato il lavoro della mia vita. Da giovane procuratore in tribunale a Oakland, ho difeso donne e bambini dai predatori che ne abusavano. Da procuratore generale della California, ho affrontato le grandi banche. Ho stanziato 20 miliardi di dollari per le famiglie della classe media che rischiavano il pignoramento. E ho contribuito ad approvare una Carta dei Diritti del Proprietario di Casa, una delle prime del suo genere. Ho preso posizione: per i veterani e gli studenti truffati dalle grandi università a scopo di lucro. Per i lavoratori che venivano defraudati dei salari che spettavano loro. Per gli anziani che subiscono abusi. Ho lottato contro i cartelli che trafficano armi, droga ed esseri umani. Che minacciano la sicurezza del nostro confine e la sicurezza delle nostre comunità. Queste battaglie non sono state facili. E non lo sono state nemmeno le elezioni che mi hanno portato a ricoprire quegli incarichi.

Siamo stati sottovalutati in ogni occasione. Ma non ci siamo mai arresi. Perché vale sempre la pena lottare per il futuro. Ed è questa la lotta che stiamo conducendo ora. Una lotta per il futuro dell’America. Amici americani, questa elezione non è solo la più importante della nostra vita. È una delle più importanti nella vita della nostra nazione. Per molti versi, Donald Trump è un uomo poco serio.

Ma le conseguenze di un ritorno di Donald Trump alla Casa Bianca sono estremamente gravi. Considerate non solo il caos e la calamità quando era in carica, ma anche la gravità di ciò che è accaduto da quando ha perso le ultime elezioni. Donald Trump ha cercato di buttare via i vostri voti. Quando ha fallito, ha mandato una folla armata al Campidoglio degli Stati Uniti, dove ha aggredito le forze dell’ordine. Quando i politici del suo stesso partito lo hanno implorato di richiamare la folla e di mandare i soccorsi, lui ha fatto il contrario. Ha alimentato le fiamme. E ora, per una serie di crimini completamente diversi, è stato dichiarato colpevole di frode da una giuria di americani comuni.

E separatamente, è stato ritenuto responsabile di aver commesso abusi sessuali. E considerate cosa intende fare se gli diamo di nuovo il potere. Considerate la sua esplicita intenzione di liberare gli estremisti violenti che hanno aggredito gli agenti delle forze dell’ordine al Campidoglio. La sua esplicita intenzione di incarcerare i giornalisti. Gli oppositori politici. Chiunque egli consideri un nemico. La sua esplicita intenzione di impiegare i nostri militari in servizio attivo contro i nostri stessi cittadini.

Considerate il potere che avrà, soprattutto dopo che la Corte Suprema degli Stati Uniti ha appena stabilito che sarà immune da procedimenti penali. Immaginate Donald Trump senza barriere.

Come userebbe gli immensi poteri della presidenza degli Stati Uniti. Non per migliorare la vostra vita. Non per rafforzare la nostra sicurezza nazionale. Ma per servire l’unico cliente che abbia mai avuto: se stesso. E sappiamo come sarebbe un secondo mandato di Trump. È tutto scritto nel “Progetto 2025”. Scritto dai suoi più stretti consiglieri. E il suo scopo è quello di riportare il nostro Paese nel passato. Ma l’America non tornerà indietro. Non torneremo a quando Donald Trump ha cercato di tagliare la Sicurezza Sociale e il Medicare. Non torneremo a quando ha cercato di eliminare l’Affordable Care Act.

Quando le compagnie assicurative potevano rifiutare le persone con condizioni preesistenti. Non gli permetteremo di eliminare il Dipartimento dell’Istruzione che finanzia le nostre scuole pubbliche. Non gli permetteremo di porre fine a programmi come Head Start, che forniscono assistenza prescolare e all’infanzia. America, non torneremo indietro. Stiamo tracciando un percorso. Una. nuova. strada. In avanti. Verso un futuro con una classe media forte e in crescita. Perché sappiamo che una classe media forte è sempre stata fondamentale per il successo dell’America. E costruire questa classe media sarà un obiettivo fondamentale della mia presidenza. È una questione personale per me. La classe media è il luogo da cui provengo. Mia madre teneva un bilancio rigoroso. Vivevamo con i nostri mezzi. Tuttavia, volevamo poco. E si aspettava che sfruttassimo al massimo le opportunità che ci venivano offerte. E che fossimo grati per averle avute. Perché le opportunità non sono disponibili per tutti.

