With the smile she uses to dismiss critics and the confidence she exudes, Kamala Harris, the United States vice president, joined the White House on Monday for the first public appearance since President Joe Biden announced his decision to step away from the Democratic nomination for November’s election and signaled Harris as the leading successor in the race against the former president. Harris has spent the past hours strengthening her path toward that nomination, achieving notable success among colleagues, party leaders, donors of all sizes. She did not directly reference the new development, choosing instead to fulfill her official ceremonial role while attention stays fixed on her every move and every word as she positions herself to reintroduce her candidacy to the American people.
Her brief speech at a reception for college sports champions, however, is framed within the seismic shifts of recent hours. Alongside a health update for Biden, who said he is “feeling better” from the COVID-19 infection and “recovering quickly,” Harris delivered a warm tribute to the president, both personally and politically.
Praise for Biden and messages in between the lines
“His record of achievements over the past three years stands without parallel in modern history,” Harris asserted, before moving into praise for the qualities she has observed in Biden “every day.”
She specifically highlighted “his honesty, integrity, commitment to his faith and family, a big heart, and a deep love for the country.” She concluded: “I have witnessed firsthand that every day our president, Joe Biden, fights for the American people, and we are deeply grateful for his service to our nation.”
When addressing the athletes, Harris also offered carefully read messages. “I know this moment has not been easy to reach. Each of you has faced challenges and obstacles, and you have persevered. You have fought. And in doing so you have shown that true greatness requires more than skill; it requires determination and courage,” Harris said, also praising teamwork. “You remind us all that what can be achieved with hard work and ambition—and, of course, none of you arrived here alone.”