Kamala Harris takes stage; Liz Cheney says VP stands ‘in the breach at a critical moment’ for US – live | US elections 2024
Harris ‘standing in the breach at a critical moment in our history, says Cheney
“Vice-President Harris is standing in the breach at a critical moment in our history,” Cheney says.
Key events
Harris and Cheney are standing on the stage behind enormous panels of protective glass to either side of them.
Interestingly, Harris’s speech so far is focused on the threat posed by the Republican candidate, Trump, to democracy in the US, rather than her (Democratic) policies.
Harris says unlike Trump she has never wavered from upholding oath to defend constitution
She has never wavered from upholding her oath, she says, unlike Trump.
“Donald Trump lost the 2020 election,” Harris says. “And as you have heard and know, he refused to accept the will of the people and the results of an election that was free and fair.”
“Who will obey that oath, who will abide by the oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America,” Harris says.
The crowd chants their answer: “Kamala”.
Harris says she has sworn an oath six times in her career.
“We both believe in the nobility of public service,” Harris says.
Harris says she has in common that she was also a kid in Wisconsin once.
“Every time I’ve come here recently one of the conversations we have is that we love our country,” she says.
She says it is important to remember what is at stake – and that the fears of what could happen are “born out of love”.
She thanks Cheney for her “courage”.
“It is so good to be back in Wisconsin,” Harris says.
Harris and Cheney shake hands as VP takes stage
As Harris steps out, she and Cheney shake and clasp hands.
“Can we hear it for Liz Cheney,” Harris says, with a lot of energy.
The chants of “Thank you, Liz” start up again.
“I know President Harris will be able to unite this nation,” Cheney says.
She will be able to inspire all Americans, and especially, “if I may say, our little girls”.
“So help us right the ship of democracy,” she says, so that we can say that we did our duty and prevailed.
Cheney quotes Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer: “The lesson of our history is that the task of merely maintaining strong and sturdy the structures of a constitutional order is unending, the continuing and ceaseless work of every generation.”
We must choose what Abraham Lincoln called leaders with a “sincere heart”, she says.
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