Kamala Harris Certifies Election

In keeping with her duty as Vice President, Kamala Harris today presided over the certification of the electoral votes for President, thus ensuring the peaceful transition of power that has been a hallmark of our republic since 1789 -- with just one exception, four years ago today.

Why that exception did not result in a swift and decisive prosecution for the guilty parties is more than your Head Trucker can understand.

 

Future historians will marvel at how quietly we handed our democracy over to destruction, in faithful obedience to the Constitution and the laws. God help us all. 

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Kamala and Tim: Thanks and Hope

The light of America's promise will burn bright

as long as we never give up and we keep fighting.

--Vice President Kamala Harris

Some encouraging words from Team Blue, down but not out:

What I Say:  We all owe a great debt of gratitude to our two standard-bearers, who suddenly took on a massive, gruelling campaign they never expected to run, and did it with grace, good cheer, and unstinting effort all the way down to the finish line.  Just to think of the sheer physical effort it took staggers me - a stroll through the grocery store wears me out at this late age - to say nothing of the mental and emotional strain they and their families went through in that whirlwind campaign.

It was a damn hard job, and an uphill battle; but they took up the challenge gladly and fought to win against all odds.  That they lost is no reflection whatsoever on their courage and character.  As the old hymn goes, which inspired the likes of Harry Truman:

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone,

Dare to hold a purpose firm,

Dare to make it known.

And I will say this:  the idea that Kamala lost because she was a woman, or a black woman, or any other personal characterstic is utterly false:  weenie-whiney bullshit.  She very nearly did win:  the difference in the popular vote was less than 2 percent.  In my view, she lost because she wasn't selling what a slim majority of voters wanted.  They chose rotgut whiskey instead of bottled water.  It's just real simple.

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They will have a hell of a hangover, too, when they come to their senses.  It's a damn shame that the rest of us will have to suffer along with them.

It is most interesting to study the eye-opening results of the popular vote, as well as the exit polls, broken down by sex, race, religion, education, income, and much more.  I encourage all my truckbuddies in this country and abroad to do so before you say another word about the election.  Knowledge is power.

Keep the faith, brothers.

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Are the Polls Right?

Use the ABC-538 interactive election map here.
Click to enlarge this screen shot.

The Guardian raises a question that's been in the back of your Head Trucker's mind:  how can it be possible that the American public is so evenly divided between supporters Harris and Trump, and the numbers haven't changed for the last 3 months?

The Guardian writes:  

Large numbers of surveys would be expected to show a wider variety of opinion, even in a close election, due to the randomness inherent in polling. The absence of such variation suggests that either pollsters are adjusting “weird” margins of 5% or more, Clinton and Lapinski argued – or the following second possibility, which they deemed more likely.

“Some of the tools pollsters are using in 2024 to address the polling problems of 2020, such as weighting by partisanship, past vote or other factors, may be flattening out the differences and reducing the variation in reported poll results,” they write.

Either explanation “raises the possibility that the results of the election could be unexpectedly different than the razor-close narrative the cluster of state polls and the polling averages suggest”, they added.

We can't know whether the polls are accurate until all the results are in.  Meanwhile, here are the latest forcasts from ABC/538:

Look how steady their popular vote numbers are - I never recall seeing any poll in any election that looked like this for months at a time.

And here's their probability forecast - more variation but still awfully damn close.

Here's the poll tracking chart from the Guardian itself:

And here's the chart from Wikipedia, which looks very different from the others:

The only vote I'm sure of is the one I cast on Tuesday.  The rest is up to you, my fellow Americans.

P. S. - Of course you know, a president can't get much done without majorities of the same party in the House and Senate.  Look at how often Congress stonewalled Obama when he was in the White House.  But I can't spare the energy to worry about all that just now.

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Kamala's Closing Argument Speech on the Ellipse

The Vice President delivered this speech in Washington, D. C., last night against the backdrop of the floodlit White House, essentially repeating what she has said in every speech of this 100-day campaign.  But her remarks last night were very well-written and well-spoken, and this could be considered the definitive version of her appeal to the nation.  Rachel Maddow afterward called it a "damn good speech," and so it was, in the best constitutional tradition of our republic.

