Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation for the first time since President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election in 2024. Despite Biden’s endorsement, Harris did not declare herself the presumptive Democratic nominee but emphasized her commitment to uniting the party.
Biden’s Endorsement and Party Reaction
Biden, 81, endorsed Harris, 59, in a statement announcing his decision to step down. However, prominent Democrats like former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have not yet backed her. Additionally, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a potential challenger, has also withheld his endorsement.
In her statement, Harris expressed her honor in receiving Biden’s endorsement and reiterated her intention to earn and win the Democratic nomination.
Harris’s Full Statement
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.”
“It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe’s leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.”
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.”
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) plans to hold a virtual vote on the nomination in early August to meet the Ohio ballot-access deadline on August 7. However, voting could be reopened at the party’s August 19-22 convention in Chicago if opposition to Harris’s candidacy grows.
Biden’s Decision Shocks Political Landscape
Biden’s withdrawal has sent shockwaves through the political world. His announcement follows weeks of pressure from prominent Democrats and donors after a challenging debate performance. In a letter posted on X, Biden admitted that stepping down was in the “best interest of my party and country.” He intends to serve out the remainder of his term and will address the nation in more detail later this week.
As the Democratic Party navigates this sudden shift, potential candidates like Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Pritzker, and Newsom may soon emerge, setting the stage for a dramatic and high-stakes election season.
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