Kamala Harris asks students to “keep fighting” after loss to Trump

United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday urged all those who feel disappointed by her defeat in last month’s elections to “stay up in the fight” as Donald Trump prepares to take officea message that suggests that he will not withdraw from the political scene in the short term.

He did not reveal what he plans to do after his term ends, but spoke about “our shared commitment to the work ahead.”

The speech was something of a pep talk as Trump returns to the White House and Republicans take full control of Congress, a devastating outcome for Democrats.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and tell me they feel tired, maybe even resigned,” Harris said. “People have told me that they are not sure they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay in the fight. But let me be very clear. Nobody can walk away. We must continue fighting. “Each one of us.”

At 60, Harris probably can still serve in one or two more roles, and could even run for president again. But he could face stiff competition from other Democratic politicians and fatigue from voters eager to turn the page after a disheartening campaign that ended with Trump’s victory.

“The true test of our character is how resilient and persistent we are in pursuing the future we all envision,” he said.

Harris did not mention Trump in her speech, but her remarks could serve as a first step in positioning herself as a leader of the political opposition. There is also speculation that she could run for governor in her home state of California, where the next election will be held in 2026.

Democrats are still trying to figure out the best strategy moving forward. Judging by her speech, Harris envisions a path very similar to the message of her candidacy and vice presidency, and on Tuesday she repeated many of the same themes.

While serving as Joe Biden’s vice president, Harris toured college campuses and focused on issues that resonate with students, such as gun violence and climate change. He also made sure to meet with young people in Africa and Asia while working on US diplomatic efforts.

During the presidential campaign, Harris frequently spoke of her love for Generation Z and the importance of new leadership. It was one of the ways he tried to distance himself from Trump, who is 78 years old.

However, Harris fared worse with young people this year than President Joe Biden did four years ago. According to AP VoteCast, a survey conducted among the electorate, he won 51% of the votes among the 18 to 29-year-old segment, while Biden obtained 61%.

Harris told her audience Tuesday that they should enjoy the holidays. But, he added: “I challenge you to come back prepared, prepared to chart our path into the future. Head up, shoulders back, always impatient for change.”

Additionally, he began his speech by expressing concern about gun violence following a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.

“The solutions are at hand,” he said. “But we need elected leaders to have the courage to step up and do the right thing.”

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