Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, 59, has praised Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 White House race, calling it “one of the most courageous” moves a president can make. Biden exited the race on July 21 and quickly endorsed Harris as his successor.
During an event in Las Vegas sponsored by Univision, a Spanish-language television network, Harris stated, “President Biden made a decision that I think history will show was probably one of the most courageous that a president could make, which is he decided to put country above his personal interests.” Her comments were translated into Spanish for the broadcast.
Harris emphasised the high stakes of the current political climate, saying, “I believe that the stakes right now are extraordinarily high, and some might say unprecedented.”
Harris’s remarks came after a voter expressed concerns over Biden’s withdrawal and questioned her ascent to the Democratic nomination without a competitive primary process. The voter indicated a preference for Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Biden’s withdrawal was influenced by growing pressure from party members and donors who were concerned about his age and fitness for office, particularly after a disappointing performance in a presidential debate on June 27.
Trump labelled Biden’s exit as a “coup,” while Harris noted the contrasting dynamics between her campaign and Trump’s failure to accept his 2020 election loss. After Biden’s exit, Harris secured enough Democratic delegates to clinch the nomination, officially accepting it at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held from August 19 to August 22. There, she also announced her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In an interview on ABC’s “The View,” Harris stated there was “not a thing” she would have done differently as president compared to Biden. She acknowledged that while Biden may not campaign for her frequently, he remains a vital partner and supporter in her presidential run.
Highlighting the choice facing American voters, Harris said, “We are literally having a choice as the American people about choosing a path that is about the rule of law and democracy, or something that admires dictators.” This statement underscores the ongoing political tension as the 2024 election approaches.
In recent weeks, Trump has aimed personal insults at Harris, calling her “grossly incompetent” and “totally ill-equipped to do the job of being President of the United States.”