Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised US Vice President Kamala Harris whilst noting her potential to break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” by becoming the country's first woman president.
ADVERTISEMENTUS Vice President Kamala Harris made an unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to pay tribute to US President Joe Biden.
During her time on stage, she expressed deep gratitude for Biden’s leadership, stating, "Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you."
The Democrats are hoping that this weeklong convention will propel Harris forward as she prepares to face off in the next presidential election against Republican Donald Trump, who Democrats view as a major threat to the country's future.
As Harris recently became the lead democrat nominee after Biden dropped out, she now faces the challenge of winning over a divided electorate that is still forming its opinion on the upcoming election.
Biden delivered his farewell speech to the convention on Monday night, emphasising that he holds no grudges about the conclusion of his term and urging the party to unite behind Harris. “I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” Biden said.
Biden was greeted with a four-minute ovation and chants of “Thank you, Joe,” to which he responded: “America, I love you.”
Reflecting on his choice of Harris as his running mate, Biden called it “the best decision I made in my whole career,” praising her toughness, experience, and integrity. He also highlighted her journey as embodying the best of the American story, drawing a parallel to his own career path as Vice President.
Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, joined Biden on stage after his speech, embracing him and his family. Earlier, Harris had reiterated her gratitude to Biden, saying: "We are forever grateful to you.".
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton salutes Harris
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on the long list of high profile people to show her support as she paid tribute to Harris. She noted her potential to break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” and become the first woman president.
Clinton, who was the Democratic nominee in 2016, emphasised that Harris’s potential victory would pave the way for others.
Clinton praised Biden for stepping aside, saying: “Now we are writing a new chapter in America’s story.”
The convention featured a range of speakers, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed Harris and addressed the war in Gaza, an issue that has deeply divided the party.
Biden acknowledges antiwar protesters
Outside the convention, thousands of protesters gathered to oppose the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
A few minutes into Biden's speech, protesters from the Abandon Biden movement raised a protest sign that read: “STOP ARMING ISRAEL”
In response to this, the lights in that section of the convention were quickly switched off and the sign was taken down. Biden supporters chanted “We love Joe” as a result.
ADVERTISEMENTHowever Biden did acknowledge that “those protesters out in the street have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.", reiterating his call for a ceasefire that would include the release of hostages taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas on 7 October 2023.