Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has named Senator Kamala Harris of California as his pick for Vice President. Harris, who ran against Biden during the primary process, is going to be the first Black and South Asian woman on the country’s top ticket. Despite coming from a traditionally blue state, Harris serves as a historic choice for the country.
Before becoming senator, Kamala Harris – daughter to an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father – served as a San Francisco District Attorney and then California’s first Black Attorney General. As former President Barack Obama described Biden’s running mate on Twitter, "She is more than prepared for the job. She's spent her career defending our Constitution and fighting for folks who need a fair shake."
Before dropping out of the presidential race, Ms. Harris had repeatedly clashed with Biden during the primary election debates, sharply criticizing former Vice President’s stance on bussing, as well as Biden’s relations with senators who supported racial segregation. Notably, Joe Biden’s VP choice signifies his willingness to listen and accept criticism, committing to a running mate pick who would speak her mind freely.
Kamala Harris had also worked with Joe Biden’s late son Beau, earning former Vice President’s praise and respect. “Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign,” Biden added on Twitter.
At a White House news conference on Tuesday, Donald Trump claimed he, as a Republican, was pleased with his opponent’s choice of Vice President. Calling Harris "extraordinarily nasty" and a “phony”, President Trump highlighted just how “very, very poorly” Senator Harris did during her presidential campaign.
Kamala Harris is set to debate Trump’s running mate, Vice President Mike Pence, on October 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. With Harris, who’s known as an eloquent and persuasive speaker, Democrats expect a highly successful match.