As it happenedended1597269484

Kamala Harris news - Senator pays tribute to Beau after Joe Biden gives rousing speech taking aim at Trump

Oliver O'Connell
Wednesday 12 August 2020 22:26 BST
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Who is Kamala Harris?

The veepstakes have come to an end: on Tuesday Joe Biden selected California senator and former state attorney general Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman to run as vice president on a major political party's ticket.

Mr Biden and Ms Harris kicked off their campaign with a joint appearance in Delaware in which they both gave personal, passionate speeches that told their very different stories and how they were drawn together by Beau Biden.

Earlier endorsements and congratulations poured in from Democratic Party luminaries, including former president Barack Obama, and Ms Harris' fellow contenders to join Mr Biden on the 2020 ticket. Majority leader of the House Nancy Pelosi described Ms Harris as "the best possible person" Mr Biden could have chosen.

The Trump campaign quickly responded to the news, describing Ms Harris as "phony" and predicting she will prove to be former vice president Biden's "political living will." President Donald Trump referred to her as "nasty" and as a liar.

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The veepstakes have come to an end: Joe Biden has selected California senator and former state attorney general Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman to run as vice president on a major political party's ticket.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:16
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Trump instantly lashes out at Kamala Harris as Joe Biden announces her for VP pick

The Trump campaign quickly responded to Joe Biden selecting California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, describing her as "phony" and predicting she will prove to be the former vice president's "political living will."

"Clearly, Phony Kamala will abandon her own morals, as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor, in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat Party," the campaign said in a statement. "Joe Biden is no moderate, and with Harris as his 'political living will,' he is surrendering control of our nation to the radical mob with promises to raise taxes, cut police funding, kill energy jobs, open our borders, and appease socialist dictators."

The president is expected to speak at 5.30.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:20
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Former second lady to potential future second husband: "Are you ready?"

Jill Biden, Joe Biden's wife and former second lady of the US, has reached out Kamala Harris's husband, who – if the candidates are elected – would be the nation's first ever second husband.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:21
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Photo captures Joe Biden selecting Kamala Harris as VP pick

Because it's 2020, it appears to have been done over Zoom.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:25
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Obama weighs in: 'This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing'

Former president Barack Obama says Kamala Harris is "more than prepared" for the role of vice president, handing Joe Biden the "ideal partner to tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead."

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:29
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Former veep contenders show support for Harris

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:35
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Bernie Sanders: Harris 'understands what it takes to stand up for working people, fight for health care for all, and take down the most corrupt administration in history'

Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris' colleague in the Senate and a former presidential campaign trail rival, has congratulated the California senator selected as Joe Biden's running mate.

Progressives have criticised Harris for her record as a prosecutor and "top cop" while promoting incremental reforms following widespread protests against police brutality.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:45
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Joe Biden told us long ago he would pick Kamala Harris – now we know why

 In the end, Joe Biden, mindful of his 78th birthday in November, did exactly what he said he would by picking the running mate he felt was best-suited to take over as president.

The every-four-years drama known as the "Veepstakes" literally decides who would become one major health issue or non-existent heartbeat away from becoming the leader of the free world. Mr Biden would be 78 years old when he would be sworn in, if he can hold his leads over Donald Trump nationally and in key swing states.

Enter Kamala Harris.

The Independent's Washington chief John T Bennett breaks down the pick:

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 22:50
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How the former prosecutor who skewered Biden in the debates built her career on being first

Kamala Harris is first woman of colour to run as vice president on a major political party's presidential ticket.

If she and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is running against Donald Trump for the presidency, were to win come November, Ms Harris would become the first woman and first person of colour to hold that position.

Danielle Zoellner profiles the senator's career of firsts:

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 23:00
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Trump calls Harris a liar and 'very, very nasty' to Joe Biden

Following the Trump campaign's immediate attack ad against Kamala Harris after Joe Biden's announcement, the president – asked about her record during a White House briefing – said "she lied" and "she said things that are untrue."

A reporter asked for his comments about her record as a prosecutor on marijuana arrests years before she joked about marijuana during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club as she sought the party's nomination.

"She is a person who told many, many stories that are untrue," he said.

He also said she was "very, very nasty" and "disrespectful" to Biden during the campaign.

Alex Woodward11 August 2020 23:04

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