US VP Kamala Harris delivers first remarks since Biden exited presidential race, calls his 'legacy unmatched'
Jul 22, 2024
Washington, DC [US], July 22 : US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday made her first public appearance after Joe Biden exited the US Presidential race and endorsed her as the Democratic Party's nominee, reported CNN.
Speaking at an event for NCAA championship athletes, Harris commended Biden's legacy.
"Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history...In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms," she said.
The event celebrates the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams from the 2023-2024 season, at which Harris delivered her remarks.
"I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau, we worked together as Attorneys-General in our states," Harris said.
"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 added.
The president has openly supported Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2024.
Harris continued to celebrate the NCAA champion athletes without making any mention of the impending presidential election.
Following Biden's announcement on Sunday that he was pulling out from the presidential race, and his endorsement of Vice President Harris, a number of senior Democrats had rallied behind Harris.
Harris, however, has to secure the support of enough delegates of the Democratic Party to replace Biden.
To win the nomination, a candidate must secure 1,986 delegates.
As per a report of the Hill, Democratic delegates from Tennessee met on Sunday over a conference call and announced that they were committing all 77 delegates for Harris. In South Carolina, all 55 of the state's pledged delegates endorsed Harris. A total of 168 of North Carolina's delegates "voted unanimously" to endorse Harris. 25 delegates of New Hampshire, 224 delegates from Florida and 48 delegates from Louisiana have pledged their support to Harris.