Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her presidential campaign with a rally in Wilmington, Delaware, just a day after President Joe Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election. Harris’s campaign has already garnered significant support, reportedly sufficient to secure her the Democratic nomination, according to CNN.
Harris wasted no time in targeting former President Donald Trump, promising to defeat him in the upcoming November election. In her first campaign speech, she labeled Trump, 78, as a “predator” and a “fraud,” boldly declaring, “We will win.”
Reflecting on the whirlwind start to her campaign, Harris acknowledged the emotional roller coaster, saying, “I know we are all filled with mixed emotions about this. I love Joe Biden,” from the campaign headquarters in Wilmington. She committed to making abortion rights a central issue of her campaign, warning that Trump would impose an abortion ban nationwide if given the chance.
Before Harris took the stage, President Biden, still recovering from COVID-19, spoke via phone from his vacation home, where he had announced his withdrawal from the race. His doctor reported that he was nearly symptom-free. Biden praised Harris, calling her “the best” and reaffirmed that his decision to step down was “the right one.” Harris, in turn, lauded Biden’s unprecedented record in modern history.
Harris’s campaign speech came after she swiftly secured critical endorsements, positioning herself strongly ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August. Prominent supporters include Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Wes Moore of Maryland, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois. CNN reported that she has already gained the necessary delegate support to be named the Democratic nominee.
Additionally, she has received backing from political heavyweights such as Hillary and Bill Clinton, and progressive leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Even Joe Manchin, the independent senator from West Virginia known for his conservative views, declared he would not run for president, further consolidating support for Harris.
The Democratic National Convention will see 3,936 delegates convene in Chicago from August 19 to 22 to finalize their presidential candidate for the November 5 election. With a majority of delegates initially supporting Biden, Harris needs 1,969 delegates to secure the nomination. Following Biden’s endorsement, Harris’s campaign has experienced a surge in donations, breaking fundraising records within hours of the announcement.
Harris’s campaign team is diligently reaching out to delegates to ensure a strong showing at the convention. The campaign is optimistic, with many anticipating that Harris will secure the nomination by the end of the week.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s campaign is off to a vigorous start, fortified by critical endorsements and a robust campaign infrastructure. With her eyes set on defeating Donald Trump, Harris is poised to lead the Democratic Party into the 2024 presidential election.