“We are eternally grateful” to Joe Biden, an “incredible” president, Kamala Harris said Monday evening, cheered during a first and brief appearance at the Democratic convention in Chicago.
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The American president will later deliver a speech in support of the vice-president, a moment inevitably tinged with regret, even bitterness, for someone who just a month ago thought he would receive his party’s nomination.
“Let us fight for the ideals that we hold dear. And let us never forget: when we fight, we win!” said Kamala Harris, who will face Republican Donald Trump in November.
The party’s high mass has so far not been disrupted by massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Protesters briefly breached an outer security perimeter on Monday. Police blocked them and one of them, dressed in black, was arrested, AFP journalists at the scene saw.
“Glad he’s quitting”
Just a month ago, Democrats expected to half-heartedly swear in the octogenarian president, mired in the polls.
But now, after her incredible withdrawal on July 21, they are starting to dream again 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.
By promising a protectionist shift and massive deregulation, the former Republican president attacked Kamala Harris’ “communist” plans and claimed without any evidence that she had staged a “putsch” against Joe Biden.
Will
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 political life.
“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 argue for the defense of democracy against Donald Trump.
The emotion will be at its 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 scheduled to fly to California for a vacation.
No tears, however, from the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, angry at the Biden-Harris administration’s policy of supporting Israel.
Their first gathering on Monday, with several thousand people, was however far from reaching the target 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.
An unsuccessful candidate against Donald Trump in 2016, when she was the favorite, her presence will perhaps remind Democrats to exercise a certain amount of caution.
The billionaire is looking for a way to counter the attacks from the opposing camp.
“We’re extremely normal people,” the 78-year-old candidate said Monday, for example, about himself and his running mate JD Vance, whom Democrats have labeled as a “weird” man.
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 one criminal case and prosecutions in several others.
He remains adored by his base, even more so since the assassination attempt he suffered in July.
“I don’t see us as favorites at all,” Kamala Harris warned on Sunday.
