Harris chides Trump as Biden passes torch

US Vice President Kamala Harris has been outlining her election priorities, including strengthening the middle class. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has said withdrawing from the race “was the right thing to do.”

Kamala Harris in a statement said she is “proud” to receive support from enough delegates to secure the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Kamala Harris’ campaign says it raised $81 million in 24 hours​

“I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon,” Harris said. “Tonight I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee.”

An AP news count found that Harris has the support of at least 2,214 delegates, enough to clinch the nomination.

The delegates, however, have not formally nominated Harris yet. Delegates will either take part in a virtual roll call to nominate Harris in the next few weeks, or they would formally vote for Harris during the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to 22 in Chicago.

The Democratic National Committee is expected to hold a virtual roll call on August 7 where it will choose its nominee. The Democratic National Convention from August 19 to 22 would formally nominate Harris and her vice presidential pick.

Harris, who will likely be the Democratic presidential nominee, said Donald Trump “wants to take our country backwards to a time before many of our fellow Americans had full freedoms and rights, but we believe in a brighter future that makes room for all Americans”

“We believe in a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but get ahead,” Harris wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

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In her post, Harris emphasised policy goals such as paid family leave, along with affordable child care and healthcare. “Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency,” Harris said.   

US President Joe Biden is expected to return to the White House in Washington DC on Tuesday, his official schedule says. Biden has been recovering from a COVID-19 infection. He will depart his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home on Tuesday afternoon and return to the White House at 2:30 PM (1830 GMT).