Less than 24 hours after Joe Biden's resignation, Kamala Harris paid tribute to his "legacy," deeming it "unparalleled in modern American history," on Monday, July 22. The vice president, who immediately became a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination on November 5, spoke on the White House lawn at the long-planned reception for deserving athletes. She spoke in place of Biden, still quarantined at his Rehoboth Beach vacation home in Delaware due to a Covid-19 infection.

This purely ceremonial event symbolized the acceleration of history and the handing over of the baton. The congratulatory remarks addressed to the distinguished sports figures abounded in references to the need for tenacity and teamwork, which were equally valid for what now awaits the former senator from California.

The Democratic Party's anointment is already virtually assured, with a sufficient number of delegates having voted in her favor, even if the nomination procedures remain undefined for the time being. Fears of the nomination convention (in Chicago, Illinois, from August 19) turning into a free-for-all appear to have been allayed. The wave of endorsements that began with Biden's historic announcement on July 21 that he would end his re-election campaign grew even stronger on Monday, with the support of former speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi holds considerable influence within the Democratic Party. She was at the forefront in the preceding days in persuading the president to step aside, having failed to convince him of his ability to deploy the necessary energy against the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Trump not only exudes confidence but has been buoyed by his striking reaction after surviving an assassination attempt on July 13.

Shortly after the reception at the White House, Harris traveled to Wilmington, Delaware, Biden's stronghold, to meet with a campaign team now entirely devoted to her cause, even if its website still bears the name of the outgoing president. No major changes are expected, but the press is talking about David Plouffe, a well-known strategist who worked with Barack Obama.

The electroshock triggered by Biden's decision continued to have a spectacular effect on donors on Monday, with a historic shower of dollars ($81 million, or €74 million, collected in 24 hours). This comes at a time when the Republican camp has taken a clear lead in campaign fundraising after the current president's calamitous debate on June 27, which precipitated his withdrawal.

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