Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the 2024 presidential election during a speech to dejected supporters on the campus of Howard University late Wednesday afternoon while vowing to keep fighting against a “dark time” for some Americans.
Harris, 60, addressed a subdued crowd at her alma mater’s main quad, known as “The Yard,” at about 4:25 p.m. — roughly 16 hours after campaign staff announced early Wednesday morning that she would not speak at an election watch party, prompting a mass exodus from the once-bustling event packed with thousands of students and young activists.
“I know many people feel like we’re entering a dark time,” Harris said. “But for the benefit of us all, I hope that’s not the case.”
Harris acknowledged former president turned President-elect Donald Trump, who regained the White House overnight Wednesday in a stunning political comeback, won the election to become the 47th U.S. president, spoiling her own quest to hold the nation’s highest office as the first female and woman of color.
“My heart is full today, full of gratitude,” she told several thousand supporters in a concession speech peppered with optimism. “Hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”
Harris, whose rise to the Democratic nomination followed President Biden’s withdrawal from the race in late July, did not publicly signal her political future on Wednesday as the outgoing vice president, but said Americans “must accept” results of the election. She promised to “never give up” her desire to protect citizens of all backgrounds.
“We will never give up the fight for our democracy, the rule of law, of the rule of justice and the sacred idea that everyone of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, have certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be upheld,” Harris said. “We will continue to wage this fight.”
Harris said she called President-elect Trump earlier Wednesday to concede the race and work with President Biden to ensure a smooth transition of power.
https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-concession-speech-howard-university-1981729
I’ll just say that is the way to do a concession speech. Accept the situation, don’t say the other side cheated, and encourage your supporters. Very gracefully done. Classy. Respect. Kelly