Kamala Harris’s Concession Speech: A Concession of the Presidency but not the Values of America’s Democracy
Vice President Kamala Harris walks to the podium to deliver her concession speech for the 2024 election at Howard University on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 (Image courtesy of the Harris Campaign).
After a shocking loss, Vice President Kamala Harris’s concession speech relinquished the presidency but not the ideals that fueled her campaign. She encouraged the peaceful transition of power, respecting the due process of democracy and surely fortifying the unity of the American people. During her speech she encouraged her supporters to keep fighting to make the world a better place and reminded everyone that even if times seem dark, there is always light and that it is all going to be okay.
Article by Grace Sawyer, Assistant Chief White House Producer
WASHINGTON - Vice President Kamala Harris took to Howard’s stage Wednesday afternoon to address the nation after an unexpected and swift loss to Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 47th presidential election.
Early Wednesday morning, the swing state of Wisconsin's electoral college votes were awarded to Trump, pushing him over the 270 votes needed to win the presidency, bringing Harris’s historic 107 day campaign to an end. This effectively made Trump the first president elect that has been convicted of a felony and sets him up for an unprecedented non-consecutive second term while Harris fell short of becoming the first female president to hold office.
It was reported that after the statement yesterday evening that the Vice President had been prepared to give a speech encouraging her supporters to keep trusting in the process of democracy and trusting in her campaign. Instead she took to the stage and delivered a speech highlighting the freedom, opportunity and hope maintained by herself and the American people after a 226 to 291 electoral college loss.
Reflecting back on her historically short campaign, she noted that she was proud of it and the way she ran it. Tim Walz, her running mate, her family, her staff and other campaign workers were all thanked for their hard work during the campaign, which was focused on bringing people together through the love of the country.
She conceded the presidency but affirmed that she did not concede the fight for the ideals that fueled her race to the White House, including freedom, fairness, opportunity, dignity and national ideals that reflected America at its best. These were all ideals that she encouraged the American people to keep fighting for, telling them that it was not a time to give up but instead roll up their sleeves in order to organize, mobilize and stay engaged.
She spoke of fighting for pillars of her campaign including protecting a woman's right to choose, minimizing gun violence and fighting for the rule of law, ensuring everyone has fundamental rights and freedoms.
Harris admitted that with her unexpected defeat, many people were worried about America’s future, but they should have no fear. She told her supporters and the nation that she will engage in a peaceful transition of power and emphasized that “we must accept the results of this election.” She also admitted that she called Donald Trump before speaking to congratulate him and urge him to be the president of all Americans.
She continued reminding people that they don’t owe loyalty to a president or party, but instead to the Constitution and their own personal morals. This glimmering message of hope was only amplified by her assurance to the younger generation that everything was going to be ok. When everything seems dark, things like faith, optimism, service and truth can serve as light and guide people through these turbulent times.
Vice President Harris’s concession speech was not one of defeat but one filled with unwavering belief in the American spirit, potential and strength despite a failed attempt at presidency. Even with this loss, Harris continued to inspire her supporters by reminding them that “sometimes the fight takes a while” and reinforcing that the ideals present during her work in the White House as vice president and during her campaign for presidency continue to be worth fighting for.