Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz warned Republicans not to underestimate Vice President Kamala Harris as she emerges as the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“I worry that Republicans underestimate Kamala Harris. They don’t think very highly of her. They don’t think she’s that smart. When you or I mention Kamala Harris’ name among Republicans, people laugh. It becomes an instant punchline,” Cruz said on Monday’s podcast.Ted Cruz’s Verdict”
Cruz warned Republicans against prematurely celebrating the victory of Trump and Vance with just months to go until the election, and argued that Democrats and the media would promote Harris as a “historic” candidate.
“I think people underestimate the billions of dollars across the corrupt corporate media complex that are selling her as a combination of Mother Teresa, Oprah and Ghandi,” Cruz said.
The White House and family have given conflicting accounts of whether Biden’s health issues influenced his decision to drop out of the race.
Senator Ted Cruz held a press conference on Capitol Hill on October 6, 2021. (Reuters/Evelyn Hochstein/File Photo)
“I still believe Trump will win in November, but it will be by no means a cakewalk. It’s not a sure thing. What’s scary for Democrats is chaos, and the idea of so much chaos in 100 days is frightening. But what’s even more frightening is going into an election that you’re almost certain to lose, as Biden was,” he continued.
President Biden announced on X TV on Sunday afternoon that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. Shortly thereafter, he endorsed his vice president to run in his place.
President Trump calls for next presidential debate to be held on Fox News
“My first decision as the nominee of my party in 2020 was to select Kamala Harris as my vice president, and it was the best decision I ever made. Today I fully endorse and support Kamala as our party’s nominee this year. Democrats, it’s time to unite and defeat Trump. Let’s do it together,” Biden said in a social media post endorsing Harris.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke publicly Monday for the first time since Biden’s announcement, praising his decades of governing. (Reuters/Hannah Beyer)
Speaking publicly Monday for the first time since Biden’s announcement, the vice president praised Biden’s work during his decades in office.
With Biden’s campaign halted, what’s next for Democrats?
“I have witnessed firsthand that President Joe Biden fights for the American people every day, and we are incredibly grateful for his service to our nation,” she said Monday on the White House South Lawn during an event honoring NCAA athletes.
“Let’s celebrate after Election Day. Let’s celebrate after we win. Now is not the time to celebrate. Now is the time to work hard.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and Texas Senator Ted Cruz (Getty Images)
Harris is not yet the party’s official nominee. The Democratic National Committee must first certify her, or another candidate, next month.
President Biden spoke about the assassination attempt on former President Trump at the White House on July 14, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Former President Trump nominated Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate last week, officially becoming the Republican nominee. Cruz said the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the “best” thing he’s done in politics so far. But he said he was concerned that some in the GOP were becoming “overconfident” that Trump would win the election.
Read: Biden withdraws from 2024 race via letter
Former President Trump arrives at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024. (Reuters/Cheney Orr)
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“I was very worried at the convention,” Cruz said. “… I worry that people were overconfident at the convention. There was a celebratory mood. There was an atmosphere of, ‘We won. We’re on our way to victory. This is a landslide victory. Trump is back. We’re the Republican supermajority.'”
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“My view, and what I was trying to say, is, ‘Look, there are times to celebrate. You celebrate after Election Day is over. You celebrate after you win. Now is not the time to celebrate. Now is the time to work hard.'”
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