Should the baton be handed off to Kamala, as seems likely, I do think she should address a few things as part of her address to Americans.

First I'll back up and share some conversations that I have heard from some folks. These might be characterized as congregants from the Committee of Oh-My-God (always loved that line, DB) as well as those who pine for an idyllic Norman Rockwellesque vision of America (that frankly wasn't), but I get where they are coming from. Many of these people are genuinely bewildered by the PACE of change on so many fronts (cultural, demographic, economic, technological) that they are unmoored, adrift, and alternatingly frightened, or outraged, or just anxious. VP, and now candidate Harris, should genuinely acknowledge these people's states of mind, stressing that we're all in this together, that we can successfully adapt to this new world, and that she'll always be there to listen and calmly guide them, because honestly, they need someone to hold their hands in a sense. She should point out that some truly sinister forces, here and abroad, are seeking to exploit their fears and that we can't succumb to it, as lack of social cohesion leads nowhere good. Additionally, Harris should tout her role as a prosecutor, providing examples of the criminals who she has put behind bars. She should highlight the stark choice between her record of law enforcement results and the felon she's up against, and his lifetime's worth of criminality. By all means, she would have many other pressing issues to address, and different constituencies who need to hear different things, but I think it's vital that the valid concerns of these left-behind-folks be addressed, honestly, and on a sustained basis.  She can't of course win them all, but real inroads can be made.

Peter T.