US President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris campaigned together for the first time Monday, in a public display of teamwork after she replaced him as a candidate and revived Democratic election hopes.
Seeking to attract voters in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, the pair met union members in Pittsburg before standing side-by-side to speak to about 600 supporters
Biden repeatedly name-checked Vice President Harris, who is in a close race to beat Donald Trump to the White House on November 5.
“We have made a lot of progress, and Kamala and I are going to build on that progress, and she’s going to build on it,” Biden said.
“I’ll be on the sidelines, but I’ll do everything I can to help.”
The Labor Day event at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union underlined how Biden will play a role in the campaign in the final months before the vote.
Biden, 81, initially resisted bowing out of the presidential race after his disastrous debate performance against Trump, but he has since swung behind Harris, 59.
“There’s only one person you have a rational choice with this time — that’s Kamala Harris,” he said to cheers.
“I know her. I trust her,” he added. “She has a backbone like a ramrod, and the compass of a saint.
“This woman knows what she’s doing. I promise you, if you elect Kamala Harris as president, it will be the best decision you will have ever made.”
Riding a wave of enthusiasm, Harris has held packed rallies across the country and raked in cash donations over recent weeks.
Polls show her entry improving the Democrats’ chances at defeating Republican Trump, but with the outcome highly uncertain.
In Pittsburg, Biden and Harris embraced and held hands before she paid him fulsome praise.
“Joe Biden has been one of the most transformative presidents in the United States that we have ever witnessed, and it comes from his heart,” she said.
“Joe and I talk a lot about the fact that we are so proud to be the most pro-union administration in America’s history.”
“We’re not going back!” the crowd chanted, using one of her campaign slogans.
