Kamala Harris Endorsed By Joe Biden For President. Republicans and Trump Campaign Are Reeling.

Introduction

In what can only be described as one of the most shocking 52 days of any American presidential campaign, Joe Biden has officially endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as his successor. Here's a detailed look at how the events have unfolded, and what this means for the Democratic and Republican parties.

Introduction

Over the last 52 days, the political landscape has experienced unprecedented shifts. On July 21st at 4:46 PM Eastern, President Joe Biden posted a letter on Twitter announcing his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and his full endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Since then, Harris has received endorsements from various Democratic officials and potential challengers. The Democratic Party has quickly rallied behind her, while the Trump campaign and Republicans are struggling to adjust to this new reality.

Democratic Reaction

Initial Reactions

From the Pod Save America team:

• John Favro: Highlighted the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties regarding leadership and decision-making.
• John Lovett: Emphasized Joe Biden's character in stepping down for the greater good of the party.
• Tommy Vietor: Expressed relief and the difficult road ahead but believed odds for winning had improved.
• Dan Pfeiffer: Shared feelings of sadness and empathy for Biden but recognized Biden's actions as an embodiment of his message and leadership style.

Decision Process

Various reports indicate that Biden's decision was influenced by new internal polling results from battleground states, showing almost no path to victory. A key meeting with top aides and advisors, along with the looming public pressure from figures like Nancy Pelosi, appeared to be significant factors. Despite the initial reluctance and statements to the contrary, Biden eventually recognized the need for change and took the unprecedented step of stepping down.

Kamala Harris: The New Candidate

Endorsements and Support

Following Biden's endorsement, Kamala Harris quickly garnered support from a broad swath of the Democratic Party. Notable endorsements include:

• Nancy Pelosi
• Chuck Schumer
• Hakeem Jeffries
• Barack Obama

Advantages

Kamala Harris brings several strong points to her campaign:

• Contrasting Background: Her legal and prosecutorial experience contrasts sharply with Trump's legal troubles.
• Demographic Appeal: Potential to energize Black, Latino, and young voters where Biden had struggled.
• Reintroduction Opportunity: The chance to redefine public perception and gain more favorable opinions.

Challenges

The challenges she faces include:

• Racial and Gender Bias: Likely to face sexist and racist attacks.
• Immigration and Crime: Republicans will aim to pin immigration issues on her, citing her term as the "immigration czar".
• Public Perception: General unfavorable impression needs improvement.

Republican Reaction

Initial Disarray

The Trump campaign and Republicans initially struggled to adapt to the news:

• Donald Trump: Attacked Biden and Harris on Truth Social but hasn't focused much directly on Harris yet.
• Campaign Shift: GOP has been thrown off balance, having to recalibrate their strategies on the fly.

Messaging Strategy

In the new landscape, expect Republicans to pivot from ageism to:

• Racism and Sexism: Amplified attacks on Harris’s competence and credentials.
• Policy Failures: Tying her to the least popular aspects of Biden's administration.

The Road Ahead

The VP Selection

Possible candidates include:

• Josh Shapiro
• Andy Beshear
• Roy Cooper
• Mark Kelly
• Pete Buttigieg

The Debates

Trump's initial reluctance suggests an attempt to renegotiate terms rather than avoidance. Harris should leverage this to maintain a strong public and media presence.

Legal Challenges

Republicans are fielding legal threats alleging violations in the substitution of candidates. However, historical precedents have favored party autonomy in choosing their nominees, making these challenges likely to fail.

Vote Save America Initiative

VSA reported substantial engagement:

• 6,000 new organizer sign-ups
• $ 225,000 in donations over the weekend
• 24,000 volunteers reaching out to over a million voters

Harris's candidacy marks a pivotal moment with Democrats rallying passionately while the Trump campaign is scrambling to recalibrate.

Keywords

• Kamala Harris
• Joe Biden
• Endorsement
• Democratic Party
• Republican Party
• Trump Campaign
• Presidential Race
• Battleground States
• Internal Polling
• VP Selection

FAQ

Why did Biden endorse Kamala Harris?

Biden endorsed Kamala Harris following internal polling showing almost no path to victory and mounting pressure from Democratic figures.

What are Kamala Harris's strengths as a candidate?

Harris’s background as a prosecutor against Trump’s criminal background offers a strong contrast. She has the potential to galvanize Black, Latino, and young voters and reintroduce herself to the broader electorate.

What challenges will Harris face?

Harris is likely to encounter racist and sexist attacks, criticism on immigration policy, and negative public perception that she will need to change.

How have Republicans reacted to Harris's candidacy?

The Trump campaign initially struggled to adapt, with disjointed attacks from Trump and other Republican aides. They will likely shift strategies to focus on portraying Harris as an incompetent and radical candidate.

Who might be Kamala Harris's running mate?

Potential VP candidates include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Will Trump debate Harris?

Trump has hinted at not debating Harris on previously agreed terms, suggesting a renegotiation. Whether he will ultimately debate depends largely on future polling and his campaign’s strategy.

Are there legal challenges from Republicans regarding Harris's candidacy?

Republicans have threatened legal action alleging violations in candidate substitution, but historical precedents and legal opinions suggest these are unlikely to succeed.