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Fellas, we might wish she had said more about this or that; but the plain truth is she's all we've got, and it's Kamala or the devil. So I'm backing her 100% and I hope you are too. She's a fine person, a good woman, and a true patriot, and thank God for all that. Don't sweat the details; it will all get sorted out as we go along.  The alternative is unthinkable.

 

And today the Morning Joe panel discussed Harris's speech, in contrast to Trump's recent pronouncements:

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Don't Be a Sucker (1946)

America in 2024 is very different from Germany in 1933; and what we call fascist today is not quite the same as what fascist meant back then.  Still, the broad parallels and present dangers are unmistakable, and this film is highly pertinent to the choice we face in this election. 

He who has an ear, let him hear.

In case anyone doesn't get the point, here are some of today's headlines from Joe.My.God.com:

But then there's this, from Politico:

Harris is pounding Trump on fascism.

Some Dems think that’s a mistake.

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Thirty Million Votes Are In

Today's election forecast (not based on early voting) from ABC/538
shows a probability of 53-47 in Trump's favor.
Click to enlarge.

Today's election news is up and down and criss-cross, like the lines on the chart above.

1.  Thirty million Americans have cast early votes in the presidential election.  But it seems more have voted red than blue at this time.  Republican pollster and political consultant Frank Luntz explains why Kamala isn't reaching the "persuadable voters," and what she should do about that:

 

[What I Say:  Though I'm wary of Luntz's recommendations, given his longtime support for Pat Buchanan, Newt Gingrich, and George W. Bush, your Head Trucker has noticed since the first debate that Kamala has no particular agenda to sell.  It's pleasing to the base to hear her call Trump a fascist over and over, but does that win any voters who aren't already Kamala supporters?  

And her speeches around the country, what snips and bits I've heard of them, are mainly a rehash of the same rich-aunt talking points from the first debate:  she wants to help out with the grocery bills, give diaper money to new parents, and hand a big wad of cash to first-time homebuyers (which nobody ever offered me).  Along with nifty catchphrases like "Turn the Page" and "Not Going Back," that's about all I've heard of what she actually plans to DO if elected. She's been way over-cautious about telling us plainly and simply what that is, in my view.

I understand why she can't be the "change" candidate without disparaging Biden.  But that's not cutting it.  Voters need something to vote FOR, not just against.  Think Hillary, or better yet, think Margaret Thatcher.  Extraordinary women, clear -- sharp -- determined.  

But what do I know. Kamala has to be herself, not a copy of someone else.  I don't doubt that she is doing her best right now, and she's fighting for our democracy, so God bless her.]

2.  UK newspaper The Guardian, traditional supporter of the Labour Party, sent a reporter to J.D. Vance's hometown in Ohio to find out why Kamala has low support from male voters there:

 

3.  Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican who broke with Trump after being fired from the White House, explains what Kamala needs to do now to "close the deal" and win the election:

 

4.  Contrary to all the above, political analysts on the Democratic side see hopeful signs in this week's early voting pattern, despite a flood of Republican-biased polls favoring Trump:

 

Well, steady on, boys.  We have to stay the course till the end, if what we believe in is worth fighting for.  No doubt there will be weeks of uncertainty and bickering and lies and maybe violence before we know the outcome of this election for sure.  But hang in there.  Don't give up the ship!  We may find safe harbor yet.

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Trump Takes Lead over Harris

Two things I want to say, briefly.  First, in the furor and excitement of the campaign, it's been easy to forget that until late July, Kamala was not a candidate and had no reason to think she ever would run for president again.  In 2020, she seemed like a great running mate for Joe Biden, nicely rounding out the ticket:  old and young(er), male and female, white and black, east and west, etc.  I expected Joe would put her to good use in his administration.

