Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to South Carolina to file President Biden’s paperwork to seem on the Democratic main poll within the state that’s moved to the entrance of the occasion’s nominating season.
Ms. Harris offered the filings at South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia alongside Rep. James Clyburn, a senior Democrat who catapulted Mr. Biden towards victory in 2020 by endorsing his bid days earlier than the state’s main.
“Madam chair, I’d like to officially present the paperwork,” Ms. Harris advised occasion Chairwoman Christale Spain.
Ms. Harris listed points vital to South Carolina and will play a job in a possible rematch with former President Donald Trump, together with funding for rural broadband and traditionally Black faculties and universities and rising capital for small companies.
“It was South Carolina that created the path to the White House for Joe Biden and me,” the vice chairman mentioned, referring to Mr. Biden’s main victory in 2022. “It started here in South Carolina. So much of it can be attributed to the fight, to the commitment, to the perseverance of the people in this room and in the state.”
She added, “I’m here to say thank you. Let’s do it again.”
In some methods, South Carolina is the middle of the political universe for the 2024 presidential cycle. Two outstanding Republican candidates, former Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott, are from the Palmetto State.
Democrats pushed South Carolina to the entrance of the first schedule, arguing the Southern state was a greater consultant of the occasion’s range than New Hampshire, which historically holds the first-in-nation main.
The vice chairman’s resolution to go to South Carolina was a shock. It wasn’t on the preliminary day by day steering from the White House, which up to date her schedule early Friday to mirror the journey.
Ms. Harris is visiting the state after a busy week during which Mr. Biden touted his financial message in Illinois whereas lobbying Congress for cash to pair help for Israel’s struggle in opposition to Hamas with cash for Ukraine’s struggle in opposition to Russia, a problem that’s deadlocked Congress.
Democrats bought a elevate after key electoral victories Tuesday in locations like Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia.
“We are here with the wind at our back because did anyone notice what happened on Tuesday?” Ms. Harris mentioned. “When we fight, we win.”
At the identical time, the Biden-Harris ticket is dogged by overseas crises and considerations about inflation and the unlawful immigration surge on the U.S.-Mexico border. Some polls present the ticket trailing Mr. Trump in battleground states reminiscent of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Biden dismissed these polls, saying different surveys present him forward.
“Check it out. We’ll get you a copy of all those other polls,” he advised reporters on the White House.
Independent candidates reminiscent of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are additionally peeling off assist from the main events, posing a headache for Mr. Biden as he tries to lock down assist and hopes the GOP nominee loses extra voters to 3rd events.
Ms. Harris was unable to flee abroad turmoil throughout her go to to South Carolina. During a cease at a Vietnam memorial to honor Veterans Day, reporters requested her about protests across the nation over the civilian deaths in Gaza.
“People have a right to protest. We are a democracy, and we should value the voices and listen to the voices,” she mentioned. “It’s a very difficult time. What I hope is that we can engage in conversation and discourse that understands this is not binary and appreciates that we are talking about real human beings.”
