VEEP TAKES THE LEAP
Kamala Harris’ 1st rally erupts in ‘lock him up’ chants after Trump dig – but speech more of the same of Biden policies
Her rally came as Trump challenged her to a debate and insisted she's 'no different' than Biden
KAMALA Harris has officially kicked off her campaign for president and she didn't hesitate to unleash a series of attacks on GOP rival Donald Trump, who she branded a criminal.
She arrived in the battleground state of Wisconsin on Tuesday morning for her first official campaign event.
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Her remarks echo what President Biden ran on, signaling that Harris plans to continue a majority of the current administration's policies if elected.
Harris entered a high school gymnasium to Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar's song, Freedom after a local teacher introduced her.
During her speech, Harris recalled her tenure as California's Attorney General and discussed her time working with criminals.
Harris then took the moment to take a shot at Trump, telling the crowd, "I know his type."
She added that she would put her record up against his any day - pointing out that Trump has been found liable for sexual abuse and guilty of fraud.
As Harris spoke of Trump's convictions, the crowd chanted, "Lock him up!"
The vice president also addressed the importance of winning the key swing state of Wisconsin.
"The path to the White House goes through Wisconsin," Harris began her speech.
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Both parties are campaigning hard for the Badger State's electoral votes.
The Republican National Convention was held in Milwaukee last week, so it's no surprise that Harris chose the battleground state for her first campaign event.
Kamala Harris 'showed off power' in 1st speech since Biden dropped out with subtle body language difference, expert says
Harris also addressed Biden's decision to step aside, praising the president's administration as accomplishing more goals in four years than most do in eight.
The vice president acknowledged her grassroots campaign, comparing it to Trump's political action committee-funded campaign.
"We're a people-powered campaign," she said, adding, "And that's how you know we'll be a people-powered presidency."
"We believe in a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead," Harris said.
She painted a picture of a country where no child lives in poverty, every person has affordable healthcare, childcare, and paid family leave is accessible.
She told the crowd, "We're not going back," and the audience began chanting along with her.
Harris promised to pass legislation on gun violence and bolster the middle class.
She claimed her administration would restore reproductive freedoms into law.
Biden ran on a similar platform, consistently discussing the importance of growing the middle class and preventing Project 2025 policies.
Despite the Democrat's focus on Project 2025, Trump has denied his affiliation with the plan and previously deemed the conservative policies "extreme."
In a call with reporters, Trump said Harris was part of the "willful demolition of American borders," according to The New York Times.
He added that if Harris was elected, the "invasion" at the southern border would become "exponentially worse."
While Republicans have been laser-focused on immigration, Harris avoided the topic during her first campaign speech.
Biden also steered clear of the issue, as the number of illegal immigrants crossing into the US hit an all-time high during his administration.
TRUMP'S CHALLENGE
Trump's running mate, JD Vance wrote on X, "Kamala Harris wants to keep our southern border wide open, while cutting the number of police officers protecting American citizens.
"It’s a radical agenda and we must reject it."
Trump recently announced he wanted to debate Harris more than once in a call with reporters.
He previously said that he was "not thrilled," that their first debate would be hosted by ABC and suggested that it should be moved to Fox News.
Trump explained that he disagreed with ABC's coverage of Biden dropping out, saying the network tried to "make a hero out of Joe Biden."
“I haven’t agreed to anything. I agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” Trump said on the call.
“But I want to debate her, and she’ll be no different, because they have the same policies.
"I think debating is important for a presidential race, I really do, you sort of have an obligation to debate.”
Harris concluded her speech by asking the crowd, "What kind of country do we want to live in?"
But I want to debate her [Kamala Harris], and she’ll be no different, because they have the same policies.
Donald Trump
"Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?"
"We each have the power to answer the question - the power is in the people," she continued.
Harris told Wisconsin that there was a lot of work to do in the leadup to the election but promised she'd continue to fight for the presidency.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers introduced Harris and announced that he was "all in" on her presidential campaign.
"We have 105 days and not a minute to waste," Evers told the crowd.
Evers also took a shot at Republicans, telling the crowd that it was refreshing to have Harris in his state after the RNC last week.
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin also took the stage to express her support for Harris' campaign.
Earlier on Tuesday, Harris was slammed by House Speaker Mike Johnson for not presiding over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress on Wednesday, instead remaining on the campaign trail.
“It is outrageous and inexcusable that Kamala Harris is boycotting Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech,” he said.
“She will abandon her seat and refuse to attend. She needs to be held accountable for this.
"The idea that Democrats are making political calculations when our ally is fighting for its very survival is unconscionable to us.”
ROAD TO REPLACEMENT
President Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday with a letter to the nation, and Harris has quickly stepped in as the leading candidate to become the new Democratic nominee.
Biden ended his presidential bid after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 while campaigning in the battleground state of Nevada.
