WATCH: Migrants in Mexico react to Joe Biden’s decision to exit US presidential race
By The Associated Press
Migrants in Mexico reacted on Sunday to U.S. President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is dropping his reelection bid against Donald Trump. Biden announced that he is dropping his bid in a social media post that sent political shockwaves around the country and threw an element of turmoil into the election just months before voters go to the polls. (AP video shot by Raul Salvador Mendoza and Amaranta Marentes)
Democrats promise ‘orderly process’ to replace Biden, where Harris is favored but questions remain
Shortly after Biden announced Sunday that he would drop his reelection campaign, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison had a message: There would be no automatic coronation for his replacement.
“In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.“
The comment reflected the reality that while Vice President Harris is emerging as the prohibitive favorite to become the party’s nominee — backed already by Biden and many Democrats — it’s not so simple. And for now, the party isn’t offering many details on what happens next.
Harris has to formally secure the nomination from the around 4,700 Democratic convention delegates — including those pledged to Biden, as well as the elected officials, former presidents and other party elders known as superdelegates.
▶ Read more about the Democratic nomination process
Harris could become first Black woman, first person of South Asian descent to be president
Harris is the first woman, Black person or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. If she becomes the Democratic nominee and defeats Republican candidate Donald Trump in November, she would be the first woman to serve as president.
A former prosecutor and senator from California, Harris’ own bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination imploded before a single primary vote was cast. She later became Biden’s running mate, but she struggled to find her footing after taking office as vice president. Assigned to work on issues involving migration from Central America, she was repeatedly blamed by Republicans for problems with illegal border crossings.
However, Harris found more prominence as the White House’s most outspoken advocate for abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. She has also played a key role in reaching out to young people and voters of color.
In addition, Harris’ steady performance after Biden’s debate debacle solidified her standing among Democrats in recent weeks.
▶ Read more about Vice President Kamala Harris
WATCH: Voters in Portland, Oregon and Madison, Wisconsin react to Biden exiting US presidential race
Some voters were surprised, others not so much following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will no longer seek reelection. Many say their support waned following his debate performance. Other voters say they would’ve still voted for him.
Small-dollar donations total $46.7 million for Harris
ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, announced it had collected $46.7 million as of 9 p.m. ET from small-dollar donations for Vice President Harris’ campaign.
The Biden campaign and affiliated groups previously had about $96 million in cash on hand. The Republican National Convention, by contrast, reported a campaign fund of $102 million in June.
How Biden decided to exit the race
It wasn’t until Saturday evening that Biden began to come to the conclusion that he would not run for reelection. He started writing a letter to the American people.
Biden had been off the campaign trail for a few days, isolated because of COVID-19, when it all started to deeply sink in — his worsening chances of being able to defeat Donald Trump with so much of his party in open rebellion, seeking to push him out of the race — not to mention the persistent voter concerns about his age that were only exacerbated by the catastrophic debate.
By Sunday, his decision crystallized. He spoke multiple times with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he would endorse. He informed White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, and his longtime aide and campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon.
A small group of senior advisers from both the campaign and the White House were assembled for the 1:45 p.m. call to relay Biden’s decision, while his campaign staff released the social media announcement one minute later.
Rep. Clyburn says he ‘was not surprised’ Biden dropped out
Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of Biden’s top congressional allies, says he “was not surprised” by Biden’s departure from the race, particularly after the two spent time together recently at various events in Nevada.
“I sensed, in my interactions with him and in watching him, that he was being very contemplative, and so, I was not surprised,” the South Carolina Democrat told The Associated Press in an interview on Sunday night.
Clyburn says he had a “pleasant conversation” with Biden on Sunday morning, in which the president informed him that he would be leaving the race.
“I told him that I thought that he would be remembered very favorably as one of, if not the most, consequential presidents that we have ever had,” Clyburn said.
After that, Clyburn says he spoke with Harris, whom he told he would help however he could.
