US Democrats gather behind Vice President Harris after Biden's withdrawal
Biden counted among the politicians who considered running for the presidency instead of incumbent Joe Biden. "Let's win," it now read in her statement, which was also signed by the governors of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as Kentucky's Andy Beshear.
Shortly after, Pelosi joined the heavyweights behind Harris among the Democrats. "With great pride and boundless confidence for the future of our country, I endorse the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Presidency of the United States," declared the influential politician.
On Sunday, the 81-year-old Biden announced his resignation from the race due to health reasons and pledged his "full support" for Harris in the November election against Republican Donald Trump. Harris herself declared that she wanted to "earn and win" the nomination.
At her first public appearance after Biden's withdrawal, the 59-year-old did not address her sudden rise as a potential presidential candidate. Instead, she paid tribute to Biden's legacy at the White House event.
So far, the former senator has only received low approval ratings in the polls. During the early stages of her 2021 tenure as vice president, Harris had difficulties gaining a profile. However, during the campaign, she had already highlighted key issues such as reproductive rights alongside Biden.
Among Harris' supporters are now many influential figures within the party, including former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Approximately one-third of the Democratic senators, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and several governors, have expressed their support for Harris - including the governors of California and Pennsylvania, Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro, who were themselves considered Biden alternatives.
Financially, Harris' broad support was already noticeable: her campaign team reported that she had received 49.6 million dollars (around 45 million Euros) in donations since announcing her candidacy.
The Democrats are now preparing three and a half months before the US Presidential Election for a rushed nomination process. Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison announced a "transparent and orderly process" for the nomination.
Exactly how this will unfold is still uncertain: The candidate will be chosen by the delegates of the Democratic National Convention, which takes place from August 19-22 in Chicago. The basis for their vote should be the results of the primaries in the US states - which Biden won handily. The delegates now face the question of whom they will alternateatively choose.
It is possible that the voting for the candidate will now take place digitally before the party convention. The Democrats could thus avoid a month-long debate leading up to the convention and potentially avoid a legal issue in the crucial state of Ohio: There could be a deadline of August 7 for the naming of the presidential candidates, but the legal situation regarding this is not entirely clear.
Through Biden's about-face, the presidential election on November 5 could gain completely new dynamics: Instead of the unwelcome repeat of the duel between Trump and Biden from 2020, an exciting presidential campaign battle in the younger US history becomes possible.
The Republican candidate, former US President Trump, must realign his campaign focusing on Biden and his age and physical infirmities. Additionally, the 78-year-old Trump is now the oldest nominated presidential candidate in US history himself.
- Biden had initially considered contesting for the presidency against Joe Biden.
- In her statement, Gretchen Whitmer, along with governors from Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, endorsed Harris' presidency.
- On Sunday, Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race due to health reasons, giving his full support to Harris.
- At her first public event after Biden's withdrawal, Harris paid tribute to Biden's legacy instead of addressing her sudden rise.
- Despite low approval ratings, Harris had already highlighted key issues such as reproductive rights during the campaign.
- Hillary and Bill Clinton, along with many other influential Democrats, have expressed their support for Harris' presidency.
- The Democratic senators, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several governors, have expressed their support for Harris.
- Harris' campaign team reported receiving over 49 million dollars in donations since announcing her candidacy.
- The Democrats are now preparing for a rushed nomination process, with the presidential election scheduled for November 5.
- The candidate will be chosen by the delegates at the Democratic National Convention, which takes place in Chicago from August 19-22.
- As Biden won handily in the primaries, the delegates now face the question of whom to alternatively choose.
- The Republicans, led by former US President Trump, must realign their campaign focusing on Biden's age and physical infirmities, with Trump being the oldest nominated presidential candidate in US history.
