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Chicago — Vice President Harris will formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night, a historic moment for President Biden, who won the 2024 Democratic primary but later suspended his campaign due to pressure from within his party.
Harris is expected to address Democratic National Convention (Democratic National Committee) Thursday evening prime-time address.
That night, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, will be finalized on the Democratic presidential ticket, and will then face Republican nominee former President Trump and his pick for vice president, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Harris gave a surprise speech at the opening of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday evening, praising Biden and saying “we are forever grateful to him.”
On August 20, 2024, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Harris and running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz attended a campaign rally in Milwaukee. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, thank you for your lifetime of service to our country, and thank you for all that you will continue to do,” Harris said Monday. “We are forever grateful to you. Thank you, Joe.”
Harris said the Democratic Party is “united by a shared vision for the future of the country.”
“This November, we will come together as one, with one voice, to declare that we will move forward,” she said Monday. “Our love for our country leads us with optimism, hope and confidence. We know that we have far more in common than divides us. Let us fight for the ideals we hold dear, and let us always remember that when we fight, we will prevail.”
President Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Just over a month ago, Biden was considered the Democratic presidential nominee and had won every primary.
However, Democrats pressured Biden to suspend his reelection campaign after his dismal debate performance with Trump in June.
Biden eventually capitulated and dropped out of the race. He quickly endorsed Vice President Harris to succeed him as the Democratic nominee.
Biden spoke at the party convention on Monday night and handed over the party leadership to Harris.
“America, I give you my best,” the president said in a speech to a packed United Center.
“Choosing Kamala was the first decision I made before I became the nominee and the best decision I’ve made in my entire career,” Biden said. “She’s strong, she’s experienced, and she has great integrity, great honesty.”
He added: “Her story represents the best of American storytelling.”
He then asked the crowd, “Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and America? Let me ask you, are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz as president and vice president of the United States?”
On August 20, 2024, former President Barack Obama will attend the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago along with former First Lady Michelle Obama. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Harris has been campaigning this week, holding events across the country. This week, she also unveiled her first major proposal to raise revenue, a hike in the corporate tax rate.
The Harris campaign said the vice president’s proposal to increase the tax rate on big corporations from 21% to 28% was “a fiscally responsible way to put money back into the pockets of working people and ensure billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.”
Harris made the announcement this week as she began detailing how she would govern if elected president and how she would finance the expensive ideas she laid out last week, including expanding the child tax credit, reducing homebuying costs and lowering medical debt.
Meanwhile, before Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, the vice president received support from major Democrats other than Biden, as well as top Hollywood stars.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Harris and referenced her famous “glass ceiling” speech.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
“On the other side of the glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States,” Clinton said. In 2016, she became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major party.
Democratic National Convention: Live updates
Harris has also received praise from former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama and former President Clinton, among others.
Her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, said he was “very proud of you for standing up for all of us.”
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks at the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024 in Chicago. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
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“That’s just the kind of person she is. Whenever and whatever she’s needed, Kamala steps up,” Emhoff said. “She’s done it for me and our family. The country needs her now, and she’s showing you what we already knew: She’s ready to lead, she brings joy and tenacity to the task, she’s going to be a great president, and we’re all going to be proud of her.”
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