Harris: “I Will Always Be Grateful to President Biden”
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her gratitude to President Joe Biden during her speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), affirming her resolve to defeat Donald Trump.
“I want to begin by honoring our great President, Joe Biden,” Harris said as she made a surprise appearance at the opening session of the DNC in Chicago on August 19.
In her initial remarks, Harris focused on the legacy of the man she has worked alongside in the White House for the past three and a half years.
“Thank you, sir, for your historic leadership, your lifetime of dedication to this country, and for all that you will continue to do,” she said, addressing President Biden. “We will be forever grateful to you.”
The crowd of thousands of delegates applauded and cheered in response to Harris. According to the previously announced schedule, Harris was expected to appear later in the opening night alongside President Biden, who was set to deliver a major speech about his accomplishments and express his support for Harris.
In her brief speech, Harris also declared her determination to defeat Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in this year’s presidential race. “Let’s fight for the ideals we believe in. Always remember that if we fight, we will win,” she said.
President Biden announced his decision to end his candidacy on July 21, immediately endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. He made the decision after facing pressure from Democratic leaders and donors concerned that he might be outmatched by Trump or too old to serve another term.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the DNC, Biden described today’s speech as a “memorable moment” in his life. He affirmed that he had no regrets about his decision to end his campaign and stated that he was ready to “pass the torch” to Harris.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden “looks forward to speaking to the party and the nation,” adding that the DNC 2024 is a “complete moment” for the president, who is very excited about the event.
As he takes the stage today, Biden will be joined by family members, including his daughter Ashley and First Lady Jill Biden. He is expected to focus on the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration over nearly four years and express concerns that former President Trump poses a “threat to American democracy.”
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago will run until August 22 and will officially nominate Harris to run for the White House.