“I think she needs a running mate that will help her prosecute the case,” Clyburn said, of Harris’ possible VP picks. “She has grown into this job, and people can see the growth in her, the maturity in her decision-making processes.”
Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden ahead of South Carolina’s pivotal 2020 primary helped revive Biden’s flagging campaign following several electoral losses, boosting him to victory in Clyburn’s home state and building momentum through the Super Tuesday states that followed.
Voter Voice: Biden wasn’t cut out for another term
By HOLLY RAMER
In Northwood, New Hampshire, voter Tom Chase said he was happy to hear about Biden’s decision, which came about a week after Chase cut the president’s name out of a Biden-Harris campaign sign and stuck it in his lawn.
Chase, 79, attended a New Hampshire Democratic Party fundraiser featuring California Gov. Gavin Newsom last Monday and came away dismayed at the crowd’s lack of enthusiasm.
“People were not, ‘Hey let’s go out and reelect Joe! We’re all behind it!’ It was like, ‘What’s gonna happen?’ and I said, ‘This just can’t go on,” he said Sunday evening.
“There are many of us who are relieved at his decision, delighted at his decision, enormously respectful of his service and the difficulty that this represents.”
Biden website fundraises for Harris
President Biden’s campaign website, which had been unchanged for hours after his announcement that he was dropping his reelection bid, now points to a fundraising page for Harris’ campaign, highlighting Biden’s endorsement of her to be his successor.
Harris’ campaign URL, which has pointed to Biden’s since she was named his running mate in 2020, points to the same fundraising page.
Harris will not use virtual roll call for nomination, per Rep. Barragán
Rep. Nanette Barragán, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who spoke with Harris on Sunday, said the vice president wants to forego a virtual roll call for the nomination process and instead hold a process that adheres to regular order.
A virtual roll call to confirm Biden as the party’s nominee had been planned for no earlier than Aug. 1. Earlier Sunday, DNC chairman Jaime Harrison said the party would have a “transparent and orderly process” to pick their nominee that will be “governed by established rules and procedures of the party.”
North Carolina’s Democratic delegation votes to back Harris
North Carolina’s Democratic delegation has voted to support Harris at the party’s national convention, Anderson Clayton, the state party’s chair, posted on X.
“Tonight, all 168 delegates of the North Carolina Democratic Party made history,” wrote Clayton.
Trump’s campaign quickly pivots to Harris after Biden announces decision to leave the race
Joe Biden’s drop out, less than four months before the presidential election, upends a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. Donald Trump and his party will now shift their focus to a new opponent.
Donald Trump ‘s campaign has spent the last year-and-a-half viciously attacking Joe Biden, ridiculing his policies, mocking his fumbles and relishing a rematch they felt they were winning.
But they have also spent weeks preparing for the possibility that Biden might exit the race, readying a bevy of attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris that they unleashed as soon as Biden made his stunning announcement Sunday that he would step aside. Biden soon after endorsed Harris, who was quickly winning support from Democrats to be the party’s nominee.
Though Trump aides had wanted Biden to remain in the race, they have argued a campaign against Harris — who they believe is the most likely Democratic nominee — wouldn’t be all that different from their race against Biden.
▶Read more about how Trump’s campaign tactics have changed
South Carolina’s Democratic delegation has voted to back Harris at next month’s convention
State party chair Christale Spain said in an email statement Sunday night that the delegation met virtually and that the vice president “has been fully vetted, and she has earned our unwavering support.”
Prominent progressives throw support behind Harris
- Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chair of the House Progressive Caucus, posted that she had spoken with Harris and is “1000% in for her to be our President!”
- Rep Ilahn Omar of Minnesota, deputy chair of the caucus, said she was “thrilled” to support Harris.
- New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also endorsed Harris on Sunday, saying that “now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy.”
- Rep. Greg Casar of Texas wrote that he was “ready” to elect Harris, highlighting future policy goals including higher “wages for workers” and “a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.”
