Kamala Harris makes unexpected early DNC appearance, lauds Biden

Harris attends Day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Reuters)

Kamala Harris has made a surprise early appearance at the start of Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago where she is set to be crowned as the new presidential nominee.

Thousands of delegates on Monday gave the vice president a rapturous reception ahead of what is expected to be a farewell address by the 81-year-old Biden following his decision to quit the 2024 White House race.

"I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president Joe Biden," said Harris to cheers from the crowd as she took the stage.

"Joe, thank you for your historic leadership for your lifetime of service to our nation. We are forever grateful to you."

Harris will give her keynote speech at the culmination of the convention on Thursday.

Later on Monday, Biden will be facing the party that pushed him out of the race over concerns about his age, but is get ting a hero's welcome as Democrats thank him for stepping aside for Harris.

Biden insisted that he was at peace with his decision, despite reports that he is still angry at being forced out.

"I am," Biden told reporters when asked if he was ready to pass the torch to Harris, as he did a sound check at the convention center.

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters

Protests against Israel's genocidal war on Gaza earlier shadowed the Democratic convention, with thousands of demonstrators marching through Chicago.

A group of protesters broke off from a larger march involving thousands of people and breached the metal barriers surrounding the United Center on the first day of the party gathering.

Police in blue helmets with shields and carrying black batons prevented them from getting to the inner cordon. One demonstrator clad in black was carried out by their arms and legs by several officers.

Activists have called for mass demonstrations throughout the week against the Biden administration's support for Israel's war on Gaza.

Biden's legacy

The day will undoubtedly bring mixed emotions for Biden.

But as he sees out the last months of his presidency, he will be all too aware that his legacy, — that will be remembered closely with his support to Tel Aviv's genocidal war on Gaza as protestors argue — hinges on whether Harris can beat the 78-year-old Trump — and that if she doesn't, many will blame him for clinging on so long.

Trump, meanwhile, has been sent into a tailspin by what he calls the "coup" by Democrats.

He tried to drag the attention back to himself with a rally in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Monday in which he highlighted what he called Harris' "craziness" and said she "has no idea what the hell she's doing" on the economy.

While Democrats meet in Chicago, the Republican is crisscrossing the country, with rallies scheduled in Michigan, North Carolina and Arizona through the week.

In another attempt to shift attention from Harris, Republicans in the House of Representatives lodged a formal impeachment report against Biden.

Source: TRT World