Ecco perché creeremo quella che io chiamo un’economia delle opportunità. Un’economia delle opportunità in cui tutti abbiano la possibilità di competere e di avere successo. Sia che viviate in una zona rurale, in un piccolo paese o in una grande città. Da Presidente, riunirò lavoratori e lavoratrici, piccoli imprenditori e imprenditrici, aziende americane. Per creare posti di lavoro. Per far crescere la nostra economia. E ridurre il costo dei bisogni quotidiani. Come l’assistenza sanitaria. L’alloggio. E i generi alimentari. Noi forniremo l’accesso al capitale ai proprietari di piccole imprese, agli imprenditori e ai fondatori. Metteremo fine alla carenza di alloggi in America. E proteggeremo la sicurezza sociale e Medicare. Confrontatelo con Donald Trump. Non combatte per la classe media. Combatte invece per se stesso e per i suoi amici miliardari. Darà loro un’altra serie di sgravi fiscali, che aggiungeranno 5.000 miliardi di dollari al debito nazionale.

E nel frattempo, intende promulgare quella che, di fatto, è un’imposta nazionale sulle vendite – chiamiamola pure tassa Trump – che aumenterebbe i prezzi per le famiglie della classe media di quasi 4 mila dollari all’anno. Ebbene, invece di un aumento delle tasse di Trump, approveremo una riduzione delle tasse per la classe media di cui beneficeranno più di 100 milioni di americani. Amici, credo che l’America non possa essere veramente prospera se gli americani non sono pienamente in grado di prendere decisioni sulla propria vita. Soprattutto per quanto riguarda le questioni di cuore e di casa. Ma stasera, troppe donne in America non sono in grado di prendere queste decisioni. Chiariamo come siamo arrivati a questo punto.

Donald Trump ha scelto i membri della Corte Suprema degli Stati Uniti per togliere la libertà riproduttiva. E ora se ne vanta. Cito le sue parole: “L’ho fatto, e sono orgoglioso di averlo fatto”. Negli ultimi due anni ho viaggiato attraverso il nostro Paese. E le donne mi hanno raccontato le loro storie. Mariti e padri hanno condiviso le loro. Storie di donne che abortiscono in un parcheggio… di sepsi… di perdita della capacità di avere di nuovo figli… Tutto perché i medici hanno paura di finire in prigione per essersi presi cura dei loro pazienti. Coppie che cercano di far crescere la loro famiglia tagliate fuori nel bel mezzo dei trattamenti di fecondazione in vitro. Giovani sopravvissute a violenze sessuali, potenzialmente costrette a portare a termine la gravidanza. Questo è ciò che sta accadendo nel nostro Paese. A causa di Donald Trump. E capite, non ha ancora finito. Come parte del suo programma, lui e i suoi alleati vorrebbero limitare l’accesso al controllo delle nascite, vietare l’aborto farmacologico e promulgare un divieto di aborto a livello nazionale, con o senza il Congresso. E, sentite questa, ha intenzione di creare un’associazione nazionale Nazionale Anti-Aborto e costringere gli Stati a riferire sugli aborti spontanei e gli aborti delle donne.

In poche parole. Sono fuori di testa. E bisogna chiedersi: perché esattamente non si fidano delle donne? Ebbene. Noi ci fidiamo delle donne. E quando il Congresso approverà una legge per ripristinare la libertà riproduttiva, come Presidente degli Stati Uniti, lo farò. Orgogliosamente firmerò la legge. In queste elezioni sono in gioco molte altre libertà fondamentali. La libertà di vivere al sicuro dalla violenza delle armi, nelle nostre scuole, comunità e luoghi di culto. La libertà di amare chi si ama apertamente e con orgoglio. La libertà di respirare aria pulita, bere acqua pulita e vivere liberi dall’inquinamento che alimenta la crisi climatica. E la libertà che sblocca tutte le altre: la libertà di votare. Con queste elezioni abbiamo finalmente l’opportunità di approvare il John Lewis Voting Rights Act e il Freedom to Vote Act. E voglio essere chiara: dopo decenni trascorsi nelle forze dell’ordine, conosco l’importanza della sicurezza, soprattutto al confine. L’anno scorso, Joe e io abbiamo riunito democratici e repubblicani per scrivere la legge sulle frontiere più efficace degli ultimi decenni. Ma Donald Trump ha ritienuto che un accordo sui confini avrebbe danneggiato la sua campagna elettorale.

Perciò ha ordinato ai suoi alleati al Congresso di bloccare l’accordo. Beh, mi rifiuto di fare politica con la nostra sicurezza. Ecco la mia promessa per voi: da Presidente riporterò la legge bipartisan sulla sicurezza delle frontiere che lui ha ucciso. E la firmerò. So che possiamo essere all’altezza della nostra orgogliosa eredità di nazione di immigrati e riformare il nostro sistema d’immigrazione in crisi. Possiamo creare un percorso di cittadinanza e rendere sicuro il nostro confine. America, dobbiamo anche essere fermi nel promuovere la nostra sicurezza e i nostri valori all’estero. Come Vicepresidente, ho affrontato le minacce alla nostra sicurezza, ho negoziato con i leader stranieri, ho rafforzato le nostre alleanze e mi sono impegnata con le nostre coraggiose truppe all’estero. Come Comandante in capo, farò in modo che l’America abbia sempre la forza di combattimento più forte e letale del mondo. Adempirò all’obbligo sacro di prendersi cura delle nostre truppe e delle loro famiglie.

Onorerò sempre, e non denigrerò mai, il loro servizio e il loro sacrificio. Farò in modo che guideremo il mondo nel futuro dello spazio e dell’intelligenza artificiale. – che l’America – e non la Cina – vinca la competizione per il XXI secolo. E farò in omdo di rafforzare – non di abdicare – la nostra leadership globale. Trump, invece, ha minacciato di abbandonare la NATO. Ha incoraggiato Putin a invadere i nostri alleati. Ha detto che la Russia può – cito testualmente – “fare quello che diavolo vuole”. Cinque giorni prima che la Russia attaccasse l’Ucraina, ho incontrato il Presidente Zelensky per avvertirlo del piano di invasione della Russia.

Ho contribuito a mobilitare una risposta globale – oltre 50 Paesi – per difendersi dall’aggressione di Putin. E come Presidente, sarò al fianco dell’Ucraina e dei nostri alleati della NATO. Per quanto riguarda la guerra a Gaza. Il Presidente Biden ed io stiamo lavorando 24 ore su 24 perché è il momento di trovare un accordo su ostaggi e cessate il fuoco. Voglio essere chiara: sosterrò sempre il diritto di Israele a difendersi e farò sempre in modo che Israele abbia la capacità di difendersi. Perché il popolo di Israele non deve mai più affrontare l’orrore che l’organizzazione terroristica Hamas ha causato il 7 ottobre. Comprese indicibili violenze sessuali e il massacro di giovani a un festival musicale. Allo stesso tempo, ciò che è accaduto a Gaza negli ultimi 10 mesi è devastante. Tante vite innocenti perse. Persone disperate e affamate che fuggono per salvarsi, ancora e ancora.

L’entità della sofferenza è straziante. Il Presidente Biden e io stiamo lavorando per porre fine a questa guerra in modo che Israele sia al sicuro, gli ostaggi siano liberati, le sofferenze a Gaza finiscano e il popolo palestinese possa realizzare il suo diritto alla dignità, sicurezza, alla libertà e all’autodeterminazione. E sappiate questo: non esiterò mai a intraprendere qualsiasi azione necessaria per difendere le nostre forze e i nostri interessi dall’Iran e dai terroristi che sostiene. E non mi accodo con tiranni e dittatori come Kim-Jong-Un, che fanno il tifo per Trump. Perché sanno che è facile da manipolare con lusinghe e favori.

