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Kamala Harris and Joe Biden hit out at ‘whining’ Donald Trump in first joint campaign rally

REUTERS
REUTERS

Joe Biden and his newly-chosen presidential running mate Kamala Harris have hit out at “whining” Donald trump as they campaigned together for the first time.

The former rivals for the Democratic nomination accused the current US president of leaving the country “in tatters” as they launched their bid to make history.

If they win November’s election, Ms Harris, 55, will be the first black woman and South Asian American to serve as vice president.

Speaking from a high school gym in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, Mr Biden hailed the California senator as “smart, tough, experienced” and “a proven fighter for the backbone of this country”.

The pair took to the stage together sporting matching masks (AP)
The pair took to the stage together sporting matching masks (AP)

“Kamala knows how to govern. She knows how to make the hard calls. She’s ready to do this job on day one,” he said.

Mr Biden, 77, spoke of her experience questioning Trump administration officials in the US Senate, and highlighted the historic nature of her pick – noting she is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica.

“This morning, all across the nation, little girls woke up – especially little black and brown girls, who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities, Mr Biden said.

“But today, today, just maybe, they’re seeing themselves for the first time in a new way.”

Joe Biden hailed his number two as an inspiration to girls across the country (Getty Images)
Joe Biden hailed his number two as an inspiration to girls across the country (Getty Images)

Mr Biden went on: "The choice we make this November is going to decide the future of America for a very, very long time.

"Donald Trump has already started his attacks, calling Kamala, quote, nasty, whining about how she is, quote, mean to his appointees.

"It's not a surprise because whining is what Donald Trump does best, better than any president in American history.

"Is anybody surprised that Donald Trump has a problem with a strong woman, or strong women across the board?"

Taking to the stage after him, the former prosecutor said she was “mindful of all the ambitious women before me, whose sacrifice, determination and resilience makes my presence here today even possible.”

“I am ready to get to work,” she said.

Kamala Harris said she was 'ready to get to work' (AP)
Kamala Harris said she was 'ready to get to work' (AP)

She then launched into an attack on Mr Trump, lambasting him for a lack of leadership on the pandemic.

“This is a moment of real consequence for America. Everything we care about – our economy, our health, our children, the kind of country we live in – it’s all on the line,” she said.

The event began an hour late and was not open to the public, owing to coronavirus risks.

Both candidates walked on stage wearing masks to address a socially distanced group of journalists.

The event was the first in a roll-out that Mr Biden’s aides say blends the historic nature of Ms Harris’s selection with the difficulties of the 2020 campaign in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

The US remains the country with the highest number of confirmed infections and deaths – with more than 5.3 million cases recorded to date.

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