‘Don’t ever give up’: Harris concedes poll defeat but resolves to fight on

Conceding her defeat in the elections to president-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday (November 5) showed a combative mood by saying that she will not concede the fight that fuelled her presidential election campaign.

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” Harris told thousands of her supporters at Howard University in Washington DC.

Time to organise, mobilise, stay engaged: Harris

“This is a time to organise, to mobilise and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know, we can build together,” Harris said in her remarks as she told her supporters that earlier in the day, she called Trump to congratulate him on his electoral victory.

During the call, she said, she promised a peaceful transition of power. She noted that there is disappointment among her supporters. “I get it, but we must accept the results of this election. I also told him that we will help him and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power, a fundamental principle of American democracy,” she said.

Also read: Kamala Harris, the fighter | So close to making history, but not to be

She led a historic campaign under extraordinary circumstances: Biden

President Joe Biden applauded Harris for leading a historic campaign under extraordinary circumstances. “What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire. She’s been a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character,” Biden said in a statement.

“Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans,” he said.

Her story represents best of America’s story: Biden

“As I’ve said before, selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee for president in 2020. It was the best decision I made. Her story represents the best of America’s story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she’ll continue writing that story,” he said.

“She will continue the fight with purpose, determination, and joy. She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America’s future,” Biden said.

Extraordinary public servants: Obama 

Former President Barack Obama suggested that a host of economic conditions were responsible for Harris’s defeat. “This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for. But living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.”

Obama also expressed pride in the efforts of Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, who faced a decisive defeat in the election. He described them as “two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign.”

“As I said on the campaign trail, America has been through a lot over the last few years — from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do,” Obama said in a statement. “Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune.

Mood at Harris’s rally sombre

The mood at Harris’s rally was incredibly sombre. The crowd of what appeared to number several thousand was very quiet. Harris campaign aides stood to one side of the stage as she spoke and exchanged hugs, including Jen O’Malley Dillon, David Plouffe, and Brian Fallon.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser were seen conversing in the crowd. Several of Harris’s younger family members were wiping away tears as they left the rally.

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“Light of America’s promise will always burn bright”

In an emotional concession speech at her alma mater Howard University, 60-year-old Harris tried to lift the spirits of her supporters. “My heart is full today — full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” she said.

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she added.

“I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election,” she said, adding that a fundamental principle of democracy is to accept the election outcomes.

“We owe loyalty not to a president, but to Constitution”

The vice-president soon went into a combative mood cautioning that she and her supporters would continue to fight for the issue that they have been fighting for.

“In our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party, but to the Constitution of the United States, and loyalty to our conscience and to our God…that is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” Harris said.

Also read: The message from Donald Trump

“We will never give up the fight for our democracy”

The vice-president said she will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do.

“We will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld,” Harris said.

“Sometimes the fight takes a lot…don’t ever give up”

Harris said it is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but urged her supporters to “know it’s going to be okay”. “On the campaign, I would also say, when we fight, we win. But here’s the thing, sometimes the fight takes a lot. That doesn’t mean we won’t win,” she said.

“The important thing is, don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. Don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before. You have the capacity to do extraordinarily good in the world, and so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands,” she said.

“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case,” she added.

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Proud of Harris: Ro Khanna

Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna said he was proud of Vice President Kamala Harris and one day Americans will recognise her blazing a trail.

“Today, I want to say I am proud of Kamala Harris,” Khanna, 48, said. Representing Silicon Valley in the US House of Representatives, Khanna was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term on Tuesday.

One day Americans will recognise her blazing a trail: Khanna

He grew up in Pennsylvania. “As a young kid growing up in Bucks County, I would never have imagined an African and Indian American woman would become the nominee and get 48 per cent in Pennsylvania. Progress is hard. But one day Americans will recognise her blazing a trail,” Khanna said.

Khanna maintained that the Democrats, who have lost the White House along with the Senate and the House of Representatives, would bounce back soon.

“In 1928, the Republicans had 56 Senators. By 1932, under FDR’s (Franklin D Roosevelt) leadership, it was reduced to 36. Democrats can and will make a comeback with a bold economic vision that speaks to the needs of the working-class Americans,” he said.

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Trump acknowledges Harris for “strength, professionalism, tenacity”

During their telephone conversation, Trump and Harris agreed on the importance of unifying the country, his spokesperson said.

“President-elect Trump acknowledged Vice President Harris for her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country,” said Steven Cheung, Trump Campaign Communications Director.

In a stunning victory, Trump won both the popular vote and the electoral college votes. He bagged 292 electoral college votes as opposed to 224 for Harris. Trump won the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, while he was leading in the remaining two, Nevada and Arizona.

(With agency inputs)