Kamala Harris Lauds Biden in First Public Remarks Since His Withdrawal: His Legacy is ‘Unmatched’

Vice President Kamala Harris lauded President Joe Biden for his legacy and character in brief introductory remarks during her first public address after he exited the presidential election race and endorsed her 2024 campaign.

Harris was called in to speak at an event on the White House south lawn Monday to congratulate the NCAA teams that won championships in its recently concluded season. Biden, who was due to speak at the event originally, was unable to attend as he continues to to recover from covid at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Opening her address, ahead of a speech directed to the athletes, the vice president began: “Our president, Joe Biden, wanted to be here today. He is feeling much better and recovering fast, and he looks forward to getting back on the road, and I wanted to say a few words about our president. Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history.”

Harris continued: “In one term he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office, and I first came to know president Biden through his son Beau. We worked together as attorneys general in our states, and back then Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would talk about the kind of father and the kind of man that Joe Biden is, the qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president.

She added: “His honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart, and his love, deep love of our country, and I am first hand witness that every day our president Joe Biden fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation.”

Moments before her appearance on stage Harris announced she would head to Wilmington, Delaware, late Monday afternoon to meet campaign staff. Wilmington is the headquarters of the Biden-Harris campaign.