US elections, Kamala people united by a bet: it's Madame President time

Fowles, an executive in a fast food giant, believes that a crucial state like his Georgia with Harris 'could be blue in November', the colour of the Democratic party. He recalls the long and difficult battle for civil rights in the southern state, which is not over, and the legacy to be defended 'of economic development and infrastructure projects of the Biden administration, which have been good for Georgia'.

He estimates that there are 100,000 volunteers at work in his state alone. Schorr, who fresh out of college and leads the Young Democrats in Georgia, adds that for him the key is that "Harris and Walz recognise the threat posed by Trump and Vance, and instead of promoting hatred they are pushing hope".

Ohio's Seller cites 'the increase in enthusiasm and people who have now become available to campaign' and if he sees his state unlikely to be won by Democrats in the presidential election, he hopes to at least re-elect influential Dem Senator Sharrod Brown.

Alskins, from Canada, sees the election with high stakes 'especially for women' and points out that in a contested election votes from abroad 'can make a difference in many states'. Flexer, the senator from Connecticut, is convinced that the Democratic Party today 'embraces and represents the broader American values, the issues of individual liberty ranging from abortion to voting rights'. Washington State's Taylor considers the historic nature of Harris's candidacy, due to her African American and Asian roots: 'She is the most qualified and I'm really optimistic. I think it's an extraordinary time to be in politics. To stand up for economic justice, the needs of families, access to healthcare for women and communities'.

Stern, digital producer and executive editor Occupy Democrats (which calls itself a left-leaning site on Facebook), sees a party capable of renewing itself by opening up to content creators such as himself, who number over 200 here compared to 70 at the Republican Convention. And they can offer, in his view, a more immediate and less filtered perspective than traditional media, capable of reaching new segments of voters, young, Gen Z, and old. Numerous infuencers spoke during the Convention. "We can get the message across faster and more explicitly on hot-button issues, from climate change to healthcare," says Stern. "And it's important that the party, that Harris and Walz, have begun to recognise our role, the ability to reach new audiences."

Alward, the uncommitted delegate from New Jersey, thus not officially siding with Harris over the thorny concerns over Gaza that have fed internal tensions, is also hopeful. A lawyer by training and a small businessman, he hopes to eventually vote for her and support her. "I don't think the party is really split on Gaza, the majority of Democrats want a ceasefire and humanitarian solutions." He adds that there are problems, that he wants to 'push for an arms embargo on Israel and for changes in foreign policy, for Palestinian rights, for more action than words'. But he says he is 'satisfied' with the convention.