Kamala Harris praises Joe Biden’s legacy in first speech since he endorsed her for presidency

US Vice-President Kamala Harris on Monday praised President Joe Biden in her first speech after he endorsed her for the presidency.

Speaking at a programme felicitating the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Champion teams on the South Lawn of the White House, Kamala Harris said Biden’s legacy of accomplishments in the past three years is “unmatched in the modern history”.

“In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who served two terms in office,” she said.

Kamal Harris recounted how she came to know Biden through his late son Beau as they worked as Attorneys-General in their respetive states.

“Back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would tell me about the kind of father, and the kind of man that Joe is. The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president. His honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart and his love, deep love of our country -– and I am firsthand witness that every day our President Joe Biden fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful of his service to our nation,” she said.

Kamala Harris said Biden wanted to attend the event but couldn’t as he is recovering from Covid-19.

“He is feeling much better and is recovering really fast,” she said.

In a shock announcement on July 21, Joe Biden ended his re-election bid, saying it was “it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down”. The 81-year-old President decided to end his re-election bid amid mounting pressure from his Democrat allies.

Shortly after this announcement, Joe Biden formally endorsed Harris to succeed him as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president.

“My intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement after Biden’s announcement. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump.”

Virtually all of the prominent Democrats who had been seen as potential challengers to Harris have lined up behind her, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.