But then once they got into office, we heard less and less of Kamala way down here in the provinces, until finally she just seemed to vanish into the woodwork.  In fact, when I heard that Biden had dropped out of the race last July, and started wondering who could replace him as candidate, it was 20 or 30 minutes before I remembered Kamala at all:  she has been that invisible for most of his time in office.

All of which is just to say, in recent days it has come to my mind that she must be under a terrific strain, having to jump overnight from a quiet, nearly forgotten role into the heat of a full-fledged campaign. When you consider that, you realize just what a very fine, even astonishing job she is doing.  And I just pray the Lord will strengthen and sustain her in that mission, along with Walz and all others who are fighting the good fight now.  It's a desperate, historic fight, and uphill all the way.  The light of History will gleam upon their helmets, whether they prevail or fall.

The other thing I want to say is, how strange that for weeks we have been hearing about Kamala's slow but steady rise in the national polls; but this week, suddenly it's Trump who is pulling ahead, markedly.  And this after some of the most filthy, most outrageous, most reprehensible lies, threats, and calumnies he's ever made.  Why is that?  Yes, I get the fact that polls are imperfect, subject to all kinds of errors and adjustments, yada yada.  But why now, after weeks of being in the (small) lead, is Kamala dropping behind?  Very odd.

I guess it is just like a real horse race, where sometimes, for no apparent reason to the untrained eye, as they near the finish line one horse pulls ahead and another can't keep up.  Either that, or someone, somewhere is doing some manipulating of a kind I can't even imagine.  All I know is, the only thing that will stop Trump from taking over is a massive blue wave at the polls.  So let's do our best, fellas, and keep hope alive.  It's not over till it's over.

A few stats from the Wall Street Journal, which leans Republican:

P. S. -- Blogger tells me this is my 4600th post on the Blue Truck.  No kidding?  Hard to believe.  That's an average of about 285 posts a year since I started in 2008.  I know it's mostly boring stuff, and nothing to brag about, but it gives this old shitkicker something to do.

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History Is Calling!

 

The presidential horserace is rounding the curve into the final stretch now.  For the record, here are some video snapshots of what it's all about. There's no good reason for anyone of sound mind to be confused or unsure of what's at stake now: democracy with all its messes and successes, or a dictatorship of fools, frauds, and fanatics. 

The choice is yours, my fellow Americans.  But be careful, very careful, what you wish for.

[I sent the above video to M.P. overnight.  His reply was, "What a vile vulgar swine of a creature it is." and further unprintable remarks.]

 

Rachel says it's now or never to claim your place in history: 

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Election Convictions, Predictions, and Fictions

Screen shot from Voice of America report at a debate-watching party in a restaurant.  The video can be seen on Wikipedia here.

Well, despite my reservations expressed in yesterday's post, all the left-of-center journo types are still shouting hallelujah over Kamala's performance, and the repubs are crying and whining about "unfair moderators" - "it was three against one" - so I guess the debate was a win for Kamala.  It still bugs me, though, that she evaded several very direct questions about her change of mind on certain policies, and offered no coherent, large-scale plan for her presidency.  And though she expessed her commitment to democracy and the rule of law, there was no stand-up-and-cheer moment, no clarion call to arms, which  I suppose is what I was hoping for.

Election campaigns are always more show than substance.  Even some of our greatest presidents got into the White House not solely because they were wise and honest men, but because they were great showmen too.  

But for someone who had no idea of campaigning for the presidency two months ago, I think Kamala did her best - and did it damn well.  She's smart, articulate, experienced in national politics and foreign affairs, and, I believe, sincere in her allegiance to the Constituion and all that we expect a president to do and be.  And of course, she is the only candidate we've got - the only candidate worthy of the office.  So I support her 100 percent, and I hope all my truckbuddies will, too.  A victory for Trump and his legion of snarling trolls would mean the end of the American experiment, and I hope I don't live to see that.

