By Burnett Munthali
President Joe Biden’s recent decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination presents Harris with a unique chance to make further history. As the first woman and the first woman of color to serve as Vice President, Harris is now positioned to become the first woman President of the United States.
In a letter announcing his departure from the race, Biden expressed deep gratitude to Harris. “I want to thank Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work,” he wrote. The endorsement was further emphasized in a social media post featuring a photo of the two of them on the White House grounds. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Biden added.
Harris’s path to this opportunity has not been without challenges. During her own 2020 presidential campaign, she had notable confrontations with Biden, particularly on policy issues. Despite this, Biden’s pledge to select a running mate who was both a woman and experienced led him to choose Harris, who had previously served as California’s Attorney General and a U.S. Senator.
Now, with Biden’s endorsement, Harris faces the task of rallying the Democratic base and navigating the upcoming election, building on her significant achievements and experience. Her candidacy is poised to continue breaking barriers and reshaping the future of American politics.
