On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris secured the majority of Democratic National Convention delegates, making her the likely Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. This development marks a significant shift in the race, positioning Harris as the frontrunner following President Joe Biden’s unexpected departure from the contest.
The delegates, comprising party officials, activists, volunteers, and lawmakers, decided to expedite the endorsement process through a Google form, effectively consolidating Harris’s path to the nomination. The move demonstrates the party’s desire for a swift transition and unified front as the election cycle intensifies.
The announcement came after Harris made her first public appearance since Biden’s exit. At a White House event celebrating NCAA championship teams, Harris lauded President Biden’s accomplishments and explained his decision to step down, attributing it to his “deep love of our country.”
Harris took the stage with the confidence of a candidate buoyed by remarkable fundraising success. Reports indicate that she raised over $200 million within 24 hours of Biden’s announcement, with $150 million from major donors and $81 million from small contributors. ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s donation platform, noted this as the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle.
Later in the day, speaking from her campaign headquarters in Delaware, Harris outlined her campaign’s strategy against Donald Trump. She framed Trump’s economic plans as benefiting the wealthy and highlighted her prosecutorial background, contrasting it with Trump’s legal troubles. “Hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type,” she declared. “In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his.”
Harris also garnered a significant endorsement from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called for quick unification behind Harris. Pelosi’s support is pivotal, although other top Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries have yet to endorse her, preferring to maintain an open and competitive process. Former President Barack Obama has also withheld his endorsement.
Strengths and Weaknesses
At 59, Harris brings a relative youthfulness to the campaign, counteracting GOP attacks on the 81-year-old Biden. Her campaign is embracing modern cultural trends, exemplified by millennial pop star Charli XCX’s endorsement of Harris, which has resonated with younger voters. The KHive, Harris’s supporters, are drawing parallels with Beyoncé’s Beyhive, further energizing her base.
Harris plans to leverage her career as a prosecutor to draw a sharp contrast with Trump, who has been convicted of multiple felonies. However, her record is a double-edged sword, providing fodder for both progressives and conservatives who criticize her decisions on criminal justice issues. For instance, the GOP is likely to highlight her 2004 decision as San Francisco District Attorney not to seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing a police officer.
As a pro-choice woman, Harris could gain an advantage in the post-Roe era, where protecting abortion rights has proven beneficial for Democratic candidates. Unlike Biden, who seldom mentioned abortion, Harris has taken a proactive stance, even visiting an abortion clinic on the campaign trail.
However, Harris faces challenges as a Black woman in a political landscape where such candidates are often scrutinized more harshly. The right-wing’s attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) programs have already cast doubt on Harris’s qualifications, reminiscent of the scrutiny she faced upon her vice-presidential nomination in 2020.
Biden’s unpopularity on issues like the economy and immigration could be a liability for Harris. As Vice President, she was tasked with handling the southern border, a contentious issue that the GOP is likely to exploit. Her limited foreign policy experience also leaves questions about potential differences from Biden’s approach. This week presents an early test as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington. Harris announced she will not preside over Netanyahu’s address to Congress but will meet with him privately, indicating a cautious approach to international diplomacy.
Kamala Harris’s rapid ascent to the forefront of the Democratic presidential race signifies a pivotal moment in the 2024 election cycle. With strong fundraising, strategic endorsements, and a clear campaign vision, she is poised to lead the Democratic Party against Donald Trump. Yet, her campaign must navigate complex challenges, from her prosecutorial record to the intricacies of international relations. As the race unfolds, Harris’s ability to unite the party and appeal to a broad electorate will be crucial in her quest for the presidency.
