Harris gets back on track as Biden recovers from COVID

PROVINCETOWN, Mass./REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — Vice President Harris was back on the campaign trail this weekend raising money for the Biden-Harris ticket on Cape Cod, while President Biden remained sidelined due to a case of COVID at his Delaware beach house.

Inside a large tent near the harbor, hundreds of Democratic backers cheered and waved to fans with the words “Veeptown” — a play on P-Town, the name of the seaside resort known for its LGBTQ history and community.

Harris took aim at former President Donald Trump’s policies, which eliminated anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in health care, employment and student opportunities, and his ban on transgender people in the military.

She said Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, “will undoubtedly be a force for Trump’s extremist anti-LGBTQ agenda,” referring to legislation he proposed to ban gender-affirming care, prompting a shout of “Go get ’em, Kamala!” from one donor.

Vice President Harris visits supermodel Tyra Banks' new ice cream parlor with her grandnieces on July 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. — Vice President Harris visits supermodel Tyra Banks’ new ice cream parlor with her grandnieces on July 19, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Harris in spotlight while Biden is sidelined

The fundraiser comes as the future of Biden’s campaign is in doubt. A disastrous debate against Trump three weeks ago prompted a growing chorus of calls from Democratic party officials and donors for Biden, 81, to end his bid for a second term and let a younger candidate take over. Biden has insisted he will stay in the race.

Harris has not publicly weighed in on the debate and did not mention it in her remarks in Provincetown. She praised Biden, saying she was “testifying” that he is fighting for “everyday working Americans.”

But some lawmakers who have called on Biden to step aside have testified that Harris should be at the top of the list.

On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., called her a “tough prosecutor” with the experience to defeat Trump. “Joe, I love and respect you. But the stakes are too high to fail. It’s time to pass the torch to Kamala,” Takano said in a statement.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. — who has not called on Biden to drop out of the race — said Harris would unite the party if Biden changes his mind, and praised her for her work on economic issues and abortion rights. “Look — when you’re running against a convicted felon, a prosecutor like Kamala is a really good person to make that case,” Warren said on MSBNC.

President Biden departs Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware after being forced to leave the campaign trail after testing positive for COVID.

Biden has said he will be back on track this week

Biden had pushed back against concerns about his age and ability, holding a flurry of events in swing states, as well as a solo press conference and several interviews. But that came to a halt when he tested positive for COVID last week.

His doctor said in a memo Saturday that Biden’s symptoms are improving, though he still has a cough. Since the Republican National Convention ended, the pace of Democrats calling for Biden to leave has increased.

Campaign spokesman Michael Tyler told reporters Saturday that the president will return to the road next week once he gets the green light from his doctor.