Kamala Harris Clinches Historic Democratic Nomination for 2024
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Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced on Monday. This historic win makes her the first Black woman and the first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket.
Introduction
The announcement was made following the closure of the delegate voting period at 6 p.m. ET. Kamala Harris garnered an overwhelming 99% of the vote, as reported by the DNC. This victory comes as no surprise, given that President Joe Biden had endorsed her shortly after announcing he would not seek re-election. Harris was the only candidate who amassed enough delegate signatures to appear on the ballot, and by Friday, it was already clear she had secured enough votes to win the nomination.
Next, the results will be certified by the convention secretary, after which Harris will officially accept the nomination. This nomination allows her to choose her running mate without requiring a separate vote. She is expected to reveal her choice by Tuesday, ahead of a planned campaign rally in Philadelphia.
Main Event: Harris’ Presidential Campaign Kickoff
Virtual Fundraising Event with Top Comedians
On Monday night, a virtual event titled “Comics for Kamala” saw dozens of top comedians raising funds for Harris’ presidential campaign. The lineup included Ben Stiller, Jason Bateman, Tiffany Haddish, Phoebe Robinson, Patton Oswalt, Whoopi Goldberg, Keegan-Michael Key, Ed Helms, Kevin Nealon, and Margaret Cho, among others.
At the event’s peak, around 24,000 people tuned in via Zoom, helping to raise over $530,000 for the Harris campaign. The event kicked off with Jon Hamm and was hosted by comedian Paul Mercurio. Highlights included Nick Offerman performing a comedic folk song about former President Donald Trump, Kathy Griffin bringing singer Sia on a FaceTime call, and Cecily Strong from “SNL” roasting Trump’s running mate JD Vance. Keegan-Michael Key also reprised his impression of former President Obama.
Political Support and Rallying
Progressive politicians, labor leaders, and activists joined an organizing call on Monday to rally support for Harris’ campaign. They emphasized that a Harris administration could achieve more of their policy goals compared to a second Trump term. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal highlighted the progressive achievements under the Biden-Harris administration, such as investments in combating climate change, drug price negotiation rules, canceled student debt, and strict enforcement of antitrust laws.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive “squad” on Capitol Hill, posed a critical question: “Do we organize our asses off to ensure we have a president we can mobilize with and continue building on the progress we’ve made, or do we risk another Trump presidency?”
Even those from the “uncommitted” movement expressed hope that they might work with Harris to achieve their goals and defeat Trump. Abbas Alawieh, one of the movement’s 30 DNC delegates, noted that he’s navigating “certain tensions and contradictions” amid the political environment.
Harris’ Campaign Strategy and Running Mate Speculations
Anticipation for Running Mate Announcement
As Harris prepares to announce her running mate, the campaign is fueling anticipation by sending out numerous emails urging supporters to sign up. The campaign plans to reveal the choice through an online message before the rally in Philadelphia. A senior Democratic adviser mentioned that the campaign aims to keep the decision a secret as a display of loyalty to the new candidate and the new boss.
A recent email included a picture of the moment Joe Biden asked Harris to be his Vice President. “See this picture? That was the moment Joe Biden asked me to be his Vice President,” Harris wrote. “It was perhaps one of the most memorable days of my life.”
Potential Running Mates
Key Contenders: Shapiro, Walz, and Kelly
Josh Shapiro: Shapiro, the current Governor of Pennsylvania, was previously the state’s attorney general. He won a landslide victory in 2022 and has been a strong ally to both Harris and President Biden.
Tim Walz: The Governor of Minnesota, Walz has a background in the Army National Guard and education. His tenure has seen significant political and social upheaval, including managing the Covid-19 pandemic and navigating the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder.
Mark Kelly: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, represents a critical swing state. He has been a reliable supporter of Democratic policies but has occasionally bucked the party line, such as when he called the influx of undocumented migrants a “crisis.”
Republican Response and Counter-Campaigns
Trump’s Strategy Against Harris
Despite efforts to label Harris as “dangerously liberal,” former President Donald Trump has also questioned her racial identity. During a panel interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, he controversially remarked that she “happened to turn Black.”
Republicans have urged Trump to focus on policy rather than race. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and Trump ally, said, “Every day we’re talking about her heritage and not her terrible, dangerous liberal record is a good day for her and a bad day for us.”
During a rally in Atlanta, Trump also disparaged Harris and defended his running mate, JD Vance. “We have to work hard to define her,” Trump said. “I don’t even want to define her. I just want to say who she is. She’s a horror show.”
JD Vance’s Campaign Moves
JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, is planning a series of events to counter Harris’ campaign. Vance will be making stops in Philadelphia, Detroit, and other key battleground states. His tour comes as he seeks to reintroduce himself to the American public and divert attention away from Harris.
Vance’s campaign stops will not include Trump or match the scale of Harris’ events. Harris’ campaign will feature a mix of intimate gatherings and large rallies, aiming to maintain momentum.
Harris’ Campaign and Policy Focus
Economic Policies and Challenges
The Biden-Harris administration has faced challenges despite a strong economy. Although inflation is under control, the job market is showing signs of weakening. Last month, the economy gained just 114,000 jobs, and unemployment rose to 4.3%, complicating Harris’ economic pitch.
Earlier Monday, the administration announced that White House economic aide Gene Sperling would join Harris’ policy team. Sperling has over a decade of experience in senior government roles and will be a senior economic advisor on the campaign.
Infrastructure and Labor Support
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is set to tour bridge construction sites and a port location in Maine, promoting the administration’s infrastructure investments. Buttigieg has been on the shortlist of potential running mates for Harris.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) has formally endorsed Harris, and its president, Shawn Fain, expressed support for Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as potential running mates. Fain criticized Shapiro’s support for school vouchers and Kelly’s stance on the union-friendly PRO Act.
FAQs
What is the significance of Kamala Harris’ nomination?
Kamala Harris’ nomination is historic as she is the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket.
Who are the potential running mates for Kamala Harris?
The key contenders are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
What are the main challenges Harris’ campaign faces?
Harris’ campaign faces economic challenges, including a weakening job market, and political attacks from former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance.
How is Harris’ campaign addressing these challenges?
Harris’ campaign is focusing on policy achievements, engaging with voters through rallies and virtual events, and leveraging endorsements from labor unions and political leaders.
What is the role of progressive politicians and activists in Harris’ campaign?
Progressive politicians and activists are rallying support for Harris, emphasizing that her administration could achieve more progressive policy goals compared to a second Trump term.
Conclusion
Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is in full swing as she prepares to announce her running mate and embarks on a series of rallies in key battleground states. With strong support from progressive politicians, labor unions, and a diverse coalition of voters, Harris is poised to make history once again. The campaign faces significant challenges, but with a strategic focus on policy achievements and voter engagement, Harris aims to build on the progress made under the Biden-Harris administration and secure a victory in November.
