Call With Harris Struggles to Reassure Major Democratic Donors
On a call, Vice President Kamala Harris told about 300 donors that there was little to worry about. Several listeners said they found the call to have little value.
Biden Campaign Live Updates - July 19, 2024, 5:50 PM ET
Current Challenges for the Biden Campaign
*Questions around Biden's viability loom large.*
Key Questions:
- Can Biden be replaced?
- Who are the potential replacements?
- Reactions from Democratic leaders.
LIVE UPDATES
Stay tuned for more developments related to this story as it unfolds.
Harris Fails to Comfort Key Democratic Donors
During a call with approximately 300 major donors, Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to alleviate concerns regarding President Biden's campaign, but many attendees found her remarks lacking substance.
*As Biden faces increasing pressure from within the party to withdraw from re-election, Harris's address may not have resonated as intended.*
Reported by Theodore Schleifer and Lisa Lerer
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On the call, which was facilitated by Impactual—an influential advisory firm for Democratic donors—Harris asserted that the campaign needed no alarm, but several donors described her message as condescending and dismissive of their valid concerns.
In her remarks, Harris struck a delicate balance, expressing her loyalty to the president while simultaneously preparing to lead the ticket if necessary. "I want to share something important with all of you: we are going to win this election," she reportedly said.
Throughout her short address, Harris focused primarily on criticizing former President Donald Trump, referencing his recent convention speech and the radical policy intentions of his allies. However, she was criticized for her brief comment on Biden and lack of engagement with donor questions.
After the call, some advocates, like Somos Votantes, expressed worry that the ongoing chatter about Biden’s viability could harm the party's position at the grassroots level. They highlighted a disconnect between elite perceptions and voter sentiments regarding key issues like the economy.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of Harris's outreach faced scrutiny, with some attendees labeling the meeting as unproductive and lacking new insights.
*Explore more updates and analysis on the dynamics of the upcoming presidential election.*
Current Challenges for the Biden Campaign
*Questions around Biden's viability loom large.*
Key Questions:
- Can Biden be replaced?
- Who are the potential replacements?
- Reactions from Democratic leaders.
LIVE UPDATES
Stay tuned for more developments related to this story as it unfolds.
Harris Fails to Comfort Key Democratic Donors
During a call with approximately 300 major donors, Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to alleviate concerns regarding President Biden's campaign, but many attendees found her remarks lacking substance.
*As Biden faces increasing pressure from within the party to withdraw from re-election, Harris's address may not have resonated as intended.*
Reported by Theodore Schleifer and Lisa Lerer
---
On the call, which was facilitated by Impactual—an influential advisory firm for Democratic donors—Harris asserted that the campaign needed no alarm, but several donors described her message as condescending and dismissive of their valid concerns.
In her remarks, Harris struck a delicate balance, expressing her loyalty to the president while simultaneously preparing to lead the ticket if necessary. "I want to share something important with all of you: we are going to win this election," she reportedly said.
Throughout her short address, Harris focused primarily on criticizing former President Donald Trump, referencing his recent convention speech and the radical policy intentions of his allies. However, she was criticized for her brief comment on Biden and lack of engagement with donor questions.
After the call, some advocates, like Somos Votantes, expressed worry that the ongoing chatter about Biden’s viability could harm the party's position at the grassroots level. They highlighted a disconnect between elite perceptions and voter sentiments regarding key issues like the economy.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of Harris's outreach faced scrutiny, with some attendees labeling the meeting as unproductive and lacking new insights.
*Explore more updates and analysis on the dynamics of the upcoming presidential election.*