Now she has that chance.
On Sunday, when the president made the extraordinary decision to end his re-election campaign, he made an equally momentous choice: to offer his "full support and endorsement" of Harris to be the Democratic nominee and take on Donald Trump in November.
"It's time to come together and beat Trump," the 81-year-old president said. "Let's do this." The announcement, just weeks before the Democrats formally choose their nominee at the convention in Chicago, has plunged an already tumultuous contest deeper into uncharted waters - while thrusting his would-be successor into the spotlight.
"I am honoured to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said. "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic party - and unite our nation - to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." With just over 100 days until the election, the task before her is monumental. An assassination attempt on Trump has united Republicans behind him, and appears to have strengthened his hand as Democrats dissolved into a debate over Biden's fitness to serve.
The question of who would replace Biden has consumed party strategists and members, leading to an intense public debate over whether Harris would be the strongest candidate to defeat Trump in November.
The US-born daughter of immigrants, Harris spent much of her career as a prosecutor, before becoming California's attorney general. In 2016, she was elected to the US Senate, becoming the first south Asian American and only second Black woman to serve in the chamber, where she distinguished herself by asking tough questions of Trump-era political nominees.
Many of Harris's supporters say she is the heir apparent to Biden.
Esta historia es de la edición July 23, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 23, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
George says Jones regime successful but 'challenging'
The England captain, Jamie George, has admitted that Eddie Jones's regime could be \"challenging\" and empathises with Danny Care after his explosive claims about the Australian's setup, insisting that a toxic environment is not a necessary price to pay for success.
'He respects I'm in charge': Carsley has not spoken with Tuchel about England squad
Lee Carsley has revealed he is yet to speak to Thomas Tuchel about the England squad he will hand over to him in the new year.
Osimhen makes Spurs pay as Lankshear scores and sees red
When everyone had gathered breath, the only surprise was that Tottenham had run Galatasaray so close.
Diallo steps into Rashford's shoes to end United's wait for victory
Hold on to your hat: Manchester United are victorious in Europe after three consecutive Europa League draws and three more without winning in last term's Champions League.
Arsenal will take time to replace Edu
Arsenal plan to take their time over appointing Edu's successor as sporting director, with his deputy, Jason Ayto, set to step until the recruitment process has been completed.
'I had the same feeling as Harry: do Spurs really want to win?'
In exclusive extracts from his autobiography, the goalkeeper tells of the dismay he and others felt at how well the club took losing the 2019 Champions League final
Félix leads Chelsea's finishing masterclass
When the idea for the Europa Conference League first came to UEFA, it is unlikely that anybody in Nyon envisaged that one day a club of Chelsea's means would be pumping six unanswered first-half goals past an Armenian outfit who were only founded seven years ago.
Coventry end Robins' long reign
Coventry have made the surprise decision to sack Mark Robins, with the Championship club's board unhappy over \"the performance of the team over an extended period\", despite describing the 54-year-old as one of the Sky Blues' \"greatest ever managers\".
Trescothick wants 50-over change after latest defeat
Marcus Trescothick has said the current domestic structure is \"not helping\" England's new generation of white-ball cricketers.
Drivers warn FIA: start treating us like adults
Formula One drivers have demanded the FIA stops treating them like children in a damning indictment of the governing body's policies and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
