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Kamala Harris will deliver a call for national unity in the biggest speech of her life in Chicago on Thursday as she accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president and makes her case for the election to tens of millions of television viewers across the United States.

Campaign officials say the vice president will use her prime-time appearance to share her personal story and policy vision, contrasting with Donald Trump, as she tries to reassure Americans choose She is the first female president of the country.

“This election gives our country a precious but fleeting opportunity to leave behind the bitterness, cynicism and strife of the past,” Harris will say, according to prepared remarks released by her campaign.

“I know there are people watching tonight who have all political views. And I want you to know that I promise to be a president for all Americans.”

Harris, a former trial lawyer, said she would “prosecute” the case against Trumpthe first former president to be convicted of a crime.

“In many ways, Donald Trump is not a serious man,” Harris will say, according to prepared remarks. “But the implications of Donald Trump returning to the White House are extremely serious.”

The Democratic National Convention speech will cap an unusual few weeks for Harris, who succeeded Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee after he ended his re-election bid and endorsed her.

The 59-year-old former U.S. senator has narrowed Biden's gap with Trump in the polls and now leads the Republican nationally and in swing-state polls that will determine the outcome of the race in November.

Money also has poured into Harris' campaign over the past four weeks amid a surge of enthusiasm among Democrats for her candidacy in what is expected to be the most expensive race in White House history.

It marks a significant rebound for the Californian, who has long been plagued by questions about her political acumen following her failed bid for the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Despite the enthusiasm in Chicago, party leaders including former President Barack Obama warned Democrats that Harris still faces a “tough race” with Trump, whose support in the Maga movement has only strengthened since the failed assassination attempt on him in July.

Harris will also have to navigate long-standing tensions among Democrats over the Biden administration's support for Israel's war in Gaza.

A heavy police presence in Chicago prevented thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters from approaching the arena or disrupting the events, but this week's events the biggest march is scheduled to coincide with Harris' acceptance speech on Thursday.

Some Democrats also remain bitter about the way Biden was forced out of the race. President defended his legacy in his speech on Monday, but left the conference immediately afterwards.

Harris, who has not given an interview since replacing Biden on the ticket, is also under pressure to lay out more detailed proposals on everything from the economy to immigration to foreign policy and show how she differs from him.

In her campaign, Harris has focused on a message of “freedom” — including reproductive rights — and warnings about the far-right “extremism” of a potential second Trump presidency.

These themes were on display at the DNC, with prime-time speakers including former first ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, and former President Bill Clinton. Celebrities such as TV personality Oprah Winfrey and musician Stevie Wonder also addressed the crowd.

Rumors swirled Thursday that several more celebrity surprise appearances would be made on the final night of the convention, with many Democrats cheering speculation that Beyoncé would perform in support of Harris. Beyoncé's song “Freedom” has become a campaign anthem for Harris, often played in ads and on the campaign trail.

Harris' acceptance speech will be preceded by remarks from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Kelly's wife, former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt and a traumatic brain injury in 2011.