Kamala Harris rose to the occasion with a perfect nomination speech. I have never seen a candidate articulate their policy goals so precisely. The text was ideally suited to the electoral challenge she faces, and her speech radiated power and inspiration.

I have not hesitated to criticize the substantive merits or political wisdom of Harris’s decisions. I could find nothing in this speech that could be criticized.

Harris entered the convention with a tie or perhaps a very narrow lead. But she faces serious challenges. Many undecided voters know little about her or fear she is too liberal. Every word of her speech was aimed directly at allaying those concerns.

Harris describes herself in her biography as an ambitious child of strict immigrant parents who grew up in a working-class neighborhood. She explained that she was inspired to become a prosecutor because of her desire to protect others, which grew when a friend confided in her that she had been sexually abused at home.

She then talked about her career as a prosecutor, fighting against big banks and “the cartels that traffic drugs, weapons and people and threaten the security of our borders and our communities.”

Harris specifically promised to represent both Republicans and Democrats. “I know there are people watching tonight with different political views,” she said, “and I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans.” That may sound like simple rhetoric, but it contrasts with Trump’s overt partisanship as president, who regularly and openly favored politicians and areas that supported him.

More importantly, Harris has tirelessly portrayed herself as a reasonable, moderate candidate in this race. She described herself as a candidate “who is realistic, practical and reasonable.”

Her focus reflected this idea. Harris emphasized popular elements of her program: the protection of abortion rights and the promise to enact the border law negotiated with the “conservative Republicans.”

Harris described her economic goal as “an opportunity economy in which everyone has the chance to compete and succeed.” The idea of Opportunitywith its implication that people should control their own economic destiny, has long been a conservative motto. Harris stole it.

In addition to the obvious call to defend Medicare and Social Security, Harris promised: “I will bring together unions and workers, small business owners and entrepreneurs, and corporate America.” This is also a clear sign of her moderation.

Her attacks on Trump were targeted, pointing to his plans to raise taxes on all Americans through tariffs and to abolish the Department of Education – two of Trump’s most politically damaging ideas.

Harris’s arguments on foreign policy were intended to authenticate her as commander in chief for voters who wouldn’t necessarily imagine a woman in that role. (Several pre-speech segments featuring veterans and national security experts like Leon Panetta had the same goal.)

Harris’s delivery reinforced the message. She was energetic and confident. She sounded like a candidate who believes she can win and is planning a campaign relentlessly focused on that goal. The struggling junior candidate of 2019, who desperately tried to please progressive activists with social justice jargon, could not be a distant memory today. Harris is in it to win. And I believe she will.