The Democratic National Convention this week was nothing but a spectacle. Endless platitudes about freedom, values, love, America, patriotism, hope, unity – “putting an end to Trump” and “turning hate into hope.” The implicit message: Don’t think too long about whether Kamala Harris could be a good president.

But beyond the hype, people are wondering: What could America’s first female commander in chief do in office? Some dared to believe Harris might tell us in her acceptance speech – the most meaningful moment of her political career.

And to some extent, she did that last night. Harris may be an empty vessel – but last night she was surprisingly good. She spoke confidently, her delivery was fluid and sounded more authoritative than usual. She laughed once or twice, but she left out her infamous, annoying cackle.

It started with the personal. After paying tribute to the “inspirational” character of Joe Biden and praising her vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, the woman who has served as vice president for nearly four years reintroduced herself to the nation. “America, the path that has brought me here in the last few weeks has undoubtedly been unexpected,” she said, which was at least honest. “But I am no stranger to improbable journeys.”

She spoke about her mother, Shyamala Harris, who “traveled the world alone, from India to California with the unwavering dream of becoming the scientist who would cure breast cancer.” She also praised her father and talked about her parents’ divorce.

And she talked about Wanda, her best friend from school, who was sexually abused by her stepfather. “That’s one of the reasons I became a prosecutor, because I believe everyone has a right to safety, dignity and justice.” She said she has only ever had “one client – the people.” Donald Trump, she later added, “has only one client – himself.”

There were several other sections aimed at Trump. “Donald Trump is an untrustworthy man,” Harris said. “But the consequences of Donald Trump returning to the White House are extremely serious.” She urged her audience to “think about the power (Trump) will have – especially after the Supreme Court of the United States just ruled that he is immune from criminal prosecution.”

Harris then turned away from Trump and toward the people who might vote for her because they despise Trump. “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.”

She repeatedly spoke of finding a “new way forward” that would leave the bitterness and division of the past behind, as if she had never been in government. She said she would create an “opportunity economy” in which “lots of homes” would be built. She promised a “middle-class tax cut” that would benefit millions of Americans.

Of course, she promised to sign legislation protecting abortion. She stressed that she would “protect the border” – a bold promise given her disastrous record as “border czar” in the first year of Biden’s presidency.

And to counter criticism that she was a lightweight in foreign policy, she promised to demonstrate America’s military power – “the deadliest … in the world” – and stand up to Vladimir Putin.

On Gaza, Harris sought to appeal to both the pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions of the party. She said she and Joe Biden would work “around the clock” on a ceasefire. She defended Israel’s right to self-defense while pledging to support the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. The crowd enthusiastically applauded both positions.

Then it was back to the platitudes. “Wherever I go, I see a nation ready to move forward,” she said. “None of us have to fail for all of us to succeed.” She praised “the privilege and pride of being an American” and concluded, “Let’s write the next chapter of the greatest story ever told.”

It was, fittingly, the most important speech of the entire party conference. But that doesn’t mean much.