Vice President Kamala Harris He acknowledged his disappointment over the election loss in remarks on Tuesday, urging voters to “keep fighting”.
The speech is the vice president’s most wide-ranging comment since his concession speech in November when he lost to President-elect Donald Trump.
“In the last few weeks, since the election, I have received tens of thousands of letters from people across our nation, many of them young leaders, Americans, people of all ages, races, faiths and political parties,” Harris said in Prince George’s County, Maryland. “These letters have a common theme. Yes, there is despair, but there is also a determination for the future.”
Vice President Kamala Harris waits in the Old Senate Chamber before new senators are sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on December 9, 2024 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“As we approach the end of this year, many people have come to me saying that they feel tired… maybe even resigned… that they are not sure if they have the strength, let alone the desire, to continue fighting. . Let me be very clear: no one can leave. No one can leave,” he said. “The fight must continue for all of us, including the fight for a functioning economy, not just for those at the top, but for working people, for all Americans. To fight for everyone to have a fair chance to pursue their dreams. The fight for our ideals, including equality among us, rights the freedoms we have, the dignity each of us has and each of us has.
“So we have to keep fighting because, I think, the privilege of being an American is the responsibility,” he added.
Harris thanked the audience of “young leaders,” including high school and college students, recent graduates and apprentices who have been active in their local communities, in remarks at Prince George’s Community College. He was joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Gov. Aruna Miller and Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks, all Democrats.
“Everyone, please take some time off over the holidays and spend time with the people you love,” he concluded. “And then I ask you…I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path to the future, chin up, shoulders back and forever impatient for change…and be ready to get to work fighting for opportunity and freedom, fighting for justice and dignity, to work fighting for this country we love and the future we share”.
The speech continued stated the vice president on Sunday at the Democratic National Committee’s holiday reception with President Joe Biden and came amid questions about Harris’ political future after he leaves office on Jan. 20.