Sanno che Trump non riterrà gli autocrati responsabili, perché vuole essere un autocrate anche lui. Da Presidente, non esiterò mai a difendere la sicurezza e gli ideali dell’America. Perché, nella lotta senza quartiere tra democrazia e tirannia, so da che parte stare e a che parte appartengono gli Stati Uniti d’America. Amici americani, amo il nostro Paese con tutto il cuore. Ovunque vada – in chiunque incontri – vedo una nazione pronta ad andare avanti. Pronta per il prossimo passo, nell’incredibile viaggio che è l’America. Vedo un’America in cui teniamo fede all’impavida convinzione che ha costruito la nostra nazione.

Che ha ispirato il mondo. La convinzione che qui, in questo Paese, tutto è possibile. Che niente è fuori portata. Che in America in cui ci prendiamo cura gli uni degli altri, ci preoccupiamo gli uni degli altri e riconosciamo che abbiamo in comune molto più di ciò che ci separa. Che nessuno di noi deve fallire perché tutti noi abbiamo successo. E che l’unione fa la forza. I nostri avversari in questa corsa sono là fuori, ogni giorno, a denigrare l’America. Parlando di quanto tutto sia terribile. Mia madre aveva un’altra lezione da impartire. Non lasciare mai che qualcuno ti dica chi sei. Mostrate loro chi siete. America, mostriamo agli altri – e al mondo – chi siamo. E cosa rappresentiamo. Libertà. Opportunità. Compassione. Dignità. Equità. E possibilità infinite. Siamo gli eredi della più grande democrazia della storia. E a nome dei nostri figli e nipoti, e di tutti coloro che hanno sacrificato così tanto per la nostra libertà, dobbiamo essere degni di questo momento. Ora tocca a noi fare ciò che le generazioni precedenti hanno fatto.

Guidati dall’ottimismo e dalla fede, lottare per questo Paese che amiamo. Lottare per gli ideali che ci stanno a cuore. E sostenere l’enorme responsabilità che deriva dal più grande privilegio sulla Terra. Il privilegio e l’orgoglio di essere americani. Quindi, scendiamo in campo e combattiamo per questo. Scendiamo in campo e votiamo per questo. E insieme, scriviamo il prossimo grande capitolo della storia più straordinaria mai raccontata.

Grazie. Dio vi benedica. Che Dio benedica gli Stati Uniti d’America.

Elezioni USA 2024: ora è Kamala Harris contro Donald Trump

dal Podcast La politica americana vista da Houston

Nella quarta puntata del podcast, Tony Quattrone, responsabile dei democratici USA in Italia dal marzo 2015 al marzo 2017 e attivista democratico a Houston, Texas, racconta gli eventi che stanno caratterizzando le elezioni presidenziali USA. Sono successe molte nell’ultimo mese, dal 27 giugno 2024, quando si è svolto il dibattito tra Joe Biden e Donald Trump, ad oggi, 26 luglio 2024 — eventi e decisioni che hanno dato una svolta decisiva alla campagna elettorale presidenziale USA. La nomina di Donald Trump come candidato presidenziale repubblicano è stata formalizzata nella Convention Repubblicana che si è svolta a Milwaukee dal 15 al 18 luglio, immediatamente dopo l’attentato del 14 luglio 2024 contro l’ex presidente. Il 21 luglio 2024, il presidente Joe Biden si è ritirato dalla campagna elettorale, spianando la via al suo vice, Kamala Harris, per diventare la candidata democratica alla presidenza. I repubblicani stanno ora ricalibrando la loro campagna elettorale che era totalmente concentrata su come sconfiggere Joe Biden. I democratici lavorano, invece, per ricostruire la grande coalizione che aveva dato la vittoria a Biden nel 2020.