US Democrats are behind Kamala Harris
Shortly after Joe Biden announced his withdrawal as the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris was considered a potential front-runner for the US Democrats.
Shortly after US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential campaign, numerous Democrats rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as a replacement candidate. The following day, Harris received support from influential politicians within the party. "I'm excited about the idea of supporting Kamala Harris' presidency campaign," Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared. Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, also pledged her support.
Whitmer was among the politicians who had been considered as potential candidates if Biden had stepped down. "Let's win," her statement read, which was also signed by the governors of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also spoke in favor of Harris.
Pelosi with "boundless confidence"
Little later, another heavyweight within the Democrats joined Harris' camp. "With great pride and boundless confidence for the future of our country, I support Kamala Harris for the presidency of the United States," the influential politician declared.
On Sunday, the 81-year-old Biden announced his withdrawal due to health reasons and pledged his "full support" for Harris in the November election against Republican Donald Trump. Harris herself stated that she wanted to "earn and win" the nomination.
At her first public appearance after Biden's withdrawal, the 59-year-old did not address her sudden rise as a potential presidential candidate. Instead, she paid tribute to Biden's legacy at the event in the White House.
Scant support in polls so far
In the polls, Harris had only received low approval ratings so far. During the early stages of her 2021 tenure as vice president, she faced difficulties in building a profile. However, during the campaign, she had already highlighted key issues such as reproductive rights alongside Biden.
Among Harris' supporters are now many influential figures within the party, including former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Approximately one-third of the Democratic senators, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and several governors, have expressed their support for Harris - including the governors of California and Pennsylvania, Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro, who had been considered as Biden alternatives.
Financially noticeable support
The broad support for Vice President Harris was already noticeable financially: Her campaign team reported that Harris had received $49.6 million (approximately €45 million) in donations since announcing her candidacy.
The Democrats are now preparing for the US presidential election three and a half months in advance, with Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison announcing a "transparent and orderly process" for the nomination.
Exact how this will unfold is still uncertain: The candidate will be nominated by the delegates of the Democratic National Convention, which takes place from August 19-22 in Chicago. The basis for their vote are essentially the results of the primaries in the US states - which Biden won handily. The delegates now face the question of whom they will alternatively decide for.
It is possible that the voting for the candidate now takes place digitally before the convention. The Democrats could thus avoid a month-long debate leading up to the convention and also prevent a potential legal issue in the crucial state of Ohio: There could be a deadline for naming the presidential candidates by August 7 in Ohio, but the legal situation regarding this is not entirely clear.
New Dynamics for the Presidential Election?
Through Biden's about-face, the Presidential Election on November 5 could take on a completely new dynamics: Instead of the unpopular rematch between Trump and Biden from 2020, an exciting Presidential campaign battle between the two seems possible.
The Republican candidate, former US President Trump, must now reorient his campaign focused on Biden's age and physical frailty. Additionally, the 78-year-old himself is now the oldest nominated Presidential candidate in US history.
After Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 US Presidential Election due to health reasons, Democratic supporters rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential replacement candidate. Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, declared her support for Harris, stating, "With great pride and boundless confidence for the future of our country, I support Kamala Harris for the presidency of the United States."
The 2024 US Presidential Election could see a shift in dynamics with Biden's withdrawal, as the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, must now adjust his campaign strategy to focus on Biden's age and physical frailty, making Harris a potential formidable opponent.
