Posted July 23, 2024
By Sean Ring
The Democrats’ Dilemma
I genuinely understand the Democrats’ dilemma. After all, you pushed out your own incumbent. The person in line to replace him is a dunce. What do you do?
Credit: @CRRJA5 (Thanks to my mother for sending this over!)
Thanks to The Wall Street Journal, we’ve got a cheat sheet of who’s supporting Kamala Harris’ presidential bid and who hasn’t so far.
I’m not so surprised at who’s supporting Harris. It’s your usual mix of white progressives and brown-black incumbents.
It’s who’s not supporting Harris that has me slightly surprised.
First, the supporters.
Yea, For Harris!
According to The Journal, these are the people who’ve come forward to support Kamala Harris’ bid. None of these names should surprise anyone.
- Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
- At least four Democrats who are often mentioned as top presidential contenders—California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Widmer, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg—endorsed Harris.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who are thought to be VP contenders.
- Senate Democrats such as Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Patty Murray (D., Wash.), Mark Warner (D., Va.), Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.), Chris Murphy (D., Conn.), Tina Smith (D., Minn.), and Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.). Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio), who faces a tough re-election, also endorsed Harris, according to a spokesman.
- Nanette Barragan (D., Calif.), who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
- Katherine Clark (D., Mass.), who is the House minority whip.
- Pete Aguilar (D., Calif.), who is chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
- House progressives such as Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.), Jared Huffman (D., Calif.), Rep. Cori Bush (D., Mo.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.).
- Influential South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn.
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
- Prominent donors, including Alex and George Soros.
- Key groups, such as the Human Rights Campaign, AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, Latino Victory Fund, Priorities USA, and Emily’s List, also endorsed her.
Not So Fast, Ms. Harris!
Here are the people who’ve not pulled the lever for the Vice President.
- Former President Barack Obama
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.)
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.)
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.)
Let’s take each one of these in turn.
Former President Barack Obama
This one surprises me because I always thought Harris was Obama’s mole inside the White House. This may have been the case, but for some reason, Obama is holding his fire.
Could it be because he wants Michelle in there? Or is it simpler than that? Perhaps he just doesn’t think Kamala is up to the job.
His comment after Biden’s withdrawal said much:
We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.
First, it’s self-evident that the Democrats couldn’t organize a piss-up in a brewery. How are they going to “create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges?” Second, who, exactly, are the leaders of the party? And finally, that’s about a warming and ringing endorsement as Bill Clinton gave to Al Gore in 2000.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.)
In case you didn’t know, Nancy Pelosi’s nephew is California Governor Gavin Newsom. So it’s easy to see why she withheld her endorsement from fellow Californian Harris… except Newsom has already endorsed Harris.
Allegedly, Pelosi is so put out by Biden’s departure that she needs some time to think. She’s older than Biden, so she must be feeling the Grim Reaper breathing down her wrinkly neck. And yet, this woman didn’t immediately endorse a female candidate for President. Not particularly sporting of her.
Jeffries and Schumer don’t have familial issues. But they, along with Pelosi and Obama, were the Big Four that pushed out Biden, against the wishes of many of the currently serving Democrats.
Now they don’t want to look like they’re the “Party Elite” coronating a new queen. Harris, herself, has said of Biden’s endorsement, that she’s “honored to have the President’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.” To be sure, she’s not accepting the nomination… yet.
Angry Donors
Major Democratic donor John Morgan refuses to raise money for Kamala Harris. Honestly, I don’t blame him.
Morgan was quoted as saying, “If Trump World could pick anybody to run against, I think they pick her."
He’s correct. Harris is an intellectual amoeba. Whatever you think of Trump, he’s fantastic on his feet in debates. He’ll eat her alive.
Yesterday, Morgan posted this on X:
You have to be enthusiastic or hoping for a political appointment to be asking friends for money. I am neither.
It's others turn now.
The donors holding the 90 million can release those funds in the morning.
It's all yours.
You can keep my million. And good luck.
Wrap Up
Again, this is far from over. And Biden’s declining health is receiving much attention today. Don’t be surprised if he steps aside. Then Kamala becomes the incumbent against Trump.
But not everyone wants Kamala as the Democratic nominee. This points to uncertainty over the next few months.
Funnily enough, the markets are down on gold, but stocks are up.
And this update just came over the wires at CNBC: Harris, Democrats net $100 million in online donations after Biden exits race.
Get ready for a bumpy ride over the next few months.