In Chicago, Harris pays tribute to Biden

Photo: Brynn Anderson Associated Press “Let's fight for the ideals that are dear to us. And let's never forget: when we fight, we win!” Kamala Harris said at the Democratic convention on Monday, August 19.

Aurélia End – Agence France-Presse in Chicago

Published at 18:22 Updated at 22:14

• United States

“We are forever grateful” to Joe Biden, an “incredible” president, Kamala Harris said Monday night, cheered during a first and brief appearance at the Democratic convention in Chicago.

The American president is later to deliver a speech in support of the vice president, a moment inevitably tinged with regret, even bitterness, for the man who just a month ago thought he would receive his party’s nomination.

“Let’s fight for the ideals that are dear to us. And let’s never forget: when we fight, we win!” declared Kamala Harris, who will face Republican Donald Trump in November.

The party’s grand mass has so far not been disrupted by massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Demonstrators briefly breached an external security perimeter on Monday. The police blocked them and one of them, dressed in black, was arrested, AFP journalists noted on the scene.

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“Glad he dropped out”

Just a month ago, Democrats expected to give the octogenarian president, mired in the polls, a half-hearted nomination.

But now, after his incredible withdrawal on July 21, they are once again dreaming of a victory thanks to their 59-year-old candidate.

“I love [Joe Biden] but I was absolutely delighted when he dropped out because he was dragging us down,” said Harry Pascal, a Democratic activist.

Donald Trump, who has planned trips to several decisive states this week, discussed his economic program on Monday in one of them, Pennsylvania.

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By promising a protectionist shift and massive deregulation, the former Republican president attacked Kamala Harris' “communist” plans and suggested without any evidence that she had staged a “putsch” against Joe Biden.

Photo: Morry Gash Associated Press Kamala Harris at the Democratic convention in Chicago, Monday, August 19

Testament

For the president, who will be preceded on stage by his wife, Jill Biden, and then announced by his daughter Ashley, this speech will have a testamentary dimension, at the end of half a century of life politics.

“It will be a rewarding moment” for him, assured White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, assuring that he was “eager to talk about the historic successes he has achieved for our country with the vice president.”

The 81-year-old president is also expected to plead for the defense of democracy against Donald Trump.

Emotions will be at their peak if, as rumor has it, Kamala Harris returns to the stage, at his side, on Monday evening.

As soon as his speech is over, Joe Biden is to fly off for a vacation in California.

No tears, however, from the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, angry at the administration's policy of supporting Israel Biden-Harris.

Their first rally on Monday, with several thousand people, was nevertheless far from reaching the goal of 50,000 participants sometimes put forward.

Obama

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama will also speak at the convention.

As will former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will deliver a speech in the evening.

A failed candidate against Donald Trump in 2016, when she was the favorite, her presence may remind Democrats to exercise a certain caution.

The billionaire is looking for a way to counter attacks from the opposing camp.

“We are extremely normal people,” the 78-year-old candidate said on Monday, for example, about himself and his running mate J.D. Vance, whom Democrats have labeled as a “man” “weird.”

Kamala Harris' lead in the polls, however, remains within the statistical margin of error.

Donald Trump dominates the Republican Party, despite his historic conviction in a criminal case and prosecutions in several others.

He remains idolized by his base, even more so since the assassination attempt he was the victim of in July.

“I don't see us as favorites at all,” Kamala Harris warned on Sunday.