In a significant political development, Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered support from a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, positioning her as the presumptive nominee for president next month. Multiple sources confirmed this shift on Monday.
President Joe Biden, citing concerns over his age and health, withdrew from the race on Sunday and endorsed Harris. He assured his commitment to serving out his term until January 20, 2025.
An Associated Press survey revealed Harris has the backing of 2,538 delegates, comfortably surpassing the 1,976 needed to clinch the nomination. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison confirmed that the party will officially announce their nominee by August 7.
While delegates have until August 7 to alter their positions, the AP survey indicated that no other candidates received votes, and 57 delegates remained undecided.
Harris made her first public appearance following the announcement, delivering a spirited campaign speech on Monday. She vowed to challenge Republican nominee Donald Trump with the same tenacity she exhibited as a prosecutor.
“I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain,” Harris declared. “So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type. In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his.”
Karoline Leavitt, the national press secretary for Trump’s campaign, responded by criticizing Harris’ competence and liberal stance. “Kamala Harris is just as incompetent as Joe Biden and even more liberal,” Leavitt stated. “She needs to defend Joe Biden’s failed agenda and her weak-on-crime record in California.”
Trump faces sentencing in September for falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to a porn star. Additionally, he is charged with attempting to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory, which he falsely attributes to fraud.
President Biden, currently recovering from COVID-19 in Delaware, made a hoarse yet supportive call to Harris’ campaign event. He expressed confidence in his decision to withdraw from the race.
Harris, 59, outlined her presidential agenda, promising to protect abortion rights, ban assault rifles, and focus on rebuilding the middle class.
Following Biden’s endorsement, Harris quickly consolidated Democratic support, securing commitments from hundreds of delegates and raising a record $81 million within 24 hours. High-profile endorsements followed, including from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the AFL-CIO labor union federation.
Potential challengers like Governors Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, and Andy Beshear have also rallied behind Harris. Whitmer announced her role as co-chair of Harris’ campaign via a post on X.
Biden’s withdrawal follows a tumultuous campaign period, marked by his poor performance in the June 27 debate against Trump and the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump.
At a White House event honoring college athletes, Harris praised Biden’s legacy. “Joe Biden’s legacy over the last three years is unmatched in modern history,” she said.
Harris is scheduled to visit Milwaukee on Tuesday, a key city in the battleground state of Wisconsin, which recently hosted the Republican National Convention, highlighting Trump’s influence over his party.
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