Fergus Finlay: I’ve seen plenty of angry and bitter campaigns — Harris brings joy

'I love to hate my opponents. Or maybe I’m just fashioned by years of bitter experience to believe that all campaigns have to be about fighting.'

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Picture: AP

I’m an old fashioned political campaigner. I’ve never been as excited at the idea of a campaign as I am right now. In all my years I’ve never even heard of the notion that Kamala Harris and her people have adopted. A campaign of joy — did you ever hear the like?

I don’t know whether it’s deliberate or accidental. I first heard the expression when she introduced Tim Walz as her Vice-Presidential choice, and in thanking her, he said “thank you for bringing back the joy”. I think it was spontaneous, but it struck so deep a chord that from that moment on they’ve been fashioning a movement based on joy.