On Tuesday night, during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, United States Vice President Kamala Harris made her first public appearance as the Democratic presidential candidate alongside her newly selected running mate, Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota. They both took the stage and delivered speeches.
Harris proudly declared, “Today, I stand before you to announce that I am officially the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.” She then introduced her running mate, Walz, praising him as a partner who can help build a bright future, unite the country, advocate for the middle class, and uphold the exceptional promises of America.
Harris applauded Walz for his record in defending abortion rights and voting rights as the Governor, highlighting his significant expansion of voting rights in Minnesota in over 50 years. She promised that they would work together to pursue national legislation in these two areas.
In his speech, Walz emphasized his down-to-earth image. He expressed his lifelong honor at being nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate by Harris, joking that it felt like the “first day of school.” He shared his life experiences in the Midwest, including his childhood, military service, and 20 years as a high school social studies teacher.
Walz’s advocacy for marijuana legalization, worker protections, abortion rights, and stricter gun control has garnered support from the left wing of the Democratic Party. He highlighted the importance of compromise without compromising his values during his tenure as a Congressman.
Walz also praised Harris in his speech, commending her for standing up against corporate interests and serving the people by improving their lives.
President Biden lauded Harris’s “great decision” and stated that both Harris and Walz would be strong voices for the working class and middle class in America. Walz has received recognition and support from liberal and moderate Democrats, with Senator Joe Manchin calling him a “true representative.”
Walz criticized former President Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, calling their positions “peculiar” and stating that they view the world differently. He expressed eagerness to debate with the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Vance.
According to Voice of America, Trump’s campaign team labeled Walz as a “dangerous libertarian extremist,” accusing him of trying to impose California’s values on the entire country.
Harris launched her campaign after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race last month, breaking fundraising records and narrowing Trump’s growing lead in the polls. A recent poll conducted by UMass Amherst showed Harris leading Trump by three percentage points nationally. In comparison, in January, Trump led Biden by four percentage points. Currently, in swing states, Harris and Trump are neck and neck in terms of support.
The selection of a running mate is considered Harris’s first significant decision after securing the Democratic presidential nomination. They will continue campaigning in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada.