The United States began another (and yet another) of the most unpredictable weeks in recent memory on Monday with all eyes on Vice President Kamala Harris. President Joe Biden’s historic decision to withdraw from the presidential race the day before and his subsequent endorsement of Harris left her as the most likely replacement at the head of the Democratic Party less than four months before the date of the polls to defeat his opponent, Republican Donald Trump. For this reason, an inane event on the vice president’s agenda in favor of grassroots sports suddenly became the event of the day in Washington.
“Biden would have liked to have been here, but he couldn’t be, although he is recovering very well,” she said at the beginning of her speech, referring to the Covid-19 that the president contracted last week and from which he is recovering at his beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware. Harris then effusively praised his legacy: “What he has accomplished in these three and a half years is unmatched in recent American history.” Nor, she added, “his honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart and his love, as well as his deep love for our country. I witness this firsthand every day.” “Our president fights for the American people and we are deeply grateful for his service to our nation,” she added.
Harris appeared on the south lawn of the White House, where hundreds of young people from around the country were waiting for her for an event held every year in honor of the NCAA, the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It is responsible for regulating youth sports in approximately 1,100 educational centers in the United States.
Alex Brandon (AP)
Those hoping for some hint of her immediate plans were left wanting. The vice president was more explicit about her candidacy on social media. Harris confirmed shortly before on her X account that Monday was “the first full day” of her campaign. She was scheduled to travel in the afternoon to Wilmington, Delaware, to meet with Biden’s candidacy team, which she automatically inherited, just as she inherited the money in his coffers. The president chose Wilmington, his hometown, as his campaign headquarters. Harris’ visit was expected to mark a key moment in the transition between the two candidates.
Harris did not mention any of these details in her appearance. The rest of her message was dedicated to praising the performance of those present. Some of the words she spoke, which spoke of the effort and tenacity necessary to achieve victory, could be interpreted as metaphors for what lies ahead on a path that may lead her to become the first female president of the United States. She avoided going directly into the topic for which half the world was paying attention to the event and many questions remained unanswered: Does she take it for granted that the party will choose her at the Democratic National Convention in August? Has she spoken with Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi, two very heavyweights of the party who have not yet given her their support? And above all: has she already decided who she will choose as her running mate?
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After receiving Biden’s endorsement, Harris’ team began calling party members on Sunday to secure their support. Over the past few hours, hundreds of delegates, prominent governors – such as Kentucky’s Andy Beshear and Illinois’ JB Pritzker – members of the Biden administration and influential congressmen and senators – including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren – as well as the Clintons, have aligned themselves with the possibility of Harris’ candidacy for the presidency of the United States.

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