Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi advocates for unity in DNC speech

CHICAGO, IL — On Thursday night, moments before Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her groundbreaking nomination, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) delivered a compelling speech at the Democratic National Convention, held at the United Center in Chicago. His address came at a crucial time, just hours before Harris would make history as the first Indian American to be nominated for President by a major party.

Krishnamoorthi, who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, shared his insights on the international challenges facing the United States. He emphasized that Harris is uniquely qualified to effectively unite the nation to compete against China and other foreign adversaries.

Highlighting the stakes involved, Krishnamoorthi referenced a book by a high-ranking Chinese leader titled “America Against America.” He explained, “They [China] know the only way they’ll beat America is if we beat ourselves.” He criticized former President Donald Trump’s approach to China, particularly his propensity for initiating trade wars and reducing domestic programs essential for worker training, which according to Krishnamoorthi, plays into China’s strategy by fostering internal division within the United States.

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“But we’re not going back,” Krishnamoorthi declared, rallying the convention attendees. He cited Harris’s ethos, “When we fight we win,” to reinforce the message that unity is the most potent weapon against external threats. “She knows that when we fight as one country… We win! When we fight as one team… We win!”

The significance of Krishnamoorthi’s speech was underscored by the presence of his parents in the audience, who share their heritage with Harris’s family, originating from Tamil Nadu, India. This personal connection highlighted the historic nature of the evening, not just for Harris but for the representation of South Asians in American politics.

As the only other South Asian speaker on the nomination night, Krishnamoorthi’s presence was a profound statement on the growing influence and participation of Indian Americans and other South Asians in the U.S. political landscape.