In a stunning turn of events that has reshaped the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris is riding a massive wave of momentum following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the campaign.
The hashtag #Americalovesjoe began trending on X, formerly Twitter, within hours of Biden’s announcement, as supporters rallied behind his decision and his endorsement of Harris as his successor.
Nancy Pelosi posted the hashtag with a heartfelt message to the president saying, “.@JoeBiden has always put our country first. His vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. #AmericaLovesJoe for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. -NP”
Newsweek contacted the Biden campaign via email on Sunday for comment.
.@JoeBiden has always put our country first. His vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. #AmericaLovesJoe for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. -NP pic.twitter.com/9dMqcuw4pl
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) July 21, 2024
The political landscape shifted dramatically on Sunday when Biden, citing a desire to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership, dropped out of the race and threw his full support behind Harris.
The move, which caught many political observers off guard, has triggered a cascade of endorsements from Democratic heavyweights and a surge in campaign donations.
Harris released a statement following Biden’s announcement, expressing her intention to earn and win the nomination. She pledged to unite the Democratic Party and the nation to defeat Donald Trump and his agenda.
The response from the Democratic establishment was swift and largely unified. California Governor Gavin Newsom, long considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, quickly endorsed Harris, stating on social media that no one is better to prosecute the case against Trump than the former prosecutor and California Attorney General.
Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.
With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, another rising star in the party, echoed this sentiment, declaring that the best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency.
The endorsements extended beyond state executives, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a 2020 presidential candidate himself, pledging his support. Buttigieg praised Harris’s leadership and committed to helping her win the election.
While some potential rivals have yet to make their intentions clear, the rapid consolidation behind Harris has made the prospect of a competitive primary increasingly unlikely. This unity is reflected in the fundraising numbers, which have reportedly skyrocketed since Biden’s announcement.
Jon Henes, Harris’s national finance chair during her 2020 presidential run, reported an overwhelming response from donors. The financial support isn’t limited to big-dollar donors. ActBlue, the progressive online fundraising platform, reported raising $27.5 million from small-dollar donors in just five hours following Biden’s endorsement of Harris.
NEW: Small-dollar donors raise over $27.5 million on ActBlue in the first 5 hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Grassroots supporters are energized and excited to support her as the Democratic nominee.
— ActBlue (@actblue) July 21, 2024
Recent fundraising figures from June show that the Republican National Committee (RNC) significantly outpaced its Democratic counterpart. According to CNN, the RNC raised nearly $67 million in June, one of its strongest fundraising months in recent years. This far surpassed the $39.2 million collected by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in the same period.
As the dust settles on this political earthquake, the focus now shifts to Harris’s ability to unify the party and articulate a compelling message to the American people. With just weeks away from the Democratic National Convention, time is of the essence for the Vice President to solidify her position and prepare for what promises to be a fierce general election battle.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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