Washington: Kamala Harris is facing her first big decision as the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination: who to choose as a running mate. Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a bench of new-generation Democratic leaders as she moves toward a critical decision: picking a running mate.

The list of possibilities is fairly well known and includes Democrats widely seen as possible presidential candidates in 2028. She is expected to make the pick before Democrats convene on Aug. 19 in Chicago for their nominating convention.

Harris, 59, could be inclined to turn to someone from a battleground state that the party needs to win against former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. She is also likely to turn to a male politician, Democrats said, to give the ticket balance. But nothing is certain.

Biden Says It Is Time to Step Aside for a Fresh, Younger Voice

Speaking from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, President Biden defended his record and celebrated the vice president, Kamala Harris, saying it’s time for new, younger voices to lead the country.

In an Oval Office address, President Biden praised Vice President Kamala Harris and said “it’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.”

President Biden told the American public in an  on Wednesday that he had abandoned his re-election campaign because there is “a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices — yes, younger voices.”

His words, lasting 11 minutes in all, were the first extensive ones from Mr. Biden since his decision to step aside, and expanded on his initial announcement, news on Sunday, that he was dropping out of the race. His tone was wistful and his speech was an early farewell.

“It’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” he said.

Sitting behind the Resolute Desk and surrounded by photos of his family, Mr. Biden ticked through the accomplishments of his term, ranging from the choice of the first Black woman to be a Supreme Court justice to pulling the country out of a paralyzing pandemic. He expressed gratitude to the American people for allowing a “kid with a stutter” from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pa., to reach the pinnacle of American politics.

Just beyond the camera, dozens of aides and several members of his family, including Jill Biden, the first lady, watched as Mr. Biden said he would walk away from the office they had worked to help him reach for decades.