US campaign - Harris started with a headwind in the campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her campaign as a potential replacement for Joe Biden in the Presidential race with much momentum. The 59-year-old Democrat is reportedly garnering sufficient support from delegates of the Democrats, enabling her to contest the November Presidency against Republican Donald Trump. In addition, she raised a record $81 million in 24 hours in donations following Biden's withdrawal.
The success of Harris raises hopes among Democrats for a long-awaited turnaround in the campaign against Trump. Key party members, including top Democrat Nancy Pelosi, publicly expressed their support. However, the support from the two leading Democrats in the US Congress is yet to be secured.
Media: Enough Delegates Rally Behind Harris
At least during the Democratic National Convention from August 19-22 in Chicago, Harris could be officially nominated. The Presidential election takes place on November 5. However, many delegates have already announced their intention to follow Biden's recommendation and give their votes to Harris - they are free to decide whom they vote for. Harris needs slightly less than 2000 Delegate votes to be nominated. According to various US media estimates, she has already reached this threshold. However, the delegates at the August convention are free to vote for another candidate.
Harris expressed her gratitude to the delegates in a statement. "I am excited to officially accept the nomination soon," it read. She was proud that delegates from her home state of California had helped her cross the threshold, she emphasized. Media reports suggest that the support of many delegates from the most populous state in the US is largely due to Pelosi, who as a Congresswoman represents a California electoral district.
Pelosi publicly, personally, and politically supports Harris
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives had previously endorsed Harris. As a long-term Congresswoman, she still wields significant influence within her own party - in the debate about Biden's fitness for a second term, she was considered a key power broker. The President granted her his full support as his Vice President.
Other party heavyweights spoke out in her favor - notably among them were potential contenders for the nomination, Governors Gavin Newsom (California), Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania), and Roy Cooper (North Carolina). Harris need not fear competition from influential Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who has also withdrawn her candidacy. Support from the left wing of the party came from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Harris campaign team announced record donations.
Not only does Harris seem to have internal party support - financially, she would be well-funded to enter a race against Trump: Her campaign team reportedly collected 81 Million US-Dollars (73 Million Euro) in the past 24 hours. This is the highest amount ever collected by a possible candidate or candidate within this timeframe, it was stated. The 81 Million US-Dollars are reportedly flowing into a campaign war chest already filled with approximately 240 Million US-Dollars (220 Million Euro).
Biden returns to Washington
While Harris is gearing up for the campaign, Biden will return to Washington, D.C. today. The 81-year-old had isolated himself at his private residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware since the previous Wednesday due to his Corona infection. According to his personal physician, Biden is on the mend. However, it remains unclear whether the US President is still infected with the Coronavirus. The exact schedules of Biden's appointments this week are also unclear. A meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before his speech to both US Congress chambers on Wednesday was planned. The US President also announced that he would clarify his plans for withdrawing from the campaign this week.
Harris: "I know types like Donald Trump"
Just before the announcement of his return to the White House, Biden called in to a visit by Harris at the Democrats' campaign headquarters. It was the first time the public heard Biden's voice since his withdrawal. His decision was announced in writing from Corona isolation.
At a rally for campaign workers in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris already hinted at how she would present herself as a counter-candidate to Trump. She said, among other things, that as District Attorney and Attorney General of California, she had dealt with all kinds of criminals. "Criminals who have abused women, con artists who have scammed consumers, and charlatans who have broken rules for their own advantage. Listen to me when I say I know types like Donald Trump."
Vance: Harris "a million times worse than Biden"
The Republican side went on to further verbal attacks against Harris. During appearances in the states of Ohio and Virginia, Trump's vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance called her "a million times worse than Biden." He held Biden's politics responsible. Vance painted a picture of "foggy rooms," in which "elite Democrats" were conspiratorially planning the fall of Biden. The Harris team had labeled Vance as an "extremist" the previous week, suggesting that he had been bought by big spenders from Silicon Valley.
Whether Harris can beat Trump is open. Many Democrats hope that at least she can prevent the Republicans from controlling both chambers of the US Congress - because in the fall election, all seats in the House of Representatives and roughly a third of the seats in the Senate will be up for grabs.
- If Kamala Harris officially secures the Democratic Party's nomination, she will face Republican Donald Trump in the US Presidential election on November 5.
- Coronavirus forced Joe Biden into self-isolation at his private residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, causing uncertainty about his schedule and health status.
- Key party figures, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and potential contenders like Governors Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro, publicly support Harris' candidacy.
- Kamala Harris expressed gratitude for the support she's received, particularly emphasizing the help from delegates in her home state of California, which Pelosi played a significant role in securing.
- Harris' campaign team reported a record-breaking $81 million in donations within 24 hours, further boosting her financial standing for the upcoming US election campaign.
- The Republicans, led by J.D. Vance, have launched verbal attacks against Harris, labeling her "a million times worse than Biden" and portraying elitist Democratic conspiracies.
- The success of Harris' campaign and her ability to prevent Republican control of the U.S. Congress are essential for many Democrats, as the fall election will see all House of Representatives and a majority of Senate seats contested.
- The support from top Democrats, like Pelosi, and significant financial backing should strengthen Harris' position in the upcoming US elections, especially against Trump's aggressive campaign tactics.
- In the US Congress, Democratic and Republican leaders are trying to find a compromise to prevent a government shutdown while maintaining spending on COVID-19 relief and other critical programs.
- The strengthening US Dollar in 2022 and increased interest rates from the Federal Reserve are likely to affect foreign investments in American stocks and bonds, potentially impacting the US economy and the election campaign finances.
- Kamala Harris' campaign will aim to leverage the current political landscape, capitalizing on her internal support, significant financial resources, and ability to effectively challenge Trump's controversial policies.
