1 of 3 | US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff view Fourth of July fireworks from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, July 4, 2024. File Photo by Tierney L. Cross/UPI | License Photo
July 21 (UPI) — After dropping out of the 2024 election, President Joe Biden has formally endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as his pick to receive his endorsement to become the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” Biden said in a statement on X.
Biden said that his first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Harris as his vice president, which he called “the best decision” he has made.
His endorsement of his V.P. is no surprise, especially after thanking her for her support of him in his decision to drop out of the race moments earlier.
Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands began rallying for the vice president moments after the announcement was made.
Rep. James Clyburn, D-SC said he was “all in” for Biden during an interview with the TODAY show on July 12, but said in the same conversation he would “absolutely” support Harris if it came to that. Sunday, it did. Clyburn said he supports Biden’s decision to endorse Harris.
“I’ve had the honor and privilege of Calling President Joe Biden a friend for many years. When I endorsed then-candidate Biden in 2020, I noted how I could think of no one with the integrity and no one more committed to the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our great country than him,” Clyburn said in a statement Sunday.
Clyburn cited Biden’s focus on health care, t affordability of higher education, and infrastructures, among other things, as reasons he supported the president’s candidacy in 2020, and why he will back Harris as the 2024 nominee.
“One of President Biden’s first decisions as the nominee was to select a running mate that he believed possessed the values and vision necessary to continue this country’s pursuit toward a ‘more perfect Union.’ I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee for President.”
Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison, who defended Biden even after the poor debate performance, said in a statement on X that “the American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years.”
“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November.