US Democrats back Harris as she begins campaigning

Harris's campaign said it had raised a stunning $49.6 million in grassroots donations in less than 24 hours since Biden endorsed her on Sunday. / Photo: AP

Democrats have rapidly coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as she raced to secure the party's nomination to take on Donald Trump in November, in the wake of President Joe Biden's sensational exit from the race.

Armed with Biden's endorsement, the 59-year-old won the backing of a flood of Democratic leaders on her first full day of campaigning on Monday.

Ahead of a first trip to campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris presided over a White House celebration for championship college basketball teams.

She praised Biden as leaving a legacy "unmatched in modern history."

She did not reference her own sudden elevation to presidential candidate in the brief remarks.

But the symbolism of the current vice president having the White House to herself in the absence of Biden, who is nursing a Covid infection at his Delaware beach house, was striking.

Source: TRT World