24-7-2024 (MILWAUKEE) Vice-President Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic presidential candidate, swiftly stepping into the role vacated by President Joe Biden. Harris wasted no time in launching her campaign, delivering a forceful speech at her inaugural rally in Wisconsin on 23 July, where she pulled no punches in her critique of Republican rival Donald Trump.
The event, held at West Allis Central High School in a Milwaukee suburb, saw Harris addressing a crowd of several thousand enthusiastic supporters. In her 17-minute address, she drew sharp contrasts between her vision for America and that of her opponent, emphasising her background as a former prosecutor and highlighting Trump’s legal troubles.
Vice President Harris: In this election, we each face a question. What kind of country do we want to live in? A country of freedom, compassion, and the rule of law? Or a country of chaos, fear, and hate? We each have the power to answer that question pic.twitter.com/GWeEOVT1WS
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 23, 2024
“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” Harris declared to cheers from the audience. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?”
The rally’s energetic atmosphere marked a noticeable departure from the more subdued events characteristic of Biden’s campaign, reflecting the Democrats’ hope that Harris, at 59, can inject new life into their bid for the White House.
Packed crowd erupts into chants of “WE’RE NOT GOING BACK” when Vice President Harris mentions Trump’s Project 2025 pic.twitter.com/Zo0kJtZ5GQ
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 23, 2024
Harris’s ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket comes after Biden, 81, bowed out of the race on 21 July, succumbing to mounting pressure from party members concerned about his chances against Trump and his ability to serve another term.
The vice-president’s campaign has hit the ground running, with reports of raising $100 million (£78 million) since Biden’s withdrawal. She has also quickly secured endorsements from key Democratic figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on 22 and 23 July showed Harris leading Trump by a slim margin of 44% to 42% among registered voters, suggesting a potential boost for the Democrats following the shake-up.
Harris’s campaign strategy appears to focus heavily on reproductive rights, an issue that has proven challenging for Republicans since the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She also outlined plans to expand abortion access, facilitate union membership, and address gun violence.
The vice-president’s rapid rise to become the presumptive Democratic nominee marks a historic moment in American politics. As the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice-president, Harris now stands on the brink of potentially becoming the first woman elected US president.
However, the road ahead is far from smooth. Trump and his allies have already begun efforts to link Harris to some of the Biden administration’s more contentious policies, particularly its handling of migration at the US-Mexico border.
Trump, speaking to reporters on 23 July, expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Harris, pointing to her unsuccessful 2020 presidential run. He also called for multiple debates with the new Democratic nominee.
As the campaign gains momentum, attention is now turning to Harris’s choice of running mate, with the Democratic National Committee chair, Jaime Harrison, indicating that a decision needs to be made by 7 August. Potential candidates include several governors and senators from key battleground states.
