Harris praises Biden’s 'courageous' decision to step aside

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday lauded President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, calling it "one of the most courageous" actions a president could take.

Speaking at an event in Las Vegas sponsored by Univision, Harris said that Biden put the country above personal interests by stepping aside, allowing her to secure the Democratic nomination.

"History will show it was one of the most courageous decisions a president could make," Harris said, referring to Biden’s July 21 decision to exit the race after facing mounting pressure from Democratic officials concerned about his age and fitness for office.

Harris's remarks, delivered in English and dubbed into Spanish, come as she ramps up her campaign in a close race against former President Donald Trump.

During the event, a voter who was leaning toward Trump expressed concern over Biden’s exit and questioned why Harris became the Democratic nominee without a competitive primary.

In response, Harris reiterated her belief that the stakes in this election are extraordinarily high, framing it as a choice between democracy and authoritarianism, a theme that has run through her campaign.

Harris, who has locked down support from enough Democratic delegates to secure the nomination, also noted the stark contrast between Biden’s actions and Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 election.

"We are literally deciding between the rule of law and democracy, or admiration for dictators," she said, drawing a direct line between her platform and Trump’s record.

The Trump campaign has not directly responded to Harris’s latest remarks, but the former president recently announced that he would not participate in a second debate with Harris, turning down an invitation from Fox News for an event scheduled in late October.

Trump’s decision comes just weeks before the November 5 election, raising questions about his campaign strategy as polls show a tight race between the two candidates.

Harris, meanwhile, has seen success in fundraising, amassing over $1 billion in just 80 days since her campaign launch—an impressive sum that has outpaced Trump’s total for the year.

Her strong financial position underscores the growing support for her candidacy, particularly among key voting blocs like Hispanic voters, whom she addressed in a recent town hall in Nevada.

Polling data from The New York Times reveals that Harris and Trump are effectively tied in several battleground states, making the election highly competitive.

National polls also show Harris holding a slight lead with 48.6% of support compared to Trump’s 45.9%, a margin that remains within typical polling error ranges.

As both candidates vie for crucial swing states, Harris is leveraging her debate performance to connect with undecided voters, highlighting her policy stances on issues like the economy and immigration.

Trump, for his part, continues to rally his core supporters, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of inflation and border security while questioning the integrity of the election process.

With the lack of a second debate, the final weeks of the campaign will see both candidates relying on rallies and media appearances to sway public opinion ahead of Election Day.