Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden attended an event together for the first time since the president terminated his campaign for a second term and Harris replaced him as the Democratic contender.
The rally, located just outside Washington, DC, occurred as Donald Trump appeared at a news conference in New Jersey, his second campaign event in the last two days.
The Democratic celebration on Thursday commemorated the Biden administration’s recently announced agreement to reduce the cost of ten common prescription medications for millions of Americans.
It also provided an insight into the pair’s chemistry, as the party ticket was realigned weeks ago.
The White House estimated approximately 2,300 people attended Thursday’s event in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a Democratic stronghold.
“I have an incredible partner in the progress we made,” the president said. “She’s going to make one hell of a president.”
But, more than the policy announcement, Mr. Biden praised his vice president. He repeatedly brought the crowd to their feet. The warm feelings were mutual.
“There’s a lot of love in this room for our president,” Ms. Harris said. “Few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including expanding access to affordable healthcare, than Joe Biden.”
Thousands of people lined up in the July heat to hear Mr. Biden and Mrs. Harris speak. As the arena neared capacity, a social media video showed hundreds of people still waiting in line.
It’s the latest in a string of events sponsored by Ms. Harris that have drew enormous throngs of supporters, indicating a notable shift in energy in the presidential campaign.
Since becoming her party’s candidate, Ms. Harris has generally dodged media queries and has yet to appear in an interview.
Polling data also shows that her fans are enthusiastic. According to a recent Cook Political Report survey, Ms. Harris is erasing former President Donald Trump’s polling lead in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Vivian Strong waited three hours to enter Thursday’s event. She wanted to be a part of a historic occasion, she told reporters.
“I feel a sense of urgency to actually ensure she gets elected,” she said. “I would hate to have another administration of the other guy.”
Before the president and vice president took the stage, some fans led the audience in shouts from Howard University, the historically black university where Ms. Harris studied in Washington, DC.
Many supporters of the vice president dressed in pink and green, the colours of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), to which Ms. Harris belonged.
Linda Jones, a Howard alumni and AKA member, said she is excited about their common identity. But she was also excited to hear Mr. Biden speak.
“I’m happy for President Biden to get something accomplished that he’s worked so hard for,” Ms. Jones told reporters, referring to the prescription drug deal.
“He’s such a good man, and I felt very bad he was leaving with a cloud, so now I feel [this policy] is one more boost for him.”
