President Joe Biden recently bowed out of the race for the 2024 presidency. This marks an abrupt end to his plans for re-election, primarily influenced by an ill-fated debate with Donald Trump. The unfortunate turn of events exposed considerable question marks over his capacity to hold the coveted office just four months away from the election date.
Vice President Kamala Harris now finds herself in the hot seat, overnight becoming the anticipated Democratic presidential nominee. She is now her party’s best hope of providing a suitable contender to the strong leadership projected by Trump. However, given her track record, it remains to be seen whether she is capable of providing effective opposition.
There have been several unprecedented security breaches at a rally against former President Trump. At the event, a 20-year-old armed individual dangerously gained proximity to the Republican presidential nominee. This alarming incident served only to cast a looming shadow over the inept security arrangements, fueling demands for the Secret Service director to step down.
The House Oversight Committee hearing marks the first time Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will face lawmakers since the unexpected incident at the Pennsylvania rally took place on July 13. The grievous event not just resulted in loss of life but has also led to widespread dissatisfaction over how the armed individual was able to come alarmingly close to Trump.
When Biden decided to step down, his Vice-President Kamala Harris had in-depth discussions with him. Harris, ensconced at the Naval Observatory in Washington, donned a modest Howard University sweatshirt and casual attire as she engaged in extensive political consultations. The ensuing day was a busy one for her as she reached out to multiple party leaders and stakeholders.
Harris spent an entire day reassuring a host of party leaders, congress members, governors, civil rights and advocacy leaders, among others, via phone calls. Although Biden endorsed her candidature, she conveyed that she planned to secure the Democratic presidential nomination on her own merit. This implies a profound reflection of her confidence, one that remains to be tested however.
Despite Harris’s academic and career accomplishments, it is her humane qualities that have drawn praise from some. Andy Beshear, for instance, praised her empathy and kindness, which, he claimed, could help her become a ‘great’ president. Interestingly, Beshear seemed willing to support her despite his own achievements as the governor of a staunchly Republican state.
Even though Beshear lauded her capabilities, he dismissed the idea of joining the ticket. Instead, he declared his love for his current role and stated he’d only consider a change if it meant bringing more prosperity to his people and country. Clearly, his intent is to support Harris, but not at the expense of his current role.
Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, individually praised Biden’s decision to withdraw. He affirmed that it required remarkable courage for Biden to admit that he may be too old and potentially unfit for office. But the importance lies not in him stepping down, but who his successor could be.
In an interesting move, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York has declared her support towards Harris, calling her an ‘unwavering advocate’ for justice, workers, and families. Although Gillibrand contested against Harris in the previous Democratic primary, she appears to believe in Harris’s competence to not only lead but also unite the party.
The Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue announced that it has collected an impressive amount of $46.7 million through small-dollar donations for the Harris campaign. While these figures may seem substantial, Trump continues to maintain the upper hand financially making the contest more challenging for her.
Trump’s campaign, laden with a series of attacks against Biden and his policies, stands prepared for Harris as she has been declared the Democratic nominee. Right from the moment Biden declared his withdrawal from the race, Trump’s campaign unleashed a barrage of attacks on Harris, signaling a daunting journey for her up to the election day.
The shakeup so close to Election Day poses new obstacles for Trump’s team, who until now, has been focused exclusively on contrasting Trump’s strong leadership and mental prowess against Biden’s. Simultaneously, the Democratic state delegations have thrown their support behind Harris as their preferred nomination for the national convention, ramping up the political pressure.
Showing her growing support within the party, Harris received her initial delegates from Tennessee, followed by New Hampshire, where the delegates unanimously endorsed her. However, securing the support of party delegates is only one part of the battle. The real test will be engaging with the wider electorate, especially given Trump’s strong equity.
In a crucial display of unity, the country’s six Black state attorneys general have rallied behind Harris. In a statement, they highlighted her staunch defense for voting rights, deeming her ‘most qualified’ to uphold the values of the nation. Nevertheless, intraparty endorsements are not reflective of the mass public opinion at large.
Following Biden’s announcement, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison stated there would be no automatic ascension for his successor. Despite Kamala being the obvious frontrunner, supported by Biden and many Democrats, Harrison indicated the party is yet to reveal the next steps and the stakeholder’s political maneuvering in the upcoming days will be crucial.