Harris Praises Biden in 1st Appearance since he Ended Campaign

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event honoring National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship teams from the 2023-2024 season, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on July 22, 2024. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

US Vice President Kamala Harris lauded President Joe Biden's accomplishments in her first public appearance on Monday since he announced he was leaving the presidential race and endorsed her as his successor.
"Joe Biden's legacy over the last three years is unmatched in modern history," Harris said at a White House event to honor college athletes. "Every day, our president, Joe Biden, fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation."
Harris did not specifically refer to her new status as the leading Democratic candidate for president, after Biden announced on Sunday he was stepping aside under growing pressure from fellow Democrats.
She said in a post on X that she would visit what had been the Biden campaign headquarters in Delaware - now the Harris campaign headquarters - on Monday afternoon. She said Biden, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, was feeling better.
Campaign officials and allies have already made hundreds of calls on her behalf, urging delegates to next month's Democratic Party convention to join in nominating her for president in the Nov. 5 election against Republican Donald Trump.