Democratic donors start mobilizing to raise money for Harris in case Biden drops out - Politico
Kyiv • UNN
Kamala Harris's supporters are reaching out to Democratic donors for financial support if Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 presidential race. Some donors are already ready to make six-figure donations to Harris' potential campaign.
Allies of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris have begun asking Democratic donors to provide her with financial support if President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race, Politico reports, according to UNN.
Details
One Democratic donor adviser has begun to solicit donations from female Democratic donors to support Harris, while a women's political organization has begun to communicate with its donor base in an effort to secure an initial wave of donations for a potential Harris campaign, according to people familiar with the effort.
These people shared information about financial maneuvers on the condition of strict anonymity due to Harris's extremely delicate political position as Biden's vice presidential candidate and tensions within the Democratic Party over Biden's future, the publication notes.
"What is important is that there is an immediate massive show of support for her, which sends a message that we are all behind her," said a leader of a women's political organization who wished to remain anonymous to speak about the Democratic Party's delicate plans.
The organization has begun preparing emails and messages. Those focused on supporting female candidates have already started planning to help Harris with a quick show of force by preparing donor lists, the person added. Some donors have already actively indicated that they want to give money, the person said.
Donors are "lining up to support" Harris "as soon as she becomes a potential candidate," the source added. - "We certainly know we're hearing from all of our donors that they want to support her.
At the same time, the source clarified that it is too early to make full commitments.
The donor adviser, however, said that five donors have already committed to potentially making six-figure donations to the Harris-led Democratic ticket. But the effort is still in its infancy, and the status of campaign funding will be unclear if multiple women eventually run for the nomination, this person emphasized.
These efforts come amid chaos among Democratic Party officials, constant calls for Biden to resign, and dismal poll results that portend an increasingly bleak future for the US president's chances of a second term, the newspaper points out.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have reportedly privately urged Biden to reconsider his re-election bid as fears grow that Biden could cost Democrats a failed election in November.
Following the presidential debate, which raised widespread questions about the president's mental acuity, "Biden's fundraising faucet has been turned off." Some have suggested that they will not give money to a Democratic Party list with Biden at the top, the newspaper writes.
But the push to strengthen Harris's position, driven by female donors, also suggests that her position as Biden's replacement is fluid, the publication points out. In the event of an open convention, other people, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom or Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, could become contenders. Newsom, who has significant resources from California, is an influential fundraiser and emissary of the party, while Pritzker is a multibillionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel, the newspaper notes.