Rep. Clyburn calls Harris the Democrats ‘best candidate’
FILE – In this May 27, 2020, file photo House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Now the highest-ranking Black American in Congress, Clyburn was speaking Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at a satellite rally in Columbia, S.C. “So there’s a lot of work for Black Lives Matter to do,” Clyburn told AP, “and I hope to live long enough to to help them get it done.” (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Rep. Jim Clyburn said on CNN Sunday evening that he was “not surprised at all” by Biden’s decision to drop out.
Of Harris, behind whom he threw his backing earlier Sunday, Clyburn said: “I do think she’s the best candidate, the best-prepared candidate, at this particular juncture.” Asked about Black voters’ willingness to support a female candidate, the South Carolina Democrat said that “you will never know until you get into the contest.”
On a possible running mate for Harris, Clyburn mentioned that he had seen support for Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Roy Cooper of North Carolina, the last of whom Clyburn posited would yield a “very good contest” should he be chosen.
Clyburn also added that Sen. Manchin “is free” to reregister as a Democrat should he desire to challenge Harris.
Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden ahead of South Carolina’s Democratic primary was pivotal to Biden’s nomination that cycle. Following Biden’s debate performance last month, Clyburn had said he would support a “mini primary” should the president drop out of the race.
WATCH: Dem. strategist says Biden ‘made the right call’ in dropping out of race
President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping his reelection bid against Donald Trump, in a social media post just months before voters go to the polls. Nathan Daschle, the former head of the Democratic Governors Association, says “while it’s not certain that the nominee will be Vice President Harris, she certainly starts off the strong position.”
Prominent Democratic governors back Harris
Harris has received endorsements from a handful of key Democratic governors, including some who have been floated as possible VP picks or presidential candidates themselves.
- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said that “she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump” and promised to campaign on Harris’ behalf. Cooper and Harris both served as former state attorneys general for North Carolina and California, respectively.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Californian and prominent Biden surrogate, said that “no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President.”
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that “the best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite” around Harris.
Black state attorneys general back Harris
By GARY FIELDS
The nation’s six Black state attorneys general threw their support behind Vice President Harris. In a statement on X, they laid out her qualifications and said she “has staunchly defended our right to choose and preserved our most sacred right to vote. There is no one more qualified to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation.”
The statement listed Letitia James, New York; Kwame Raoul, Illinois; Anthony Brown, Maryland; Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts; Keith Ellison, Minnesota; and Aaron Ford, Nevada.
‘Thank you, Joe’: Dozens gather outside the White House
Dozens of people are stopping in front of the White House as news of Biden’s departure from the campaign sets in, with chants of “Thank you, Joe” echoing among some of those gathered.
Some signs with messages like “We love you Joe!” were visible as adults and some children stopped in front of the presidential residence and workplace to take photos and just gaze upon the complex that serves as Biden’s home and seat of executive power.
Another sign read “You did it, Joe! Now let’s make some history,” a reference to Harris’ much-memed “We did it, Joe” exclamation during a phone call with Biden after their ticket won the 2020 election.
Biden is not in residence at the White House this weekend, as he recuperates from COVID-19 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
‘To me, this is an Obama moment’
The chair of the African American Mayors Association called on his fellow Black lawmakers to rally behind Harris and help the vice president “to tell the stories of what this administration has done in our communities” during a video call with lawmakers, strategists and media on Sunday evening.
“It’s going to be important for us to show our strength and our unity, that we support not only President Biden’s decision … but we appreciate him endorsing the vice president,” said Steven L. Reed, mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, and the chair of the African American Mayors Association. “That takes a lot of drama out of it.”
Reed said his fellow Black mayors are circulating a letter that will endorse Harris that will be released in the coming days.
“Black men have to be heard from,” Reed stressed, adding that he’d spoken with the campaign about ways to address the party’s image issues among Black men and “masculinity issues” in general.
“To me, this is an Obama moment. It is a sprint, and we need all hands on deck,” Reed said of the weeks before the party’s convention.
WATCH: AP Explains what happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris
By The Associated Press
With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris
Sen. Manchin considers reregistering as a Democrat to seek the party’s presidential nomination
Though some potential challengers to Harris for the Democratic bid have already made it clear they would not run now, there was some early indication that Harris might not be alone in running for the nomination. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering reregistering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to Jonathan Kott, a longtime adviser to Manchin.
The retiring Manchin, who repeatedly irked Democrats with his independent streak but was also a lynchpin on the Biden administration’s biggest legislative accomplishments, was the latest senator to call on Biden to drop his candidacy before the president made his announcement on Sunday.
Rev. Jesse Jackson endorses Harris
Rev. Jesse Jackson, the influential civil rights activist, former congressman and Democratic presidential candidate, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Sunday.
“Her track record as a successful Attorney General for California, US Senator, and her effective co-leadership with President Biden make her an ideal candidate to advance the Democratic agenda,” Jackson said in a statement.
“Black women have long been key players in American progress and pillars of the Democratic Party.” Jackson wrote that he is “looking forward” to the party’s convention “where we will unite in Chicago,” Jackson’s hometown.
Top national security officials highlight Biden’s foreign policy chops
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that Biden “has restored U.S. leadership around the world and delivered historic accomplishments.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in his own statement that Biden “has a secure place in American history as one of our great foreign-policy presidents.”
Biden’s wife Jill supported his decision, whatever it was, her spokesperson says
FILE – President Joe Biden listens as first lady Jill Biden speaks at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, N.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. At almost every stop last year, Jill Biden delivered a clear message to supporters as she campaigned for Democrats in the 2022 midterms. She’d tell them to put voting at the top of their to-do list. This year the first lady has a new task on her own list: helping President Joe Biden win a second term. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
“Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose,” said Jill Biden’s communication director.
“She’s his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be.”
Harris receives her first delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination
The Tennessee Democratic Party posted on X that its delegation voted during a meeting Sunday to back Harris after Biden’s departure from the campaign.
JUST IN: Democrats begin to rally around Harris after Biden exits 2024 campaign, though the dynamics remain in flux
By The Associated Press
Gov. Shapiro endorses Harris
FILE – In this Oct. 13, 2021, file photo, Pennsylvania’s Democratic attorney general Josh Shapiro speaks to a crowd in Pittsburgh, during his campaign launch address for Pennsylvania governor. Shapiro, the Democratic candidate for governor, is breaking with Gov. Tom Wolf on the centerpiece of Wolf’s plan to fight climate change amid the strong and sustained pushback it has received from building trades unions that have long backed the party’s candidates for governor. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the subject of speculation as a potential running mate for Harris, endorses her for the Democratic nomination for President.
Zelenskyy: ‘We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership’
“We respect today’s tough but strong decision” by Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X. “We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”
Zelenskyy spoke with former President Trump over the phone Friday. Both men described it as a good call on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
Biden’s son Hunter calls dad ‘unique’ figure
Hunter Biden said his father is a “unique” figure in public life and asked Americans to thank him.
Hunter Biden said the president’s “unconditional love” has been a North Star for his father as president and as a parent and that there is “no distance” between the two. He said he’s lucky that he gets to tell his dad every day that he loves him and to thank him. He asked the public to join him in doing the same.
Hunter Biden is awaiting sentencing after recently being convicted of felony gun charges.
Harris’ staff have also been in contact with high-ranking Democrats since the announcement Sunday, making the case to the various offices that the VP would appreciate their support in this transitional period.
Hollywood reacts to Joe Biden exiting the presidential race
Barbra Streisand, George Takei, Mark Hamill post reactions to President Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 White House race after disastrous debate, age concerns. (July 21)
Hollywood was quick to react to the news that President Joe Biden was ending his bid for reelection and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barbra Streisand, a Democratic supporter, wrote Sunday on X that “we should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy.” While many paid tribute to Biden’s presidency, others wondered about the future.
Cher wrote on X that she was “tortured” because she doesn’t believe the Democrats could win without Biden. She said it was time to think “way outside the box” and proposed a split ticket.
