Kamala Harris hits campaign trail as Republicans step up attack

Vice-President’s Kamala Harris made her first speech as a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination from the White House yesterday.

Harris paid tribute to Joe Biden’s integrity, his love for his country and his accomplishments during his time as president at an event to celebrate National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams.

Later, in Delaware at her campaign HQ, Harris took the opportunity to set out her vision for an America where every person has the “opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead”, and highlight her key policies such as restoring abortion rights and a ban on assault weapons.

She also focussed her attack on Donald Trump, saying he “wants to take our country backwards” and highlighted her time as a prosecutor when she took on perpetrators who abused women, fraudsters and cheaters.

“I know Donald Trump’s type”, she said to thunderous applause.

Harris receives key endorsements

Following on from receiving the immediate backing from President Biden, Kamala Harris has also had endorsements from senior figures across the Democratic Party.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker all rallied round her.

And potential rivals for the nomination including Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro and Pete Buttigieg also backed her for president.

She has also received support from the Clintons, but Barack Obama has yet to officially endorse her, the former president has often delayed endorsing any candidates until the last moment.

JD Vance: Biden bad, Harris a million times worse

On Monday, JD Vance – Donald Trump’s running mate in November’s election – held solo rallies in Ohio and Virginia. And he didn’t hold back.

“Now, history will remember Joe Biden as not just a quitter, which he is, but one of the worst presidents of the United States of America,” he said in Virginia.

“But my friends, Kamala Harris is a million times worse, and everybody knows it.”

He added: “And while we’re on the subject of Joe Biden, can anybody just admit that if Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he ain’t fit to serve as president of the United States either?

“If Kamala Harris is too blind or too corrupt to admit to the American people that Joe Biden should have never been in there, she’s not fit to serve either.”

After criticising Biden, Clooney endorses Harris

George Clooney has announced he is backing Kamala Harris for president, in a statement to CNN.

The actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser says “we are excited to do whatever we can” to support Harris in her “historic quest” for the top job. He also lauds President Biden for showing “true leadership”.

Earlier this month, Clooney issued a damming call for Biden to the quit the presidential race, saying “the one battle [Biden] cannot win is the fight against time”.

Clooney wrote in the New York Times that it was “devastating to say it”, but the Joe Biden he had recently met while fundraising was not the Biden of 2010 or of 2020.

He was the man “we witnessed at the debate” – referencing the president’s disastrous performance against Donald Trump at the end of June.

Where is Joe Biden?

Since dropping out for the US presidential race on Sunday – and backing Vice-President Kamala Harris – Joe Biden has not been seen publicly.

He has been isolating with Covid-19 at his Rehoboth beach home in Delaware. The president tested positive for the virus almost a week ago.

His “symptoms have almost resolved completely”, according to an update from his doctor, and we’re expecting him to return to the White House later on Tuesday.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

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