Mia Boykin
Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, securing the support of more than the required 1,976 delegates needed to clinch the nomination. This development comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race, setting the stage for a historic campaign that could see Harris become the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket in a U.S. presidential election.
The Associated Press survey indicates that Harris has secured 2,887 delegates for the Democratic nominee, with only 47 undecided. How’s that for uniting the democratic party?
Harris’s delegate support marks a swift consolidation behind the Vice President, demonstrating the party’s readiness to unite behind a new standard-bearer. While the delegates’ pledges are non-binding until the official vote at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, the overwhelming support signals a clear path for Harris to formally secure the nomination.
Harris delivered a forceful campaign speech in Wilmington, DE on July 22nd, with signs for HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT as the background. The speech set the tone for her upcoming battle against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Drawing on her background as a prosecutor, Harris told supporters, “I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain.” She directly challenged Trump, stating, “I know Donald Trump’s type. In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his.”
Harris outlined her policy priorities, including signing laws to protect abortion rights and ban assault rifles. She emphasized her focus on rebuilding the middle class, positioning herself as a champion for economic equality. This approach suggests a campaign strategy that will blend continuity with the Biden administration’s policies and Harris’s own vision for America’s future.
Democratic Wave of Support For Harris
The transition of support from Biden to Harris has been remarkably rapid. Within minutes of receiving Biden’s endorsement, Harris began consolidating Democratic support, securing commitments from hundreds of convention delegates, announcing a significant fundraising haul, and earning endorsements from top party figures. This swift rallying behind Harris underscores the party’s recognition of the historic nature of her candidacy and the urgent desire to present a united front against the Republican opposition.
The people have answered as well, as Harris has now raised $100 million in just a few days after Biden announced his exit. Grassroots campaigns like #WinWithBlackWomen and #WinWithBlackMen have generated millions of dollars, along with many first-time donors donating directly to the campaign with no affiliation.
However, Harris faces challenges as she steps into the spotlight. The Trump campaign quickly responded to her campaign launch, with national press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticizing Harris as “just as incompetent as Joe Biden and even more liberal,” and calling on her to defend her support of Biden’s policies and her own record as California’s attorney general.
As Harris prepares to lead the Democratic ticket, she must navigate a complex political landscape. The 2024 election is shaping up to be a defining moment in American history, with Harris potentially breaking significant barriers in representation. Her candidacy sets the stage for a potentially transformative election in November.
The coming months will be crucial as Harris works to articulate her vision for the country’s future while also addressing the challenges facing the nation. With Trump facing legal challenges, including a September sentencing for falsifying business records and charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the stage is set for a high-stakes and potentially divisive campaign.
President Joe Biden, recovering from COVID-19 at his home in Delaware, has pledged his full support to Harris, calling into her campaign event to express his confidence in her leadership. He reaffirmed his belief that stepping aside was the right decision while committing to remain in office until his term ends on January 20, 2025.
Now that Harris has secured the necessary delegates and stated her declarations against Trump, the ride to the White House will be a bumpy ride as her administration scrambles to secure the popular vote with just a few months before the general election.
