Biden picks Kamala Harris for VP

Sen. Kamala Harris has tweeted her first reaction since it was announced that she will be Joe Biden's running mate.

The California Democrat said she'll "do what it takes" to make Biden "our Commander-in-Chief."

Read the tweet:

Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during the AARP and The Des Moines Register Iowa Presidential Candidate Forum on July 16, 2019 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

History shows that Kamala Harris is likely to face a double layer of scrutiny as the first Black woman to run on a major political party’s presidential ticket, said CNN senior political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson, just moments after Joe Biden announced his choice. 

Henderson said there had already been leaks out of the selection process in which Biden allies had hit Harris with the kind of criticism often reserved powerful women, suggesting she "rubbed people the wrong way" or was "too ambitious."

"Then there's a double layer when you add on a person of color and of race and of ethnic backgrounds [as] we will see with Kamala Harris," added Henderson. "I think she is a singular person and she has been vocal about the unfair ways in which women are treated and in this instance obviously a woman of color has to deal with that double scrutiny of both race and gender."

Cory Booker and Kamala Harris speak onstage at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said the appointment of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate is a "defining moment in U.S. history."

He added that "Black women have been at the forefront of moving us toward a more representative and unified society" but their representation within high levels of government never matched "their unwavering participation in our democracy."

Johnson said this decision "breaks down one of these barriers in historic proportions. That it comes at a time in which Black Americans face dueling threats from a global health crisis and ingrained racism is all the more powerful."

"While we do not support a political party, we recognize the overwhelming significance of this moment and what it means for this nation. We must not allow coverage of Sen. Harris' historic candidacy to decline into ugly racist and sexist stereotypes and attacks," the statement said.

"Regardless of party affiliation, every American should be proud that this milestone was finally reached," Johnson added.

Jill Biden, Joe Biden's wife, welcomed Kamala Harris' husband to the team.

She just tweeted this to Douglas Emhoff:

About Emhoff: The Brooklyn-born Emhoff had been a quietly supportive presence during Harris' own 2020 run. He was often spotted backstage or at the edge of Harris' crowds at both her campaign events and book tour events last year, although he once rushed onstage to grab an animal rights protester who leapt on stage Saturday to confront Harris.

The Brooklyn native, who moved to Southern California in his teens and attended the USC Gould School of Law, launched his own firm in 2000 before Venable acquired it in 2006. At DLA Piper, Emhoff has continued to focus on business, entertainment and intellectual property law in both California and Washington, DC.

The couple was set up on a blind date in 2013 when Harris was California's attorney general by her best friend, Chrisette Hudlin.

Kamala Harris speaks at a hearing of the Homeland Security Committee on June 25, in Washington, DC. Alexander Drago/Getty Images

A reminder that President Trump less than two weeks ago said that Sen. Kamala Harris would be a "fine choice."

Trump made the comment in response to a question about veepstakes as he was leaving the White House on July 29.

Asked how he'd rate Harris as a vice president, Trump said, "I think she'd be a fine choice, Kamala Harris. She'd be a fine choice."

Prominent Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former president Bill Clinton are tweeting their approval of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate.

Here are the tweets:

Pelosi said Harris "will continue her legacy of trailblazing leadership to move our nation forward."

Former President Bill Clinton called Harris a "terrific choice."

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said Harris will be a "strong partner" for Biden.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Harris was the "perfect choice" for Biden.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang said Harris is "set to make history."

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms congratulated Harris and Biden on a "historic ticket."

The Biden campaign has announced that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will give remarks tomorrow in Wilmington, Delaware. The time of the event has not been announced.

AP

Stacey Abrams and Gretchen Whitmer, two other vice president contenders, praised Joe Biden's decision to choose Kamala Harris as his running mate.

Abrams tweeted that she is thrilled to support Harris as the next vice president and that Biden's focus is "on reaching out to every corner of our country."

Whitmer also said that she is proud to support Harris and called them a "fierce team to Build America Back Better"

Read the tweets:

Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 7, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Joe Biden called Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, himself earlier today to inform her that she would not be chosen as his running mate, according to a source familiar.