A Diamond's Gotta Shine

Recapping the DNC (Kamala's Version)

This special edition newsletter will make a Long Story Short, giving you all the DNC highlights from the last four days!

Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted her nomination to be the Democratic candidate for president of the United States. In her speech she spoke about her legislative priorities, including safeguarding access to abortion and reproductive freedoms, ending gun violence, building the economy, protecting the environment, and expanding voting rights. She also spoke about her past, how her community helped raise her in the shadow of the Civil Rights movement, and her past work fighting for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She reminded us that “No one should be made to fight alone.”

At the end of her speech Kamala Harris spoke directly to the audience, saying "And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.” And, Dear Readers, we are ready to write that story in any way we can; whether it’s by phone banking, knocking on doors, or talking to our friends, we are ready to put Kamala Harris in the White House!

The Democratic National Convention, which kicked off on Monday in Chicago, was titled “For the People, For Our Future.” The main purpose of the DNC was for delegates to cast their votes to nominate Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the Democratic nominees for president and vice president. Even though this year’s live roll call was symbolic, each delegation brought their own flair, casting their votes while a state-specific song played (shoutout to Rhode Island, home of Holiday House, for playing Shake It Off)! There was also a stellar speaker lineup, with everyone from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr to daytime TV legend Oprah reminding us exactly what’s at stake this November.

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Here are some highlights from some of the other major speeches:

Michelle Obama told us to be Fearless:

“We cannot indulge our anxieties about whether this country will elect someone like Kamala instead of doing everything we can to get someone like Kamala elected.”

Barack Obama reminded us we’re not yet Out of the Woods:

“The other side knows it’s easier to play on people’s fears and cynicism. … That’s the easy path. We have a different task. Our job is to convince people that democracy can actually deliver.”

Doug Emhoff shared about his Lover:

“She finds joy in pursuing justice. She stands up to bullies just like my parents taught me to. And she likes to see people do well, but hates when they're treated unfairly. She believes this work requires a basic curiosity in just how people are doing. Her empathy is her strength.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez instructed us to Speak Now:

“America, when we knock on our neighbor’s door, organize our communities, and elect Kamala Harris to the presidency on November 5, we will send a loud message that the people of this nation will not go back. We choose a new path and open the door to a new day, one that is for the people and by the people. “

Hillary Clinton told us what she sees on The Other Side of the Door:

“Together, we’ve put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling. And tonight, tonight’s so close to breaking through once and for all. I want to tell you what I see through all those cracks and why it matters for each and every one of us. What do I see? I see freedom. … And you know what? On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and taking the oath of office as our 47th President of the United States. Because my friends, when a barrier falls for one of us, it falls, it falls and clears the way for all of us.”

Elizabeth Warren showed us why Kamala is a Superstar:

“We need Kamala Harris. This election is about your family and your future. I’ve seen Kamala Harris fight. I’ve seen her win. And when it comes to our families and our futures, Kamala Harris is someone we can trust.”

Joe Biden told us why Kamala Harris is the 1:

“She’ll be a president our children could look up to. She'll be a president respected by world leaders because she already is. She’ll be a president we can all be proud of. And she will be an historic president who puts her stamp on America’s future.”

Pete Buttigieg made sure we knew how Everything Has Changed:

“And yet, the makeup of our kitchen table, the existence of my family, is just one example of something that was literally impossible as recently as 25 years ago. … But that didn’t just happen, it was brought about through idealism and courage, through organizing and persuasion and storytelling, and yes, through politics. The right kind of politics. The kind of politics that can make an impossible dream into an everyday reality.”

Gretchen Whitmer reminded us why voting for Kamala shouldn’t even be a Question…?:

 “I know in a crisis we need someone strong enough to come up with a plan, to tell the truth, and bring people together. Right now, before the crisis, is when we get to choose. Why wouldn’t we choose the leader who’s tough, tested, and a total badass?”

Maxwell Frost reminded us about the importance of This Love:

 “Our patriotism is more than just some damn slogan on a hat. It’s about actually giving a damn about the people who live in this country. When you love someone, you want them to have clean air. When you love someone, you want them to have safe drinking water. And when you love someone you want them to have a dignified job.”

Tim Walz made us feel So High School:

“You know, you might not know it, but I haven’t given a lot of big speeches like this. But I have given a lot of pep talks. So let me finish with this, team. It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. But we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball. We’re driving down the field. And boy, do we have the right team. Kamala Harris is tough. Kamala Harris is experienced. And Kamala Harris is ready. Our job … is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and tackling. One inch at a time. One yard at a time. One phone call at a time. One door knock at a time. One $5 donation at a time.”

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So are you ready to do something, babe, say something, risk something to help elect Kamala Harris? We’ve got some ideas for you!

If watching the DNC has you fired up and wanting to volunteer, click here to get started on the Harris-Walz volunteer page. Or if you want to put the money in the bag to help the campaign, donate here.

Finally, don’t forget to make sure you’re registered to vote. And don’t regret the secret of us – sign up now to attend our Swifties for Kamala kickoff call this coming Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 7 pm ET! See you then!