Beyonce didn’t show, but that was where the let-downs ended on Thursday night for Kamala Harris.

The Vice President formally accepted the Democratic party’s nomination for the presidency of the United States, and introduced herself to the wider American public as an avatar for their middle-class dreams.

And - oh yes - she also introduced herself as the kind of woman who lifts the roof off the United Center in Chicago using only the power of words.

Ms Harris ended her 48-minute speech to 20,000 party faithful, and the millions watching at home, by laying out the stakes in November’s election with an eloquence that many - let’s face it, most - thought was beyond her:  

'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.'

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National ConventionDemocratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention (Image: Brynn Anderson)

Somewhere in American icon heaven John K Kennedy and MLK tipped their caps, while every other political hack in the decades since, president to councilman, dead and still alive, turned a  sickly shade of Brat green. 

This was Kamala’s moment. The rest of us, for one night at least, just lived in it, even the folks over on Fox News, who took a five-minute break from their  preposterous “Comrade Kamala”  schtick to grudgingly acknowledge the Democratic candidate had by some miracle vaulted the subterranean expectations they had set for her.  

Of course Mr Angry of Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, was having none of it. “Worst speech ever,’’ typed Donald Trump into the black void of the social media network he owns, Truth Social.   

Dorothy Parker, eat your heart out.  

The former President’s dark mood is a permanent state these days and no wonder. The polls  have been moving against him since Harris replaced Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket a month ago and he spent the hours running up to last night’s  speech reading a slew of fresh surveys showing the gap between himself and his opponent growing ever wider. 

Still, Harris’ appearance before the convention offered him hope. She had never faced such a high stakes moment in her political life before. She could fall victim to nerves or sloppy preparation.

Balloons are released after Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris spokeBalloons are released after Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris spoke (Image: (Mike Segar/Pool/AP))

She could freeze. Misspeak. Say something that could be provably false, or at least could be twisted into a facsimile of a lie. Trump doesn’t need a lot to work with, remember,  just ask the international criminal mastermind and candidate for the electric chair  who helped Hillary Clinton set up an email account. 

Alas for Trump, Harris did none of the above.  On the personal, she laid out the story of her upbringing in Oakland, California, the elder of two daughters to immigrant parents, as a quintessential American story. “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.” 

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She became a lawyer, which for anyone keeping score ranks amongst the least trusted professions in America, right inbetween - look it up - journalists and insurance salesman. Not the way Harris told it, though. “My entire career, I have only had one client,” she said. “The people.” 

She was strong on policy but light on policy details, understandable so. Party convention speeches  are for rallying  the troops, not for putting them to sleep.

There are 74 days until the election, the thinking goes, plenty of time to throw some meat to the wonks. In the meantime, her placeholder gave Trump very little to chew on. 

“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.” 

Donald Trump was less impressed with the speech Donald Trump was less impressed with the speech (Image: PA)

And of course she had words for her opponent, none of them flattering. “Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.” 

As if to prove her point, the man himself popped up again on Truth Social to make a point of extreme national and international importance:  “(Tim) Walz was an ASSISTANT Coach, not a COACH.” 

Poor old Donald. On this night of American political nights, he brought a pea-shooter to a tank battle.