Let me say this as clearly as I can:
I’m the sitting President of the United States.
I’m the nominee of the Democratic party.
I’m staying in the race.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 5, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Global Black Economic Forum during the 30th annual Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. She participated in a conversation with Essence Magazine President and CEO Caroline A. Wanga. Harris made only a single mention of President Joe Biden.
She focused instead on attacking former President Donald Trump.
President @JoeBiden and I work for you, the American people—and we’re ready to finish the job. pic.twitter.com/bcRpS9Q499
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 5, 2024
The United States Supreme Court essentially told this individual, who has been convicted of 34 felonies, that he will be immune from essentially the activity he has told us he is prepared to engage in if he gets back into the White House,” Harris said, referring to Trump. Mounting calls within the Democratic Party for President Biden to step down have amplified after his recent debate performance.
In her address at the festival, Harris emphasized the stakes of the 2024 election. She sidestepped criticisms toward Biden and concentrated her remarks on debt relief and condemning Trump. Panelists including Rep.
"What I do know is that there is no room for sexism in foxholes. If you want to have a do-over at electing Kamala, then you put aside your hand-wringing, nitpicking, delegate-mapping, crystal balling, is-she-presidential-ing, and you go all in for Kamala." https://t.co/SEOtdLoZ5k
— Monica Hesse (@MonicaHesse) July 5, 2024
Maxine Waters and former Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty defended Biden. Beatty criticized those calling for Biden’s resignation.
New 538 article where I run our election forecast for Kamala Harris instead of Biden.
Polls show Harris would have roughly an equal or perhaps an even better chance as Biden at beating Trump.https://t.co/vnnxvjmVaD
— G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris) July 4, 2024
She referenced Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who had public episodes of freezing but did not face calls to step down.
Harris discusses Trump at Essence
“One of the things we’re doing is sticking with [Biden]…
conversely when Mitch McConnell froze up nobody asked him to step down,” Beatty remarked. Harris posed the question of whether America is ready for a Black woman president. The Essence Festival, the largest Black culture festival in the U.S., provided a platform for these discussions.
While some attendees expressed mixed feelings about Biden’s debate performance, many showed readiness for Harris to step up if necessary. Elaine Brown from California commented, “I know as a president he makes several decisions, but he has a whole cabinet that makes other decisions as well. It’s a group thing, and it’s just not one individual.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Mark Gilbert, a significant fundraiser for the Biden-Harris campaign, noted that while Biden is capable of leading, Harris is undoubtedly prepared to take over if needed.
While most Black voters at the festival expressed confidence in Harris, some voiced concerns about America’s readiness to elect a Black woman as president, citing Hillary Clinton’s previous unsuccessful bid. In a hypothetical matchup between Harris and Trump, polls showed them nearly tied. This underscores the necessity for Harris to gain ground in critical battleground states like Michigan, which Biden narrowly won in 2020.
Chuck Berry and Shirley Ann, festival attendees from South Carolina, conveyed optimism about Harris’s potential. “I think if we [who] look like her, especially women, rally, we’ll get her there. It’s a matter of us holding her accountable once she gets there,” Berry said.
