Kamala Harris looks and sounds like a president — so much so that you almost forget that if she wins she will be the first woman to hold the office. From her impeccably tailored suits to the authority in her voice to her confidence and ease in the spotlight, this is a person who is clearly ready to take on the most powerful job in the world.

Harris' acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night was pitch perfect, filled with warm biographical details in the beginning before becoming deeper and more serious as she talked about the issues facing the country, the threat from Donald Trump and America's place in the world. She is a mature, confident, leader who sounds optimistic, patriotic and strong.

The fact is that from the moment Trump was inaugurated in 2017, Democrats have been pragmatically working together in ways thought impossible just a few years ago.

The convention was, for the most part, a big, fun love fest with the party celebrating in relief that it has a good chance to beat Donald Trump with the new Harris-Walz ticket and enjoying the more positive, hopeful feelings it offers after years of dealing with the darkness of Trump, pandemics and economic stress. There was lots of humor and lighthearted banter as well as some sentimental, respectful send-offs to the old guard as the new generation took over. It was, to quote the overused word this week, joyful.

With some serious turns about women's experiences with the new abortion laws and gun violence, it was mostly upbeat. as best exemplified by Gov. Tim Walz's stirring pep talk and the open love of his family when he accepted his nomination........

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