The News Not Noise Letter: Is It a Kamalanomenon?
Kamala Harris effectively clinched the Dem nomination in 24 hours. Plus: Team Trump starts counterattacks, and who’s in the running for VP?
Kamala is the Candidate.
It’s all but over. Less than 24 hours after President Biden passed her the Baton, Vice President Kamala Harris cleared the field of all credible challengers. She’s on a glidepath to winning the Democratic nomination for president.
This afternoon Harris traveled to Delaware to rally her newly-inherited campaign team at the rebranded “Kamala HQ.”
“We Can Do Hard Things”: At the Delaware campaign event, Harris declared, “We are going to win.” She said that she has asked Biden’s campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon to stay on in that role. Dillon – known to staff as JOD – organized Sunday’s successful effort to win Harris endorsements and clear the field of challengers. Today, Harris previewed the case she will make against Trump saying that as a prosecutor she has “seen Donald Trump’s type.” Some key points:
Prosecutor v Criminal: “I prosecuted sex predators. Trump is one. I shut down for-profit scam colleges. He ran one. I held big banks accountable. He’s owned by them.”
Future v Past: Harris said Trump wants “to take our country backward to a time before many of our fellow Americans had full freedoms and rights.”
Reproductive Rights: Harris plans to center reproductive rights in her campaign: “The government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”
Biden Called In: Biden called into Harris’s campaign event. He said his decision to withdraw was “the right thing to do” and told Harris, “I’m watching you, kid. I love you.”
Age: Biden used that language advisedly. At a sprightly 59 years, Harris is the “kid” in the race. And Harris allies point out Trump is now the oldest candidate to seek the presidency.
Kamala IS Brat: After British popstar Charli XCX tweeted that “kamala IS brat,” the Harris campaign changed its social media profile pics to a striking shade of “brat” green. (“Brat” is the name of XCX’s latest album and also a viral meme. Basically, this is Gen Z speak for “Kamala Harris is cool.”)
That Was Fast: Biden for President’s social media accounts are already rebranded as Harris for President. Where it once said Biden/Harris it now just says Harris. (More memes abound.)
“Enthusiastic Support”: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi sealed the deal today, formally endorsing Harris “with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future.” She called Harris “brilliantly astute” and lauded her “strength and courage.”
Clearing the Field
Nearly all the Democrats floated as potential rivals for the candidacy have fallen in line. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a top potential contender, is now the Harris campaign’s co-chair and floated as a VP contender. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another popular potential rival, gave her a glowing endorsement, calling her “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.”
How did the Harris campaign pull this off?
Over 10 hours on Sunday Harris personally called over 100 Democratic leaders, electeds, and advocacy groups. This not only won her waves of quick endorsements, but also impressed some party insiders who had been on the fence about her candidacy. One told me her effectiveness Sunday was a “10 out of 10.”
Nomination
Technically, the race is still open. In an appearance on CNN, MN Gov Tim Walz, co-chair of the DNC Rules Committee, said the committee will meet this Wednesday. Anyone who wants to challenge Harris will have 3 days to enter the race. A challenger can enter the race by getting the signatures of 300 delegates (from 6+ different states). So far no one has thrown their hat in the ring. The DNC will select the nominee by virtual roll call vote sometime between August 1-7. Walz was confident that the Democratic nominee will be on the November ballot in all 50 states.
Former President Obama, Sen. Schumer and House Minority Leader Jeffries have not yet endorsed Harris, though Schumer and Jeffries released a statement praising her. These Democratic leaders said they’re holding back to “create a process” to avoid a “coronation.”
Fundraising
In the first 24 hours after Biden’s announcement, the Harris campaign directly raised a record-breaking $81 million. The Democrat fundraising portal ActBlue processed more than $100 million dollars in small-dollar donations during that same window, and the Future Forward super PAC says it received $150 million new commitments from Dem donors. This matters not just because it means the campaign and its allies will be well-funded but it’s also a sign of voter enthusiasm for Harris.
How will Team Trump run against Harris?
A new campaign requires a new strategy. In a memo released today, the Trump campaign laid out its case against Harris. Calling her “Dangerously liberal Kamala,” they say Trump is beating Harris in national and battleground polls. (A new Quinnipiac poll shows the race within the margin of error, Trump 49%, Harris 47%.) They argue that “the liberal elite and deep state – “swapped” Harris in “in a ploy.” Here are some of the issues they plan to prosecute: