Biden picks Kamala Harris as presidential running mate

WASHINGTON: United States presidential candidate Joe Biden named Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, marking a historic first for American women of colour.

Biden’s announcement has ended a months-long search for a partner to challenge President Donald Trump in November. If elected, Kamala Harris would become America’s first female and first black vice president.

While revealing his running mate, Biden said Harris is a “fearless fighter” and one of the country’s finest public servants. “I’m proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.”

The decision was announced on social media and was a crucial moment for Biden as he aims to build a broad coalition of voters to oust Trump from the White House.

Harris, who at 55 is two decades younger than Biden, could appeal to younger voters and women, particularly those in the suburbs who have been fleeing Trump.

The former California attorney general is the first person of Indian descent in the running mate role, and personifies the diversity seen as key to building enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket.

She is the third female vice-presidential nominee for a major party, after the unsuccessful runs of Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008. 

.@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he’s spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he’ll build an America that lives up to our ideals.

I’m honored to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 11, 2020

Harris, who ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination against Biden, said she was “honored” to join the ticket and would “do what it takes” to help him win. “@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he’s spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he’ll build an America that lives up to our ideals,” she tweeted.

Biden would be the oldest person to take the office and is likely confident that Harris has the policy and governing experience to help lead on day one, and immediately step into the job as president if needed.

Trump poured scorn on Biden’s announcement, saying he was “surprised” at his choice given what Trump called Harris’s lackluster performance in the Democratic nomination race.

Biden’s pick of Harris drew ringing endorsements from other quarters including from Barack Obama. “She is more than prepared for the job,” tweeted Trump’s predecessor. “This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing.”

Let’s go win this, @KamalaHarris. pic.twitter.com/O2EYo6rYyk

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2020

Harris has broken barriers for much of her career. Her parents were immigrants to the United States – her father from Jamaica, her mother from India. She was the first black woman elected as California’s attorney general, and only the second black woman, and first person of South Asian heritage, to serve in the US Senate.

Biden’s team stated that the two Democrats will deliver remarks on Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware as they kick off their joint campaign. The party convenes its Democratic National Convention next week largely online due to the coronavirus pandemic when Biden and Harris will both deliver acceptance speeches.

Harris clashed with Biden during the first Democratic debate last year. It provided her with a breakout moment which proved short-lived as Harris exited the race in December 2019 and endorsed Biden in March.