In recent weeks, several high-profile Hollywood names had begun calling for Biden to exit the race. Just weeks after headlining a record-breaking fundraiser for the president’s reelection campaign, George Clooney wrote a New York Times opinion piece calling for Biden to end his bid.
Clooney argued that the party should pick a new nominee, saying the process would be “messy” but “wake up” voters in the party’s favor.
Read more about the reaction out of Hollywood
Union’s praise Biden, who has called himself the most pro-union president ever
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said the organization’s 60 unions will meet to discuss next steps. The AFL-CIO had endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union’s president, Marc Perrone, said it is “absolutely imperative” that the next Democratic nominee “fully embraces President Biden’s strong labor legacy.”
The American Federation of Government Employees said it will work to continue the gains for workers that the union has seen under Biden and Harris.
The International Association of Fire Fighters said Biden “is undoubtedly the greatest President fire fighters and emergency medical workers have ever had.”
CWA said its members are focused on electing a president who will carry on Biden’s work. The CWA Executive Board will meet soon to review its endorsement.
Democrats are poised to attack Trump’s age
Democrats were poised to turn a political weakness that hounded Biden — his age — into an attack on Trump.
“This will probably boil down to Donald Trump, who is the oldest nominee in history, against Kamala Harris,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, a 27-year-old Democrat from Florida who has worked to reach young voters for Biden’s campaign.
Frost, who is endorsing Harris, pointed to the vice president’s work on gun violence protection as an issue that could engage young voters and said she “will be able to win back a lot of the youth vote.”
“She is someone who really values young voices in general,” he said.
Trump calls for Fox News to host next presidential debate
Trump is calling for the second presidential debate to be held on Fox News Channel, which is seen as friendlier to him, instead of ABC now that Biden has dropped out.
The former president said in a post on his social media network that whoever becomes the Democratic nominee should face him on that network “rather than the very biased ABC.” Trump and Biden had previously agreed to meet in a second debate on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC.
Biden’s Cabinet praise the president
By CAROLE FELDMAN, CURTIS YEE
Members of Biden’s Cabinet are praising the president’s legacy and his administration.
Biden’s campaign seeks donations for Harris
Biden is urging his vast list of supporters to contribute to what is now the campaign to get Harris elected.
In an email sent Sunday afternoon, Biden reiterated his earlier message announcing his withdrawal and his endorsement of Harris, which said picking her as his running mate is the “best decision I’ve made.”
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden wrote. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. And if you’re with us, donate to her campaign here.”
Harris hits the phones
As Vice President Harris looks to lock up the party’s nomination, she is hitting the phones and making her case to Democrats in Congress.
She spoke with Democratic lawmakers Sunday, including Rep. Annie Kuster, the chair of a moderate group called the New Democrat Coalition. Kuster endorsed Harris on Sunday afternoon.
The vice president quickly won endorsements from leadership in several influential caucuses. While some Democrats remained silent on who they want for a nominee, many others said the party should immediately assemble behind Harris. They want to quickly move past the painful, public deliberations that have marked the weeks since the July 27 debate.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also said that Democrats shouldn’t automatically anoint Harris as their new nominee.
Kennedy said that Democrats seem to be doing so “because it’s the easiest way to hold onto the money.” Not opening up the nomination process, Kennedy warned, would “discredit the process.”
Kennedy praises Biden’s ‘long career in public service’
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commended Biden for a “long career in public service.”
He said in a news conference at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts that Biden displayed “admirable conduct and empathy” in his career.
Kennedy then continued with his traditional stump speech, saying both the Republican and Democratic parties prioritize the interests of corporations.
Kennedy began his campaign by challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination but later switched to running an independent bid.
Harris inherits Biden’s campaign infrastructure
President Biden’s campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation — a sign of the prohibitive leg up she has in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, also filed paperwork changing the names of their joint fundraising committees to reflect Harris’ candidacy.
A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single state’s primary.
