Kamala Harris conceded her defeat in the election to Donald Trump in a speech with a decisive tone and invited the crowd of her supporters who faces were full of despondency and sadness, to “continue to fight”, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
„We will help Donald Trump and his team in the transition and we will commit to a peaceful transfer of power”, assured the outgoing vice president in the building of the university from which she graduated – the iconic black university “Howard“ in Washington.
„We have to accept the results of this election,” said the failed Democratic candidate, who was defeated by the Republican Party challenger after an extremely tight race.
Her voice was shaking at the end of her speech, and she was joined on stage by her emotional husband Doug Emhoff, who has been active in the campaign. Behind Harris, in front of high brick walls and imposing colonnades, fluttered huge American flags, inflatable blue, white and red balloons – the decorations for the celebrations that did not take place, noted AFP.
On Tuesday, her supporters who gathered at Howard University to celebrate her victory were stunned by the rapid succession of results in favor of Donald Trump in the decisive states. Yesterday, many of them put on the campaign t-shirts again.
„I admit my flaws, but I will not give up the fight”, said Kamala Harris regarding the right of women to “make decisions about their own bodies”.
Thomas Spencer, a student at “Howard“ said Harris remains “strong in defeat” and that it leads “fantastic“ campaign.
„The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, it is not what we fought for, it is not what we voted for,” Harris said, stressing that “the light of American hope will always shine, as long as we don't give up and keep fighting”. “I know many people think we are entering a dark period, but for the sake of all of us, I hope that is not the case,” said Kamala Harris.
„A lot of people are feeling uncertain and I'm just going to hope for the best,” said Shannon Bacon, who was among the supporters who came to support Harris.
„Everyone who is here – don't despair. This is not the time to give up. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves. Now is the time to organize, to mobilize and to remain committed to the fight for freedom and justice, said the former California prosecutor, the second woman defeated in the race for the White House by Donald Trump after Hillary Clinton in 2016.
American President Joe Biden praised Harris after the loss, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
„She will remain a leader our children will look to with hope for generations to come as she leaves her mark on America's future,” Biden said in a statement.
Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee in July, was “an incredible partner and public servant of integrity, courage and character,”, Biden said. “Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped forward and led a historic campaign, the epitome of what is possible when led by strong morals and a clear vision of a country that is freer, fairer and full of more opportunities for all Americans”, he added.
Biden also said that choosing Harris as vice president was the best decision he ever made.
„Her story represents the best of American history. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she will continue to write that story,” Biden said.
Harris conceded his election loss in a speech in Washington after US media predicted that Trump was a clear winner in the swing states of North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.