‘AWESOME PRIVILEGE’

Kam accepts VP nom

America met the woman who would be vice president Wednesday night, as Sen. Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention formally accepted her party’s nomination as Joe Biden’s running mate.

Both opening and closing the third night of the DNC, the California lawmaker urged voters to leave nothing to chance in November, as she portrayed a nation at a crossroads.

“In this election, we have a chance to change the course of history,” she said, live-addressing not a packed convention center, but a Wilmington, Del., hall sparsely populated as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re all in this fight,” said Harris. “You, me and Joe — together.

“What an awesome responsibility. What an awesome privilege.”

In accepting the nomination, Harris became just the third woman nominated for vice president by a major party — and the first of both black and South Asian heritage.

“That I am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me,” Harris said. “Women and men who believed so fiercely in the promise of equality, liberty and justice for all . . . Without fanfare or recognition, they organized, testified, rallied, marched and fought — not just for their vote, but for a seat at the table.”

Harris, 55, was joined onstage by a beaming Biden at the conclusion of her remarks, albeit at a safe social distance of six feet.

The former California state prosecutor also opened the evening with brief remarks on the importance of casting a ballot this fall — and raised questions about President Trump’s vocal opposition to mail-in voting.

“I think we need to ask ourselves, why they don’t want us to vote?” she said. “Why is there so much effort to silence our voices?

“The answer is because when we vote, things change. When we vote, things get better.”

Other speakers included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Trump.

“For four years, people have said to me, ‘I didn’t realize how dangerous he [Trump] was.’ ‘I wish I could go back and do it over.’ Or worse, ‘I should have voted,’ ” said Clinton in pretaped remarks. “Well, this can’t be another ‘woulda coulda shoulda’ election.

“Don’t forget, Joe and Kamala can win by 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me.”