This has a nice ring to it
Kamala Harris has not yet received the DNC’s official nomination, but everyone else thinks it’s a done deal. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that she has no interest in being vice-president but will co-chair Harris’ campaign. She put out a strong message: “She’s a former prosecutor, a champion for reproductive freedom, and I know she’s got Michigan’s back,” she said. “That’s in stark contrast to Donald Trump, a convicted felon who stokes violence, overturned Roe, and drove our economy into the ground last time he was in the White House.” Harris has also gained the support of Nikki Haley’s former voters, who have changed their name to “Haley Voters for Harris.” They were initially planning to campaign for Biden, but immediately after Biden’s announcement, they changed the name of their organization. The director of the organization, Craig Snyder, emailed Newsweek to say that Harris is a “tough former prosecutor” and the best candidate to “defeat Donald Trump in November,” unlike their namesake, who endorsed Trump at the RNC.
Margaret Brennan of CBS News said that her sources warned of “political suicide” to whomever challenges Harris for the nomination. Following President Biden’s endorsement, ActBlue hauled in almost $47 million in small-dollar donations. In fact, in the hours following Biden’s announcement, Business Insider reported that ActBlue took in over $53 million, which buried Trump’s one-day total of $52 million after his conviction.
While this may all seem a bit premature, everyone is on board: the delegates, Democratic governors, members of Congress, labor unions, and Cabinet members. It is almost ironic that Biden stepped aside and anointed Harris, as all the talk was about two old white men running for office. What a difference a day makes. Not only is Harris almost 20 years younger than Trump, but she is a woman of color. The burning question now is who will be Kamala Harris’ running mate? Politico put together a list of nine people they believe Harris might choose.
We already know Whitmer is out by choice. Some are pushing Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania. Two other governors are being considered (according to Politico): Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Roy Cooper of North Carolina. The favorite on the list seems to be Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who has shown his strength in the state not once but twice. When asked whether he would accept, ABC News reported that Josh Shapiro said: “I’m not going to engage in hypotheticals. This is a deeply person decision the vice president will make. She will make it on her own timetable and on her own timeline.”
In the interim, ABC News reported that Harris has raised $81M in 24 hours, the Democratic super PAC has received $150M in commitments that were being withheld, President Biden will campaign with Harris, and Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Harris. People are wondering why President Obama hasn’t yet endorsed Harris, but he will in his own time. Harris for President spokesperson Kevin Munoz said: “The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections.” That energy is palpable; it will hopefully carry us back to the White House.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years