WASHINGTON — Democrats quickly rallied around Vice President Kamala Harris as the likely presidential candidate Sunday after President Joe Biden decided to drop out of the 2024 race. But the rapidly evolving political landscape remains volatile just months before the November election.
Shortly after her withdrawal, Biden gave his full support to Harris, who would make history as the nation’s first Black and South Asian woman to become a major party presidential nominee. Other endorsements came from former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the first major female presidential candidate, as well as prominent U.S. senators, a broad range of House representatives and members of the influential Congressional Black Caucus.
As Democrats gear up to take on Republican Donald Trump this fall, Biden said choosing Harris as his running mate was the “best decision” he ever made. “Let’s do it,” he said.
“My intention is to win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement.
Still, the political and logistical picture ahead for Democrats remains somewhat uncertain, as the party that expected to go into November’s election portraying Trump as a quasi-authoritarian leader and a threat to American democracy must now reorganize the top of its ticket in a matter of weeks — before the party’s nominating convention begins on Aug. 19.
There appears to be a groundswell of support for Harris to lead the party — within hours, Biden’s campaign officially changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting the fact that it is inheriting its political operation — but there is notable resistance.
Former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, who are widely seen as the driving forces behind Biden’s withdrawal from the race over concerns he would not only keep the White House but also take control of Congress, have not explicitly endorsed Harris, and Pelosi favors an open primary.
Leading Democrats say Harris would benefit from holding a “mini-primary.” They argue that a quick primary campaign would show the American people, party donors and skeptics that Harris is the best candidate for the job, and give potential candidates a chance to compete — or at least debut as potential running mates.
Harris made late-day calls to lawmakers, including New Hampshire Rep. Annie Kuster, chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition, a moderate group on Capitol Hill. Kuster also endorsed Harris on Sunday.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison promised a “transparent and orderly process.”
With early voting set to take place in just months, Democrats have no time to waste if they hope to compete with an energized Republican Party that has welcomed Trump’s return. They must quickly pivot to unite a reeling Democratic Party, refocus an entire campaign apparatus around a new presidential ticket and organize the ground to turn out voters.
Trump’s team faces its own challenge, refocusing its relentless attacks on Biden’s age, 81, his stamina and ability to govern, and on a Democratic nominee who has yet to be nominated. Among the leading potential contenders, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she will not run, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he would support Harris if she becomes the nominee. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed Harris on Sunday.
But Republicans have also signaled that their first strategy is to criticize Harris, whom they accuse of being complicit in supporting Biden despite her blunders, and they are working on legal challenges to the 2024 election.
“Not only would Harris be a disaster in the White House, but she also helped Biden cover up his declining health while in office, which destroys his credibility,” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and co-chair Lara Trump said in a statement.
Even with Biden’s support for Harris, there has been active debate about her rise among Democratic heavyweights — lawmakers, deep-pocketed donors and former senior officials from the Biden, Obama and Clinton administrations, according to a Democrat with close ties to the Biden-Harris administration.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, said a mini-primary would help Harris cement her bona fides as a strong, sharp candidate and mitigate criticism that she was anointed undemocratically — something the Trump campaign has already sought to use against her.
But for many Democratic lawmakers who immediately backed Harris for the nomination, it would be untenable for the party to overlook what would be her historic candidacy.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray said she supports Harris “100 percent.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Harris “has the experience, the energy and the determination to lead our nation.” Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said he would “enthusiastically support my friend.”
Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and California Sen. Laphonza Butler have also said they will support Harris, as have a growing number of Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
Yet other Democrats have remained silent about their support for Harris or their desire for an open process.
Vermont Democratic Sen. Peter Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press that he believes the party needs to “make its decisions first and foremost about who can best represent us so that we can defeat Trump.”
Donors are stepping up. Chad Griffin, a member of the national campaign finance committee and a top Democratic fundraiser in the Los Angeles area, said the party is lucky to have Harris. “She is the proven, reliable leader we need to lead us to victory in November,” he said in a statement.
The Democratic convention in Chicago, which was supposed to be a coronation for Biden, is now becoming an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be tasked with choosing a new standard-bearer.
The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious. Biden won every state primaries and caucuses earlier this year, losing only the territory of American Samoa. At least 3,896 delegates have pledged their support.
Current party rules do not allow Biden to pass on those funds to another candidate. Politically, however, his support is likely to have a big influence.
Harris’ immediate task is to shore up the support of nearly 4,000 delegates from states, territories and the District of Columbia, as well as more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, some elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents.
__ Associated Press reporters Bill Barrow in Atlanta, and Mary Clare Jalonick, Aamer Madhani and Chris Megerian in Washington contributed to this report.
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