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There's been so much commentary since the debate that I couldn't decide on a video to post today, so here's a potpourri you can choose from - some serious, some ridiculous, but each one has a noteworthy nugget or two of information or reaction.  A snapshot of America at this historic moment.  Enjoy.

 

You'll be amazed when you see what a sexy hunk this old guy was fifty years ago; and he's still going strong - mentally and physically:

 

And just for laughs, here's a very creative re-do of the debate - I won't say musical, because it hurts my old ears, but very creative nevertheless:

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First Harris-Trump Debate, 9/10/24: Who Won?

Screen shot from the ABC News telecast of the debate.

The first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took place last night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, hosted by ABC News and moderated by reporters David Muir and Linsey Davis.  The debate was televised live with no audience in the hall.  The Boston Globe gives some highlights of the nearly two-hour debate:

 

In case anyone who missed it wants to watch the whole debate, it's available from ABC News here.

What I Say: I was disapointed in Kamala's performance; I say that knowing she must have been under tremendous pressure to perform well, and no doubt prepared arduously for this debate. All the talking heads on the Left are jubilant this morning, saying she "cleaned Trump"s clock" and suchlike. She spoke well, and she got in a few zingers, true. But five minutes in, I was shouting at the TV screen:  Answer the question, for God's sake!

To me, the whole thing was rather like watching Eleanor Roosevelt debate Al Capone. She was nice, and he was nasty. She came across as very smart, very articulate, and very high-minded, which warmed every Democrat's heart.  She did not descend to Trump's level, which was right; but time and again I thought her answers were vague, evasive generalities that changed nobody's mind or vote.  (Where is Joan Crawford when you need her?)

What would have changed minds and votes? I don't know, exactly. I just feel that Trump's rhetoric was simple, direct, and forceful - things any old shitkicker could understand, and many would cheer. Harris's approach, on the other hand, was to my way of thinking a bit abstract, a bit muddled, a bit lofty, a bit Elizabeth Warren-ish. That don't sit well with the plain folks, and there are millions of 'em.

Yes, Kamala said a lot of things to Trump's face that all of us sensible people have wanted to say for years; but what did that accomplish? Criticism rolls off him like water off a duck's back. What did Kamala say that made anyone want to vote for her, as distinct from voting against Trump? 

Now, maybe I'm all wet, and she really did trounce him in the debate. But I was listening expectantly to hear something that would get the attention of the folks who live all over the very red state of Texas - and not just the rural areas, either. And I didn't hear it. 

Perhaps I am too critical;  I do dearly want Harris and Walz to win this election, and Trump to just blow away like the tumbleweeds far out in the West Texas nothingness.  Maybe Kamala did do just fine; but maybe my down-home intuition is right.  I guess we'll see what happens.

What did you think of the debate, my truckbuddies? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  

P. S. -- Whoa now.  That David Muir is a fine journalist.  Never heard of him before, but I sure did like what I saw:  smart, strong, suave, and not too bad looking, either.  

Actually, I thought both he and Linsey Davis did an excellent job as moderators, despite Trump's continual mike-hogging.  They both fact-checked him a number of times, in a calm and dignified way.  Excellent.

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DNC Day 4 Highlights

PBS provides highlights of the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago:

 

Former Representative Adam Kizinger, a Republican Air Force vet and a helluva patriot, spoke passionately about putting country over party:

 

And Kamala Harris made history with her rousing acceptance speech as the first black female candidate of a major party: 

Read a fact-check of Kamala's speech at Politifacts

And that's all, folks!  What a grand spectacle it was.  I've never seen anything like it.  Everyone at the convention was certainly electrified - let's hope they and we can keep the joyful momentum going for 75 more days until the election.

And your Head Trucker will remind you all of something not much talked about this week:  Presidents do not make laws.  Congress does.  So we have make sure we elect a Democratic majority in the Senate and the House - otherwise, the cult party will just stonewall Kamala as they did Obama and Biden.

VOTE BLUE, NO MATTER WHO!

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DNC Day 1 Highlights

See Politifacts for fact-checking of statements made by Biden and others
at last night's convention.

