“Good afternoon, thank you, I love you too. My heart is full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of determination,” With these words Kamala Harris breaks the silence, speaking at Howard University, his alma mater, after a long wait of 24 hours, to make his official defeat against Donald Trump. Instead the President Joe Biden to comment today, Thursday 7 November, the results of the elections and will outline the next steps of the transition, with a intervention to the expected nation by 11am local time (17pm in Italy) from the White House.
Harris on Trump's victory: 'Peaceful transfer of power'
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, it’s not what we fought for, it’s not what we voted for. But listen to me when I say this: The light of America’s promise will always shine,” Harris said, in a statement that sought to find hope even in a difficult moment. After thanking her supporters, she spoke of her phone call with trump, with whom she congratulated for the historic victory and in which she guaranteed a “peaceful transition” of the power, stressing that this act is a sign of democracy. Biden also congratulated the tycoon by inviting him to the White House. “President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place soon, and greatly appreciated the call,” commented the Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung.
“When we lose an election, we accept the result, that is what distinguishes a democracy from a tyranny,” the vice president said in a not-so-veiled jab at President-elect Trump. While I concede victory to Trump I do not concede defeat to the fight which has been the basis of this campaign for the dignity and justice of all people. I will never give up on this fight,” she said, trying to keep the message that her fight for rights does not stop.
In her speech, Harris also thanked her team, outgoing President Biden, and everyone who supported her campaign. “I am so proud of the fight that we have had and the way that we have fought over the 107 days of this campaign,” she continued. “We owe allegiance not to a president, but to the Constitution of the United States of America. And allegiance to our consciences, to our God.”
Harris: “It’s time to roll up our sleeves”
The tone of the speech was pragmatic, but with a message of hope, above all towards the young. “Sometimes the fight takes longer, but that doesn’t mean we won’t win. The most important thing is to never give up. You have the power and never listen when someone tells you that it’s impossible because it’s never been done before,” he said. He then emphasized that “this is not the time to throw our arms in the air, but to roll up our sleeves.”
In closing, Harris quoted an adage that reflected her thoughts at the time: “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” She added: “I know many people think we are entering a dark age, and I hope we are not. But if we are, if there is darkness, America will show us the light of a thousand stars, the light of optimism, of faith, of loyalty and service. May that work guide us, even in the face of defeat, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.” A sober conclusion, but one that sought to keep alive hope for the future of the country.
A further sequence of thanks, and then, as always, the inevitable liturgical formula: “May God bless you, and may He bless the United States of America.”