Early reaction from Republican governors to Biden is mixed
Some Republican governors criticized Harris, while others called the decision an “early defeat” and said Biden’s successor would be saddled with his policies.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis accused Harris of being among individuals who weren’t honest with the American people about Biden’s ability to serve as president.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Biden made the “right decision.” But she also said whoever ends up leading the Democratic ticket will still have to defend Biden’s policies.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was a finalist to join Trump on the GOP ticket, called Biden’s announcement an “early defeat” for Democrats. Burgum said it doesn’t matter which Democrat leads the ticket going forward because “we have President Trump at the top of our ticket and he is stronger than ever.”
UK, Germany, Russia and Canada react to Biden ending his reelection bid
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged Russians to “pay attention” and “watch what will happen” in the U.S. election in November now that Biden has withdrawn his candidacy.
Peskov was quoted by Russian pro-Kremlin tabloid Life.ru as saying that “there are still four months until the elections. And this is a long period, during which a lot can change.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Biden a friend and said the president has achieved a lot for the U.S., Europe and the world. Scholz cited a strong NATO and close transatlantic cooperation as examples.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met Biden for the first time just this month, said he knows Biden reached his decision based on what he believes is in the “best interests of the American people.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Biden a “great man” and a “partner to Canadians.”
JUST IN: Biden still plans to meet this week with Israeli PM Netanyahu after ending reelection campaign, AP source says
In addition to his planned address to the country, Biden still intends to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, according to a person familiar with the president’s schedule who was not authorized to comment publicly.
The exact timing of the meeting is still not set in stone as Biden continues to recover from COVID-19. Netanyahu is scheduled on Wednesday to deliver an address to Congress and he is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris while in Washington.
Biden and Harris spoke before announcement
Biden and Harris spoke multiple times earlier Sunday ahead of the president’s announcement, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the calls.
JUST IN: South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, credited with helping Biden win the 2020 nomination, endorses Harris for president
FILE – Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., arrives before President Joe Biden speaks at an event to celebrate Black History Month, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Rep. James E. Clyburn is working on a history book that he also calls a “passion project.” He is telling the story of the eight Black congressmen who represented South Carolina in the decades immediately following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Clyburn, a co-chair of Biden’s campaign, said Biden showed good judgment in choosing a running mate who “possessed the values and vision necessary.” He said he was proud to follow Biden’s lead in supporting Harris.
Clyburn also heaped praise on Biden and said he “improved the lives of countless Americans through his selfless service,” and thanked him for “his unparagoned leadership.”
Democrat endorsements for Harris roll in
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Many Democratic lawmakers immediately backed Vice President Harris for the nomination, including the Congressional Black Caucus and a swath of Democratic senators.
- Washington Sen. Patty Murray said she is behind Harris “100 percent.”
- South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of Biden’s closest allies, said, “I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy.”
- Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said she “has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation.”
- Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said he will be “enthusiastically supporting my friend.”
- Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and California Sen. Laphonza Butler also said they would support Harris.
- Along with many Democratic House lawmakers, the Congressional Black Caucus — a key constituency for any nominee — said it “fully backs” the vice president.
But not every Democrat praising President Biden has offered Harris an endorsement. Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont stopped short of throwing their support behind Harris. Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press that he thinks the party needs to “take a little pause and express our appreciation for the president.”
“We have to be making our decisions first and foremost about who can best represent us so we can defeat Trump,” Welch said.
By ADRIANA GOMEZ
The Republican National Committee’s chairman Michael Whatley and co-chairman Lara Trump, issued a statement linking Vice President Harris with Biden’s policies on the border, economy and foreign affairs and accusing her of hiding the president’s “declining health.”
“Not only would Harris be a disaster in the White House, but she also helped Biden cover up his declining health while in office, which destroys her credibility,” the statement said. “As Democrats fall apart, President Trump is uniting the American people behind his winning agenda.”
Read the letter that Biden wrote to say he would no longer seek reelection
By The Associated Press
