United States – The Democratic Party officially approved Kamala Harris as US Vice President at dawn on Wednesday, in a symbolic vote, as a candidate to run in the presidential elections scheduled for next November, against her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.
Harris said during a campaign event in the swing state of Wisconsin that she was honored to win the nomination of the Democratic delegates, and that she and they would pave a new path toward the future and freedom, as she put it.
The Democratic National Convention continues for the second day in a row in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The second day was held under the slogan “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” where former US President Barack Obama gave a speech to the crowd supporting Harris, saying, “We have an opportunity to elect someone who will give opportunities to others and fight for Americans,” stressing that the United States is ready for Harris to assume the presidency.
Obama added that “the Republican Party has become based on individuals, while we need someone who will put his own aspirations aside in order to achieve the aspirations of the country,” stressing that the American presidential race will be close in a divided country in which many Americans are suffering.
Obama praised President Biden, saying history will remember him as an exceptional president who defended democracy at a time when it was under threat.
He said that America does not need four more years of chaos while it is ready for a new path, noting that Trump sees power as a tool to help himself and his rich friends, and killed a bill to protect our southern border because he saw it would hurt his campaign.
For her part, former US First Lady Michelle Obama considered in a speech before the Democratic Party conference that hope had returned with the selection of Harris as the party’s candidate for the presidential elections.
“There is something magical and wonderful in the air,” said Michelle Obama, who is wildly popular among Democrats. “It is the contagious power of hope.”
Several other party leaders are expected to make speeches to rally support for Harris. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Bernie Sanders will be among the prominent speakers.
This comes as a number of protesters interrupted a speech by Tim Walz, the Democratic presidential candidate, to demand a ban on US military aid to Israel and an end to the war in Gaza.
Protesters raised slogans against US policy towards Israel during an event on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago.
Walz avoided responding to the protesters who called for an end to the genocide being committed against the people of Gaza, while security removed the protesters from the event hall.
In a related development, Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that Harris’ campaign has raised about $500 million since she ran for president, an unprecedented figure that reflects donors’ enthusiasm before the elections.
Harris raised $200 million in the first week of announcing her campaign.
According to these sources, Harris’ campaign raised about $300 million in July, bringing the total amount of money she and President Joe Biden raised before his withdrawal to $1 billion.
Meanwhile, Axios quoted David Plouffe, a senior adviser to the Harris campaign, as saying that the vice president has greatly improved the Democratic Party’s position heading into the election.
Democrats are back in the running in Sun Belt states that were widely considered out of reach for President Biden, Plouffe said.
He explained that it was difficult for Democrats, months ago, to compete in the states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia or North Carolina, and said that the states of Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey and New York are now out of reach for Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump continues his campaign in the swing town of Howell, Michigan.
Trump’s visit to the town, his sixth in a row, is to ensure that his local supporters continue to support him in the face of the Democrats’ progress. Trump has announced that he will make crime and violence issues part of his election campaign, and will fully support police officers if he reaches the White House.
In the latest opinion polls, a Morning Consult poll showed that Democratic candidate Harris is 4 points ahead of Trump across the United States (48 points versus 44).
An Insider Advantage poll in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where Trump has been most active, showed him with 47 points, one point ahead of Harris.
In the Democratic-controlled state of Virginia, a Roanoke College poll showed Harris with 47 points, 3 points ahead of Trump, who got 44 points.
Source: Al Jazeera
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2024-08-22 00:56:55