Kamala Harris news - Senator pays tribute to Beau after Joe Biden gives rousing speech taking aim at Trump

Who is Kamala Harris?

The veepstakes have come to an end: on Tuesday Joe Biden selected California senator and former state attorney general Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman to run as vice president on a major political party's ticket.

Mr Biden and Ms Harris kicked off their campaign with a joint appearance in Delaware in which they both gave personal, passionate speeches that told their very different stories and how they were drawn together by Beau Biden.

Earlier endorsements and congratulations poured in from Democratic Party luminaries, including former president Barack Obama, and Ms Harris' fellow contenders to join Mr Biden on the 2020 ticket. Majority leader of the House Nancy Pelosi described Ms Harris as "the best possible person" Mr Biden could have chosen.

The Trump campaign quickly responded to the news, describing Ms Harris as "phony" and predicting she will prove to be former vice president Biden's "political living will." President Donald Trump referred to her as "nasty" and as a liar.

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Key Points

• Rousing, humanising speeches from both Biden and Harris
• 'I have no doubt that I picked the right person to join me as the next Vice President of the United States of America,' says Biden
• By choosing Kamala Harris, Joe Biden just torpedoed Trump's top election tactic
• 'Top cop’: What is Kamala Harris’ history with the police?
• It’s been a long road to Kamala Harris being named as the VP pick – here’s what Joe Biden needs to do next

[11 August 2020 23:10 · Alex Woodward]

SNL fans have hilarious reaction to Kamala Harris being announced as Biden's VP pick

Maya Rudolph, the former Saturday Night Live featured player, has frequently returned to the show throughout the 2020 presidential campaign playing Kamala Harris.

[11 August 2020 23:19 · Alex Woodward]

[11 August 2020 23:25 · Alex Woodward]

Sarah Palin has some advice for Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is now the third woman vice presidential candidate.

Sarah Palin, John McCain's former running mate in his unsuccessful bid against Barack Obama in 2008, was the second, following Geraldine Ferraro, who ran alongside Walter Mondale in 1984 against Ronald Reagan.

Lesson No. 1: "Out of the chute trust no one new."

[11 August 2020 23:30 · Alex Woodward]

It’s been a long road to Kamala Harris being named as the VP pick – here’s what Joe Biden needs to do next

The California senator was the obvious choice, but that doesn't mean she hasn't had to fight against opposition – including in her own party. Biden has to ensure she is protected.

Michael Arceneaux writes:

[11 August 2020 23:40 · Alex Woodward]

[12 August 2020 00:00 · Alex Woodward]

By choosing Kamala Harris, Joe Biden just torpedoed Trump's top election tactic

Americans already trusted Joe Biden over Donald Trump to effectively handle law enforcement and criminal justice issues. Voters will have an even harder time buying into Trump's "law and order" ploy now that a trailblazing prosecutor is joining the ticket.

Chris Riotta writes:

[12 August 2020 00:10 · Alex Woodward]

When can we expect Harris vs Pence?

... is what you're all dying to know. There are currently three presidential debates scheduled ahead of the November general election, and one vice presidential election.

Kamala Harris and Mike Pence are set to debate on 7 October at the University of Utah.

It's the first debate after the opening debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on 29 September. They also will face off on 15 October and 22 October.

[12 August 2020 00:51 · Alex Woodward]

Kamala Harris's political rise fulled by wealthy donors, including Trump

As George Conway reminds us, Donald Trump donated to Kamala Harris's campaigns in 2011 and 2013, among many wealthy donors that supported the then-California attorney general.

Well-connected law firms and interest groups and the donor class supported her rise from San Francisco district attorney to senator. She also faced scrutiny among progressives – pledging to avoid big-money donors and special interests in their fundraising – on the presidential campaign trail in 2019 before she dropped out of the race in December.

[12 August 2020 15:53 · Oliver O'Connell]

Guest corrects Tucker Carlson's pronunciation of 'Kamala'

“So what?” Mr Carlson said when it was pointed out to him that he pronounced Ms Harris’s name incorrectly.

Mr Goodstein then hit back: “I think out of respect for someone who is going to be on the national ticket, pronouncing her name right... is kind of a bare minimum.”

[12 August 2020 16:12 · Oliver O'Connell]