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago got off to a rockin' start with speeches by Democratic notables, including Hillary Clinton and First Lady Jill Biden, a tribute to civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, a surprise appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris, and a real give-em-hell speech by President Biden, which ended with a four-minute standing ovation from the audience.  PBS gives a quick look at the highlights of the evening:

CBS's Face the Nation gives a longer summary with more excerpts from many speakers:

Tonight's speakers will include former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, second gentleman Dough Emhoff, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

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Kamala Picks Walz for VP

A winning team - I do hope.

Of course Kamala picked Walz.  Just as I advised her to do a couple of weeks ago.  

Walz is a crowd-pleaser; now the campaign gets into high gear with a full ticket.  I like Walz; he's a regular guy, a good neighbor, a happy fella.  But is there anything more to him than the popular coach who fires up a pep rally?  We shall see.

NBC News:

CBS News:

Sky News (UK):

 

Former Speaker Pelosi on Morning Joe:

Update, 7:45 p.m.:  Walz's speech in full at the Philadelphia rally where he was introduced by Vice President Harris as her running mate today:

Tim Walz on guard for America, ca. 1982.
A man who knows how to handle his gun is OK by me.

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Newsbites, 7/28/24

Republicans fall in line; Democrats fall in love.

--Amerian truism, 21st century

What a week it's been since Biden bowed out of the presidential race!  For once it's the Democrats who have "fallen in line" behind Kamala, with no exceptions that I've heard of.  Which is a damn good thing, because there's only 101 days left till the election, and no time to waste.

(Another time we'll talk about the absurdity of election campaigns that go on for months and years.  Britain and France just had elections - it was 6 weeks of campaigning for the Brits and only 4 weeks for the French.  How wonderful it would be if ours were that short.)

A few newsbites from the weekend.  First, Pete B. rips Vance and the whole Republican scheme:

 

Kamala raises $200 million in the first week:

 

Washington Week in Review panel discussion:

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Newsbites 7/26/24

There are 103 days left until the election, November 5th.  Check your voter registration, and be sure it's up to date.

What a difference a week makes - from depression to elation!  I Hope the Dems keep the campaign train fired up and steaming right on to victory - not just for the good of the party, but also for the country and the world, and all us little people who live and love and work in it.

Here are a few news clips worth watching.  First, the Obamas endorse Kamala: 

 

Governor Walz on the "he-man woman haters" in the Republican party:

 

Secretary Pete on Trump's fear of debating Kamala:

 

Former Ambassador Susan Rice on Kamala's creds to be Commander-in-Chief:

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Tim Walz for Veep!

Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.)

In the last 24 hours, your Head Trucker has discovered Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and I think he would be a super Vice President for Kamala.  Of course, I know only what I've seen on YouTube and read on Wikipedia - which is true for all other candidates and politicians as well - but what I have seen and heard gives me great confidence that Walz is the man.  

And with Kamala, it would be a match made in political heaven - an irresistable Tracy & Hepburn team.

Poster for Woman of the Year, 1942.
Click to enlarge.

What makes me so confident is more than Walz's resume - small town guy, family man with 2 kids, 24-year Army National Guard vet (artillery), high school teacher and football coach, 12 years a Congressman, 5 years as governor of Minnesota - but beyond all that, he's highly articulate, witty, and humorous, with a positive outlook on America.  A happy, hopeful guy - unlike the angry, snarling opposing team - and he's only 6 months older than Kamala.  He also has executive experience (governor), which Kamala does not.

Mark Kelly for Veep?

Kamala made her first campaign speech at a rally held yesterday in Milwaukee, and it was powerful:

Now, your Head Trucker has been reviewing potential VP picks for Kamala, just in case she phones and asks my advice.  And I want to say that Senator Mark Kelly stands very high on my short list.  He's a butch white man, for one thing, and that is no small consideration.  (Drop the PC sputtering, girls - we are talking reality here.)  For another, his life and career are exemplary.  And he's the kind of self-confident guy who is very comfortable supporting women's rights (with a wife and two daughters, he'd better be).

