BIDEN PROMISED BLACK VOTERS on Tuesday that he was “all in” to seek reelection on Nov. 5 and assailed Trump’s presidential record. In his first political speech since the shooting at Trump’s rally, Biden was greeted by chants of “four more years” at the NAACP’s annual convention in Las Vegas. Biden criticized Trump for initially contending that former President Obama was not an American citizen and for his reference to “Black jobs” at the presidential debate in June. He also addressed the criticism that he is too old for the job (The Hill and Reuters).
“Hopefully today I’ve demonstrated a little bit of wisdom,” he said. “Here’s what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job. And I know the good Lord hasn’t brought us this far to leave us now. We have more work to do.”
Trump’s selection of his running mate sets the stage for a match-up between Vance and Vice President Harris. Both are staunch supporters and defenders of the top of the ticket, write The Hill’s Alex Gangitano and Julia Mueller, but they haven’t always been in the past. While they have similarities, including their vigor and command of policy, their clear differences will be in the spotlight ahead of November and play out on a debate stage later this summer. Harris and Vance spoke Tuesday, and she said she hopes “that the two can meet in the vice-presidential debate proposed by CBS News.”
Trump agreed to a debate on behalf of his then-unidentified running mate two months ago — but on Fox News, which Biden’s team has indicated it would reject.
Meanwhile, Vance is bolstering support for Republicans from conservatives in Silicon Valley who have increasingly consolidated around Trump. The 39-year-old former venture capitalist joins the GOP ticket as a growing number of leaders in Silicon Valley — once considered a liberal bastion — have rallied around Trump, particularly in the wake of the assassination attempt. Jacob Helberg, senior adviser to the CEO of Palantir Technologies, said in a post on the social platform X that the Ohio senator “will be a historic and uniquely capable Vice President.” Helberg, once a prominent Democratic donor, has reportedly donated $1 million to Trump’s campaign.
