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Election 2024 updates: 'Let's go': Harris says she's ready to debate Trump

Trump had accepted another presidential debate scheduled for Sept. 10.

Last Updated: July 21, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing ahead with campaigning for president days after President Joe Biden's decision to leave the 2024 race -- a decision he explained during an Oval Office address to the nation on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Harris spoke to the American Federation of Teachers convention in Houston, Texas. She heads back to Washington, D.C., where she will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- a day after he spoke at a joint meeting of Congress.

Harris has secured commitments from enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee if they all honor their commitment when voting, according to ABC News reporting.

Jul 21, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT

Vance says he and Trump 'are ready to save America,' tells Dems to 'bring it on'

Former President Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance reacted to President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race, calling him "the worst president in my lifetime" and saying they are ready to take on Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity--saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job," Vance said in a statement on X.

Former President Donald Trump and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance arrive at a campaign rally, July 20, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

"President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on," Vance said.

Jul 21, 2024, 4:45 PM EDT

Kamala Harris begins fundraising for 2024 presidential campaign

After announcing her 2024 presidential campaign, Kamala Harris has put out a public call for fundraising.

"I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party -- and unite our nation -- to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. If you’re with me, add a donation right now," Harris wrote on X Sunday.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join hands in the air after watching the fireworks on the National Mall from the White House balcony, July 4, 2024, in Washington.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images

The statement includes a photo with President Joe Biden, who endorsed Harris immediately following his exit from the race.

Jul 21, 2024, 5:34 PM EDT

Christie says it is unlikely Democrats would challenge Harris

ABC News political contributor Chris Christie says “there are too many practical problems” to mounting a national campaign against Donald Trump.
ABC News political contributor Chris Christie says “there are too many practical problems” to mounting a national campaign against Donald Trump.

There are practical concerns that could dissuade other Democrats from challenging Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign for president, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, an ABC News contributor, told ABC News Live on Sunday.

"There are such practical concerns for the people who might be thinking about challenging the vice president. None of them have national campaigns organized, none of them have one state director in any one of the 50 states, none of them have a national fundraising operation," Christie said.

"I think she'll be able to inherit the money that is in the Biden-Harris campaign right now," Christie said.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi applaud as President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address in Washington, Mar. 1, 2022.
Saul Loeb/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Christie added that anyone considering running will wonder if they will be able to beat a candidate who is a sitting vice president who has been endorsed by the sitting president.

"Most of the people who would be serious candidates, I think, quite frankly, they are going to look at this and say 'I hope she picks me for No. 2' and move on from there," Christie said.

"I don't think there is going to be any challenge to Kamala Harris," Christie said.

Jul 21, 2024, 4:36 PM EDT

Major Democratic donors endorse Vice President Kamala Harris

On the heels of President Biden's departure from the 2024 presidential race Sunday, two major Democratic donors -- Reid Hoffman and Alexander Soros -- publicly endorsed Kamala Harris as the next candidate.

"The Democrats are the party of policy, progress, and action. When presented with the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, I believe in the American people to make the right decision for our country," Hoffman wrote in a statement on X.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event in Greensboro, N.C., July 11, 2024.
Chuck Burton/AP

Hoffman cofounded professional networking site LinkedIn in 2003 and is a partner at venture capital firm Greylock Partners.

"The Biden-Harris administration has put this country on the right track. It’s time for us to unite. I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for President of the United States in our fight for democracy in November," he continued.

Soros, one of five sons of billionaire George Soros, took to X to share a photo of himself with Harris, writing: "It’s time for us all to unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump. She is the best and most qualified candidate we have. Long live the American Dream! #Harris2024"

-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Will McDuffie, Gabriella Abdul-Hakeem, Fritz Farrow