Vice President Kamala Harris ignited a passionate crowd in Wisconsin, her first rally since securing the Democratic presidential nomination, delivering a fiery attack on Donald Trump and his vision for the country. Contrasting her energetic address with the often stumbling speeches of outgoing President Joe Biden, Harris energized the crowd with a powerful and enthusiastic message.
Harris, at 59, represents a fresh wave of hope for the Democratic party, particularly following the 81-year-old Biden’s departure from the race, a decision spurred by concerns about his age and mental fitness. “Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” Harris declared in Milwaukee. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?”
While Biden focused on Trump’s broader threat to democracy, Harris took a more personal, direct approach, drawing on her experience as California’s attorney general. “I know Donald Trump’s type,” she stated, referencing her record of confronting “predators” and “fraudsters,” a direct comparison to the former president and convicted felon. “I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week.”
Harris placed particular emphasis on abortion rights, accusing Trump of attempting to ban the procedure. “We trust women to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government tell them what to do,” she declared. The energized crowd, chanting “Kam-a-la” throughout her speech, mirrored the enthusiasm seen at Trump’s Republican nomination in the same city just a week prior.
Trump, now facing the challenge of being the oldest presidential candidate in US history, insisted Harris would be an easier opponent than her predecessor. Despite surviving an assassination attempt on July 13th, Trump remained steadfast in his commitment to participate in at least one presidential debate with Harris.
Harris, a historical figure as the first female, Black, and South Asian vice president in American history, secured the Democratic nomination within 36 hours of Biden’s withdrawal. She is now poised to potentially become the country’s first female president. Top Democratic leaders, including Senator Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, swiftly threw their support behind her. Hollywood actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic activist who urged Biden to step aside earlier this month, also voiced his support for Harris.
Meanwhile, Biden returned to the White House after a week of isolation with COVID-19 at his Delaware beach house, where he announced his shocking decision to forgo a reelection bid. He is scheduled to address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday, focusing on “what lies ahead.”
Biden’s doctor confirmed his recovery from COVID-19, paving the way for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. Harris is also slated to attend the meeting.
Harris’s official nomination will be finalized on August 7th through an online vote by delegates, two weeks before the Democratic convention in Chicago. The United Steelworkers Union and philanthropist Melinda French Gates, Bill Gates’ ex-wife, have both expressed their support for Harris’s campaign. The campaign also announced that it has raised $100 million since her entry into the White House race, with 62% of donations coming from first-time donors.
A poll conducted after Biden’s withdrawal showed Harris two points ahead of Trump. However, with less than four months until the election, Harris acknowledges the “hard work” ahead in convincing voters that she is the right candidate for the job.