Kelly has been a senator from Arizona since 2020, but come to find out, he was born and raised in New Jersey, son of a mom and dad who were both police officers, so he is a working-class guy.  He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, joined the Navy, and became a combat pilot who flew 39 missions over Iraq in the Gulf War.  Then he got picked by NASA to fly four space shuttle missions, commanding two of them.  A 25-year Navy veteran who earned lots of medals for service to his country, he's been a senator since 2020.

Kelly is also the husband of former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was left permanently disabled after an assassination attempt and mass shooting in Tucson in 2011.  After Gabby partially recovered from her injuries, the couple founded a gun-control advocacy group now known as Giffords.

Kelly was born in the same month as Kamala Harris, October 1964.  He supports all the issues you'd expect a Democrat to support, and he sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.  He's not exactly telegenic, but he's a decent speaker, and his record of public service is unimpeachable.  What's not to like?  

Pete, Bernie, Trae on Kamala

Official White House portrait of Kamala Harris,
Vice President of the United States
Click to enlarge.

Well, what a weekend that was, a total turnaround in the Democratic party, which raked in $80 million in campaign contributions from small donors in 24 hours.  Whooeee!  We are fired up for sure, now.  

This is the most electrifying political moment in my memory, which goes back to the time of JFK.  Your Head Trucker voted for him, I'm proud to say.  It's no lie - I went into the voting booth with my mom, and she let me pull the lever next to his name

This was state of the art in 1960, and they kept working just fine all over the country for decades.  The votes were recorded and tallied electrically.

.But between you and me, fellas, although I'm very enthused about smart, strong Kamala, I also know she has flaws alongside her virtues:  she's a human being, like all other politicians.  I may not agree with everything she says and does; but I do believe her heart and mind are firmly on the side of democracy and the rule of law, with liberty and justice for all.  

And she's electable!  She has my vote in the bag already, and I hope will get enough more to stop the fascist steamroller from taking over.  That's a mighty big, mighty tough job - she will be a target for outrageous abuse and maybe worse.  We should all keep her in our prayers.

Here's Secretary Pete:

 

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ;  I was never a Bernie fan, but I agree with every word he says here:

 

And here's that hillbilly sumbitch Trae Crowder, plagiarizing me. What he says about the veep choices in the last part of this video is exactly what I wrote in my Sunday post - a part I later deleted, thinking it sounded too smartass. 

Damn, boy! What you mean, poaching off my blog? Or are you some kinda fuckin' mind reader or somethin'? Hell, maybe we just think alike, in which case you are a goddamn smart fella. Next time you come through town, gimme a call, I'll buy you a beer.

BONUS:  Kamala outlines her experience and her vision in her first speech to campaign workers in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday:

And this just in:

AP Survey Shows Kamala Harris Backed by Enough Delegates to Become Democratic Nominee

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BIDEN BOWS OUT

President Biden has announced he is leaving the presidential race, and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic candidate. 

Click to enlarge.

NBC News reports:

Sky News (UK) reports:

CBS News:

What I Say:  Thank God.  Now we have a chance to win this election and save democracy.  A really good chance.

Thank you for your service, Joe - and for choosing your country over your own ambition.  This single act shows you are a true patriot.  History will be kind to you.

I can breathe again.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bill and Hillary Clinton have endorsed Harris:

Click to enlarge.

3 p.m.:  Harris takes up the challenge, reports the Guardian;

I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.

We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.

You go, girl!  Now put on your running shoes, get out there and fight like hell!  We got your back!

What will her campaign against Trump look like?  Check out these two videos from 2019. when Harris was running for the Democratic nomination:

 

Yesss!  Fired up!  Ready to go!  Whooeee!

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Sunday Drive: Vivaldi, Winter

Bonus:  On today's CBS Sunday Morning, host Jane Pauley interviews Vice President Elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff:

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