WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris on Tuesday launched her campaign trail across the United States, marking the start of her bid for the presidency after effectively clinching the Democratic nomination, heading to the battleground state of Wisconsin to renew her attacks on Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump.
Harris, who swiftly garnered enough delegates within 36 hours of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, has garnered support from prominent figures within the Democratic Party and beyond. Hollywood actor and activist George Clooney, a vocal supporter of Harris’s candidacy, joined a chorus of influential voices endorsing her bid to challenge Trump in November.
In her upcoming rally in Milwaukee, Harris is expected to leverage her background as a former California prosecutor and state attorney general to prosecute what she terms “the case against Donald Trump,” according to campaign spokeswoman Brianna Johnson.
“She is prepared to prosecute the case against Donald Trump,” Johnson stated.
This theme is expected to resonate throughout Harris’s campaign, building on her remarks from a recent speech where she drew upon her prosecutorial background to criticize Trump’s conduct.
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With endorsements from Biden and key Democratic figures secured, Harris now stands poised to officially accept the nomination by August 7, well in advance of the Democratic convention in Chicago. The nomination process will include an online vote of convention delegates.
Support for Harris continues to grow, with endorsements pouring in from diverse quarters such as the United Steelworkers Union and philanthropist Melinda French Gates. The backing reflects confidence in Harris’s ability to lead, particularly after Biden’s decision to withdraw amidst concerns over his age and debate performance against Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump has launched scathing attacks against Harris, branding her as “Lyin’ Kamala Harris” and casting doubt on her electability. Despite Trump’s rhetoric, recent polls indicate a tight race between Harris and the 78-year-old incumbent president.
Harris’s choice of Milwaukee for her campaign launch is strategic, considering it recently hosted the Republican National Convention where Trump was officially nominated. The city’s significance underscores Harris’s intent to challenge Trump directly on his own turf.
Harris and Biden are also scheduled to navigate complex foreign policy challenges, including meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington. While Biden focuses on efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza, Harris will not attend Netanyahu’s congressional address due to prior campaign commitments.
The president was due to return to the White House later Tuesday from his Delaware beach house, having spent nearly a week there in Covid isolation, during which time he made his fateful decision.
Former president Trump — who survived an assassination attempt on July 13 that added to the sense of chaos surrounding the election — has relentlessly slammed both Harris and Biden.
