Biden talks about passing torch in address

President Biden plans to campaign in battleground states "very aggressively" with Vice President Harris as soon as the doctor gives him the COVID "all-clear," according to a senior administration official.

Biden tested positive for COVID last week.

The president will first return to the White House, then will hit the trail in the coming weeks to campaign for and with Harris, the source added.

The president is still expected to deliver remarks later this week and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The timing of all of this, the source said, is dependent on Biden's COVID recovery. But the source said they are "hopeful" it will be later this week.

The source added that they want to make sure Biden's "voice" is ready to go and that he can clearly deliver his message.

The senior administration official emphasized that Biden is still "going to finish the job" and that his priorities will remain the same. Part of finishing that job, this person added, is making sure Harris gets elected.

Another official said the president is still "full steam ahead" on his legislative priorities.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Monday officially endorsing Kamala Harris for President of the United States.

"Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country's future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for President is official, personal and political.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, speaking to a local station's reporter on Monday, said she would not take the vice presidency if offered and that she does not plan on leaving Michigan.

"No. I am not planning to go anywhere," Whitmer said when asked if she is prepared to take the vice presidency if it were to be offered to her.

When asked to confirm that, if offered the position, she would not take it, Whitmer said, "I am not leaving Michigan. I am proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again; I know you're doing your job. I am not going anywhere."

Major Democratic donor, businessman and one-time presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg is urging the Democratic Party to take a step back and "take the pulse of voters" before determining "who is best positioned to win in November," saying "the decision is too important to rush."

"Democrats now have a chance for a fresh new start, and while some elected leaders and party officials make their endorsements, there are still four weeks before the party's more than 4,000 delegates convene in Chicago," Bloomberg posted Monday on X.

"That is more than enough time for the party to take the pulse of voters, especially in battleground states, to determine who is best positioned to win in November and lead the country over the next four years," Bloomberg continued. "We don't need to get a resolution right away, but we do need to get it right. The decision is too important to rush, because the election is too important to lose."

Bloomberg also praised President Joe Biden for stepping down, calling it "an act of selflessness that only a great patriot would do."