Introducing a new candidate less than 100 days before the election may be “less than ideal” for Democrats, but they seem optimistic that replacing 81-year-old Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris will excite their base.
Harris is the front-runner for the nomination after Biden’s momentous withdrawal, having secured the backing of the president himself and most prominent Democrats.
But concerns remain about whether the vice president, who still trails Trump in recent polls, is prepared for the uphill race Biden left her by resisting weeks of calls to step aside.
“I can’t back off. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but we are where we are,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., told DailyMail.com of Harris’ 100-day deadline.
Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, but with nearly 100 days until the election, some lawmakers are skeptical about whether she can win over voters so quickly.
With the Biden-Harris campaign structure and money already behind her, Harris is better suited than any of the other names being tossed around to replace Biden at the top of the ticket.
“She’s been vice president for three and a half years. I think she can take over and run, and she has a team. In the Biden campaign, she assumes it’s not like she’s starting from scratch. That’s what makes her different from everyone else, right?” he continued.
Harris raised $81 million in the 24 hours after Biden dropped out and endorsed her to replace him.
“That really shows that there was a big gap in enthusiasm between Democrats and Republicans,” Moskowitz said.
Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., a friend of Biden’s, said Harris would appeal to young and Black voters, after Biden was losing support among young and Black voters.
“We need to get young people excited. It’s clearly attracting the African-American community,” he said.
“The people of Flint, my hometown, the enthusiasm for Harris there, the level of enthusiasm we’re seeing — this is not hyperbole, this sounds like a Joe Biden comment — but hundreds of new volunteers coming into our headquarters across the state of Michigan, people who are suddenly really excited,” Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., said of what he’d seen in the day since Biden dropped out of the race.
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to her campaign headquarters in Delaware on Monday
The campaign headquarters was previously owned by Joe Biden, but has since been repurposed for Harris.
“I love Joe Biden, but I think it’s a fact that we were having a hard time engaging our base. We’ve solved that problem.”
Kildee seemed unfazed by the short timeframe under which Harris was operating.
“The fact is we know Kamala Harris, so it’s not like she has to show up,” he told DailyMail.com. “The decision on the outcome of the election is usually made in the last 60 to 90 days. So we’re at the point where people are making the decision.”
Kildee seemed to hope that Harris would take a more sympathetic tone toward Gaza than Biden.
“I have some differences with the administration regarding the way the United States has dealt with Israel’s continuation of the war,” he said. “But I think there is a possibility that this is an opportunity for us to turn the page on a number of issues that included one.”
Ted Lieu, a California Democrat and vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said: “I think the base is very motivated. I think you’re seeing energy across the Democratic Party, both at the grassroots and among rank-and-file members, and it’s very exciting to see.”
“If young people vote, we will win,” he added.
He told DailyMail.com that Harris will win because she “can easily take over her campaign because she’s been a part of it.”
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., said Harris is “readily” able to support Biden’s campaign.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., told DailyMail.com he believes Harris will win and that the timing of her campaign is “appropriate.”
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said there is no concern about timing because the party is confident Kamala will win.
“I think Kamala is going to win,” Garcia said. “So I think the timing is right.”
His confidence comes from the fact that Trump heads the Republican ticket and, according to him, is a “horrible” candidate who voters are sure to reject.
“I think the Republicans are struggling, they have no idea what they’re going to do and they have a horrible, damaged candidate.”
Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, also dismissed concerns about Harris’s fast-paced campaign by pointing to her tenure as vice president.
“The vice president has been part of every major legislative accomplishment that has been achieved over the last three and a half years,” he said. “She has been leading and governing.”
“There is a clear choice and I am thrilled that President Biden, given his 50 years of service, continues to put the interest of the country ahead of himself, and has passed the baton to the future of our party, the next generation of leadership in our Vice President Kamala Harris,” he continued.
Another member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., told DailyMail.com that Harris is actually ahead of the game because she has already been part of a presidential campaign.
President Joe Biden walks down a hallway with U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., during a stop at a grocery store in Las Vegas last week. Horsford told DailyMail.com he’s excited Biden has “passed the torch” to Harris
‘Ms. Harris took the time to call members to work with delegates. She has already campaigned in all 50 states. 14 million people voted for the Biden-Harris ticket.’
He also highlighted its record-breaking $81 million in fundraising as an “impressive” indication of its popularity.
“She’s well prepared. She’s been behind the scenes. It’s a natural evolution,” he continued. “I’m excited for her.”