Biden calls before Harris' campaign appearance at headquarters
With a speech to Joe Biden's previous campaign team, Kamala Harris warms up for the campaign. Biden himself checks in telephonically from Covid isolation - and stirs some of his former staff to tears.
US-President Joe Biden made a telephonic appearance during Kamala Harris' visit to the Democrats' campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. "If I didn't have Covid, I'd be right here with you", Biden told the campaign team. He also expressed supportive words for Harris to the attendees: "I know Kamala can hear me and she'll speak to you soon", Biden said. "Hug her. She's the best."
The 81-year-old acknowledged that the news of his withdrawal from the presidential candidacy came as a surprising and difficult pill to swallow for the campaign team. However, he believed he had made the right decision. Some members of his campaign staff were moved to tears during his call.
"Though the name at the top has changed, the mission hasn't", Biden emphasized, looking ahead to the upcoming weeks. "I'll be completely involved", he announced. "I'll be out there campaigning with Kamala", he said. "I'll be working like a wild man, both as the sitting president to get laws passed, as well as in the campaign." He was determined to accomplish as much as possible in his remaining term, both in foreign and domestic policy.
It was the first time since his withdrawal from the presidential race that the voice of the President was heard publicly. His decision had been announced in writing. According to his doctor, the President was on the road to recovery from his Corona infection. Unclear is when he will return to Washington to the White House.
Harris focuses on reproductive rights
Following Biden's call, Kamala Harris spoke and outlined the key points of her political agenda. In addition to strengthening the middle class and stricter gun control, she intends to put reproductive rights in the spotlight of her campaign. "We will fight for reproductive freedom, knowing that Trump, if given the chance, will sign a abortion ban to ban abortions in every single (federal) state", Harris said in her first campaign speech.
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, compared Harris to "thieves" and "liars". In reference to her time as District Attorney in California, she said: "In this role, I have dealt with all kinds of criminals. Thieves who have victimized women. (...) Liars who have broken the rules for their own benefit." She knew what Trump was like, Harris said.
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride, Harris told the campaign team, which she intends to keep working for Biden. "I just have to say, I love Joe Biden", Harris continued and said: "We will win."
- During the United States Presidential Election 2024, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris advocated strongly for abortion rights, stating, "We will fight for reproductive freedom, knowing that Donald Trump, if given the chance, will sign a bill to ban abortions in every single federal state."
- Despite Donald Trump's criticisms, calling Harris "thieves" and "liars," she remained steadfast in her support for Joe Biden, noting, "I just have to say, I love Joe Biden. We will win."
- Interestingly, during the campaign for the 2024 presidential election, former President Joe Biden voiced his continued commitment to his vice president, Kamala Harris, saying, "I'll be out there campaigning with Kamala, I'll be working like a wild man, both as the sitting president to get laws passed, as well as in the campaign."
