A stage in front of the facade of the university building where she once took classes, ten American flags in the background. It was the same location where she was originally scheduled to speak on Tuesday evening. But she decided against it, officially because the result was still too uncertain.
This time she came. With almost half an hour delay, with Freedom from the speakers, with the well-known broad smile on her lips and dressed in one of her well-known black blazers. (Read more below the photo)
“Kamala,” the crowd chanted. “I love you too,” she replied. “My heart is full of gratitude for the trust you had in me. The outcome of this election is not what we fought for. But listen carefully: the light of America’s promise will always shine brightly. As long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
She thanked her husband, she thanked President Biden and his wife, she thanked her vice presidential nominee and she thanked her team. “I am proud of the way we campaigned for 107 days. We brought people together. And we have so much more in common than what divides us.”
Sneer
“I know how you feel, believe me. But we must accept the results of these elections. Earlier today I called Donald Trump and congratulated him.”
These are classic words for a candidate in defeat. But this was immediately followed by a sneer at Donald Trump, who took a very different approach four years ago. “We won with historic numbers,” “there is enormous corruption and fraud” and “they are trying to steal the elections,” he said at the time. (Read more below the photo)
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“I told him that we will assist in the transition of power and that we guarantee that it will be peaceful,” Harris said. “Accepting our defeat is a fundamental principle of our democracy. That distinguishes us from monarchy or tyranny. We owe loyalty. Not to a president or a party, but to the constitution.”
Message of hope
What followed was a message of hope for her voters. “I admit defeat. But I will never give up the fight we are having. A fight for dignity and for the ideals of our nation. For women who have control over their own bodies. For streets that are free of gun violence.”
“I say to the young people who are sad: that’s okay. “If we fight, we win,” I’ve always said. The fight can last a long time. Never stop fighting to make this world a better place. This is not the time for despair, this is the time to roll up your sleeves. We can build a better country together.”
“Many people feel that we are entering a dark time. But I hope that’s not the case. And if it does, let us fill the sky with billions of stars. With the light of optimism, faith, truth and service.”
Phone calls
Earlier in the day, Trump’s team had described the phone call as “cordial.” “President Trump recognized the Vice President for her strength, professionalism and tenacity during the campaign. Both leaders agreed on the importance of unification in the country.” (Read more below the photo)
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Incumbent President Joe Biden also talked about unity when he spoke to the president-elect, the White House reports. “President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” the White House said. Biden will address the country on Thursday.