Just a few days later, Biden announced he was suspending his campaign for president.
In a separate statement, Biden expressed his endorsement for Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee.
VP Kamala Harris' full statement as Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses her
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.
“It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe’s leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
She hit the ground running soon after and secured the delegates to officially become the nominee on Monday.
Harris announced the news on X with a letter to her supporters, writing, "Tonight, I am proud to have earned the support needed to become our party’s nominee."
"Over the next few months, I'll be traveling across the country talking to Americans about everything on the line. I fully intend to unite our party and our nation, and defeat Donald Trump."
Biden has continually expressed his support for Harris, phoning into a campaign meeting to congratulate her.
He called into the meeting from his home in Delaware, and told the staff, "I think we made the right decision."
“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all."
Biden added, "And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala.
"I’m going to be working like hell, both as a sitting president, getting legislation passed, as well as in campaigning."
Harris beamed with pride as Biden gave her a glowing recommendation.
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She told the crowd, “It is so good to hear our president’s voice."
Biden responded, “I’m watching you kid! I love you!”
10 Days that Changed America
AN attempted assassination of a former US president, the standing down of a current president, and a political speech by a former wrestler. Senior News reporter Anthony Blair looks back on a crazy 10 days in American politics.
- Saturday, July 13 - Donald Trump is shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Republican frontrunner is hit in the ear but stands up and pumps his fist to the crowd. Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, is shot dead but the Secret Service is slammed for suspected security blunders. Ex-fire chief Corey Comperatore is killed protecting his family.
- Sunday, July 14 - President Joe Biden calls on Americans to unite and "cool down" political rhetoric in the wake of Trump's shooting. The Democrat had faced growing calls since his disastrous performance in June's CNN debate. Shocking video reveals how close Trump came to being killed after turning his head at the last minute.
- Monday, July 15 - The Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is formally nominated as the Republican candidate. An emotional-looking Trump makes his first appearance since surviving the shooting wearing a large ear bandage. It quickly becomes a must-have fashion item at the RNC. Ohio Senator JD Vance is named as Trump's running mate. Previously anti-Trump, Vance at just 39 is an inexperienced choice, but seen as having a connection with ordinary Americans. In an interview, Biden admits it was a "mistake" to talk about putting Trump in "the bullseye" days before the assassination attempt.
- Tuesday, July 16 - The FBI warns of more potential violence in the wake of Trump's shooting. Intelligence claims Iran had a separate plot to assassinate Trump, but there is no proven link to Crooks. Biden returns to the campaign trail for the first time since the assassination attempt and insists he isn't stepping down.
- Wednesday, July 17 - Joe Biden tests positive for Covid, just days after saying he would drop out of the presidential race if he was diagnosed with a medical condition. It intensifies the calls for him to step aside with Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom floated as potential replacements. At the RNC, JD Vance makes his first speech since being selected as Trump's VP pick, to the delight of the MAGA crowd.
- Thursday, July 18 - Donald Trump addresses the RNC, his first speech since surviving an attempted assassination. He appears slower and more subdued than usual but gives the longest convention acceptance speech in US history. Just before he goes on, former wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt off and tells cheering crowds "Trumpomania" will sweep America. Former First Lady Melania, who has barely been seen on the campaign trail, makes an appearance but does not speak. Barack Obama joins calls for Biden to step aside.
- Friday, July 19 - President Biden appears to consider resigning, as a source says he is in a "contemplative stage" while isolating with Covid. Video emerges showing Biden appearing to kiss the wrong woman after mistaking her for his wife Jill. Meanwhile, the world's biggest tech outage sparks travel chaos for Republicans leaving the RNC in Milwaukee.
- Saturday, July 20 - Donald Trump holds his first campaign rally since the shooting in Butler. He appears in Michigan without his ear bandage. His former doctor Ronny Jackson describes his injuries. He appears in his first interview alongside his running mate Vance. Senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi speaks for the first time since being linked to growing calls for Biden to resign. Meanwhile, Biden's reelection campaign continues to insist he is running, as a spokesperson slams Trump's rally remarks as showing he is "focused only on himself."
- Sunday, July 21 - Joe Biden announces he isn't running in November in a shock letter, just hours after insisting he was staying in the race. He is the first incumbent to step down in their first term since 1968. Biden endorses Kamala Harris for president as senior Dems through their support behind the Vice President. The news appears to throw the Republicans off their stride. Biden vows to continue his term until November's election.
- Monday, July 22 - Kamala Harris raises a record $81 million in 24 hours as she secures the Democratic candidacy. She also inherits some $91 million in leftover campaign funds from Biden. Harris gives her first speech since Biden stepped out, and speaks to the president on the phone, although he doesn't appear in person. Under-pressure Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle appears on Capitol Hill and faces increasing calls to resign over the shooting of Trump. She admits the Secret Service "failed" on July 13 and resigns the following day.
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