Harris Lauds Biden; Contrasts Trump’s Dealings With The Law To Her’s As Prosecutor

Photo: The Biden Presidential Campaign headquarters in Wilmington, DE, is now the center of Kamala Harris’s bid for president. She flew down there to address the staff and hear Biden tell them to support her as they would have done him. Photo: Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS

WASHINGTON, DC (IANS) – Vice President Kamala Harris officially launched her presidential campaign on July 22, framing the contest as a choice between two visions for America. Harris characterized her vision as “focused on the future” and contrasted it with that of her Republican rival, Donald Trump, as “focused on the past.” Drawing on her experience as a public prosecutor, Harris criticized Trump, stating, “I know Donald Trump’s type,” referencing her past dealings with cheats, fraudsters, and abusers of women.

Harris delivered her energetic and forceful speech during her first visit to her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. President Joe Biden joined the event via phone from his home, where he was recovering from a COVID-19 infection.

Harris has adopted Biden’s campaign staff and aims to build on the administration’s achievements as she embarks on this historic race. Biden encouraged the campaign staff to “embrace” Harris and work as they would for him. Harris’s speech was met with enthusiastic support, and a top campaign official acknowledged that they had raised $81 million in just 24 hours since her elevation to the top of the ticket. The campaign also reported enrolling more than 20,000 new volunteers.

Recounting her career as a public prosecutor, Harris said, “In those roles, I took on predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheats who broke the rules for their gain. So, hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type.” The audience responded with loud cheers and encouragement after each statement.

Harris also highlighted her experience in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office in California, where she specialized in cases involving sexual abuse. She referenced a recent defamation case won by columnist E. Jean Carroll, who alleged that Trump had raped her decades ago. “Donald Trump was found liable by a jury for committing sexual abuse,” Harris reminded the audience.

Echoing a theme favored by Biden, Harris stated, “When our middle class is strong, America is strong.” She praised Biden’s legacy of achievements, describing it as “unmatched” in modern history. In her first public remarks after taking over the presidential ticket from Biden, Harris emphasized, “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 in office.”