WASHINGTON Standing at a podium at the same park where former President Donald Trump whipped up the mob that would attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris promised to protect democracy not just for its own sake, but so Americans can afford good lives and have the freedom to control their own bodies.

Amid a heated debate among Democrats over just how much Harris should play to fears about Trumps authoritarian instincts, Harris found a way, in a speech billed as her closing argument a week before Election Day, to depict Trumps focus on personal grievances and retribution as both a threat to the countrys future and an obstacle to the actual work of serving the public.

In less than 90 days, either Donald Trump or I will be in the Oval Office, Harris told a crowd that her campaign estimated was 75,000 strong. On Day 1, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in, with a to-do list full of priorities on what I will get done for the American people. And I will work with everyone Democrats, Republicans and independents to help Americans who are working hard and still struggling to get ahead.

Harris conjured the image of her single mother sitting at their yellow Formica table with a cup of tea as she went through the bills. Its an experience Harris shares with many other Americans, and one she said would inform her priorities in office.

Donald Trumps answer to you is the same as before: another trillion dollars in tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations, Harris said. And this time, he will pay for it with a 20% national sales tax on everything you buy that is imported, clothes, food, toys, cell phones: a Trump sales tax that would cost the average family nearly $4,000 a year.

Trump would also add to families health care costs by repealing the Affordable Care Act, she continued, before setting up one of her stump speechs trademark lines: We are not going back, she said, prompting the crowd to break out in chants of not going back.

Donald Trump will deliver tax cuts to his billionaire donors, Harris added. I will deliver tax cuts to working people and the middle class. I will make sure you have a chance to not just get by but get ahead, because I believe in honoring the dignity of work.

Harris then went through a detailed list of her economic policy priorities: building millions of new homes; providing $25,000 in aid for first-time home buyers; creating a $6,000 child tax credit for the parents of newborns; and expanding Medicare to cover long-term care for seniors.

The setting and scenery of Harris speech aimed to give her the patriotic high ground over Trump while helping voters picture her as the commander-in-chief. Harris spoke on a large stage on the south side of the White House, with its lit portico visible directly behind her. Two large signs that bore the word FREEDOM stood at either side. The sea of people listening to her remarks stretched all the way down to the National Monument, which was surrounded by thousands of Harris supporters and some protesters of Israels war in Gaza.

To drive the point home, Harris portrayed herself and her agenda truer heirs to the American Revolution than Trump.

Nearly 250 years ago, America was born when we wrested freedom from a petty tyrant, Harris said. Across the generations, Americans have preserved that freedom, expanded it, and in so doing, proved to the world that a government of, by, and for the people is strong and can endure.