July 6, in Washington, DC:
The Democrats are facing a critical juncture in their political history as President Joe Biden's performance in the debates comes under increasing scrutiny. Amid the whirlwind of uncertainty, top Democratic circles are reportedly beginning to debate the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris running for president in the next election.
It is becoming more and more apparent to many prominent party members, operatives, and contributors that Biden's attempts to reinvigorate his campaign might not be enough. According to CNN's interviews with multiple Democratic leaders and strategists, even his closest supporters doubt he can successfully spearhead a re-election campaign. A growing number of Democrats are beginning to see Harris as a serious contender, even if Biden frequently says that we shouldn't judge him by his flaws but by the alternatives.
While many have called and texted to speculate about Harris's future role, she and her staff have remained focused on openly supporting Biden. She has been speaking at important meetings and accompanying Biden for Fourth of July celebrations, which are recent changes to her calendar that show a subtle shift in her campaign posture. Harris is becoming the center of attention in Democratic politics, despite her apparent affiliation with Biden. This is being exacerbated by early assaults from the campaign of former president Donald Trump.
In an effort to unite supporters behind Harris' candidacy, officials have begun scolding contributors who doubt her electability. Allegedly, preparations are being made to convince Biden to quickly endorse Harris, release his delegates, and rally their support for her. According to CNN, this step is being made in order to head off any internal disputes within the Democratic ticket regarding leadership.
Speculation has begun to circulate among Democrats regarding possible running mates for Harris, with renowned Democratic governors being the most heavily mentioned names. Subjects being debated include Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Tim Walz of Minnesota. This strategy, however, runs the danger of removing Harris's traditionally granted power to choose her running mate.
The internal discussion was compared by one Democratic senator to a football game, with Biden and Harris portrayed as the starting quarterbacks. Similar to starting a seasoned backup player in the face of game-day uncertainties, the senator depicted a situation where concerns about Biden's performance lead to demands for Harris' removal. Also looming huge is the logistical difficulty of the Democratic Party's leadership transition. Those in favor of Harris believe that, as the current ticket leader, she is well-positioned to take over the financial and operational duties of the campaign.
A former congressman from Ohio named Tim Ryan has come out in support of Harris, pointing to extensive informal agreements among his colleagues. Ryan claims that the Democratic narrative would be dramatically changed if Biden were to step down in favor of Harris, which would strengthen the party's chances of winning elections and dispel rumors of party weakness.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesman for Biden's campaign, responded to speculation by denying it, reiterating Biden's commitment as the nominee and Harris as his running mate, and expressing confidence in their election victory this November, as reported by CNN. In the meanwhile, some Democrats in the House are worried that they would suffer electoral defeats under Harris's leadership. Even if they were skeptical at first, powerful Democrats are now seeing Harris as a better choice than Biden and are rethinking their position.
"Unburdened by What Has Been: The Case for Kamala," an anonymously written essay that was shared among Democratic funders and coalition groups, passionately supports Harris' candidacy. In light of changing political dynamics, the paper stresses the need of strategic considerations over individual preferences, arguing that Harris is the Democrats' best electoral chance. Representative Nanette Barragan, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, reflects on the growing influence of Harris and notes that there has been a change in how Democrats view her. Barragan notes an increasing acknowledgment of Harris' achievements and leadership abilities, but she warns against jumping to conclusions regarding Biden's future.
The public's perception of Biden's candidacy has been worsened by his restricted public schedule after his debate performance, which has helped Harris gain support. According to Reproductive Freedom for All president Mini Timmaraju, Harris is more credible than Biden on important Democratic topics, making her an essential part of the party's electoral strategy.
Regardless of one's personal views, Timmaraju urges Democrats to trust Harris' ability when addressing skeptics inside the party. By highlighting Harris's critical role in protecting democratic principles and winning the next election, she draws attention to her importance.
The loyalists of Harris voice their displeasure that her candidacy was not seriously considered among the possible Biden alternatives. They strongly denounce any negative comments made regarding Harris' chances of being elected, especially considering that recent surveys have shown that she is in a competitive race against Trump. Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin calls out attempts to undermine Harris in order to defend Biden and instead calls on everyone to rally behind the existing Democratic ticket. While ignoring harmful attempts to cast doubt on Harris, Levin stresses the significance of voters' faith in her as Biden's running mate and possible successor.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which has been consistently supportive of Biden, expects that their support would be easily transferred to Harris in the event that Biden were to resign. Members highlight the importance of Black voter participation in pivotal election districts, highlighting Harris' involvement in galvanizing these groups. Harris' candidacy is invaluable, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks, a senior CBC member, especially among the Democratic base supporters who are pivotal to winning the election. Harris, according to Meeks, is the most formidable opponent to Trump because of her charisma and leadership abilities.
When discussing Harris' political career, it is common to go back to important points, like her outstanding performance during Biden's defeat in the debate. Harris has strengthened her position inside the Biden team by navigating hurdles with an emphasis on substantive problems and by demonstrating strategic ability and an eloquent approach.
In the future, Harris may choose to run with one of several experienced governors who have bipartisan appeal, such as Roy Cooper or Andy Beshear. Their histories of success as gubernatorial candidates and as state attorneys general make them strong contenders to support Harris in her possible run for the office. Specifically, Harris and Roy Cooper have been friends for a long time, going all the way back to when they were both attorneys general. Cooper recently hinted at a future of collaboration in national politics when he lauded Harris' intelligence and preparedness for higher office in an interview.
The fact that Andy Beshear is leading a state that leans Republican is more evidence of his political success and his commitment to Democratic principles. Along with Harris, Beshear is an attractive contender due to his increasing prominence within the Democratic Party and his active participation in national Democratic events. The discussion surrounding Harris's bid for the Democratic nomination is developing as party strategists plan for the party's future leadership. There are still obstacles, but Harris's backers are confident in her ability to steer the Democratic ticket to triumph.
