Janice R. Andrews
US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has raised an astounding $200 million in its first week, demonstrating an exceptional level of interest. This astounding number demonstrates the Democrats’ overwhelming support for their new presumed nominee for 2024. Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the contest, Harris has emerged as the Democratic front-runner. She will compete against former president and Republican contender Donald Trump.
Record-Shattering Crowdfunding
In their Sunday fundraising report, the Harris campaign disclosed that, for the 2024 election cycle, 66% of the total funds raised came from individuals who had never donated before. The majority of these donations were given following Biden’s formal endorsement of Harris, which indicated a significant change in Democratic support. A broad grassroots movement is being highlighted by the campaign’s announcement that over 170,000 volunteers have volunteered to assist with phone banking, canvassing, and other crucial voter mobilization activities.
In a letter, the campaign’s director of communications, Michael Tyler, stated that Vice-President Harris was experiencing “real momentum and energy.” “This election will be very close and decided by a small number of voters in just a few states.”
Backing from Democratic Powerhouses
Important Democratic personalities have swiftly thrown their support behind Harris’ campaign. The Clintons, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi all quickly endorsed Harris. Further supporting Harris in the contest were vocal declarations of support from Michelle and former President Barack Obama.
During a Pittsfield, Massachusetts, event, Harris highlighted the increasing momentum of her campaign. Although just $400,000 was anticipated to be raised, the event raised around $1.4 million.
Republican Criticism and Opposition
Regarding politics, Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, have stepped up their attempts to portray Harris as a radical leftist who is out of touch with the majority of Americans. Speaking in Waite Park, Minnesota, Vance discounted Harris’ early fundraising success, projecting that support for her would decline as people became more aware of her background.
“Look, the people are going to learn her record,” Vance said. They will discover that she is a radical. They will discover that she is essentially a liberal from San Francisco who wishes to spread San Francisco policies over the entire nation.”
During a campaign stop in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Trump repeated his remarks, calling Harris a “crazy liberal” and accused her of being a “absolute radical” when it comes to abortion and wanting to “defund the police.”
Prior Campaign Matters
As a fervent supporter of abortion rights, Harris has stated that protecting these rights will be a major focus of her campaign. Senator Lindsey Graham said Harris as “a nice person, but she’s incredibly liberal,” implying that her views would disappoint those who were looking for a shift in the country’s course.
Senator Tom Cotton chastised Harris even further, accusing her of making questionable judgments under the Biden administration, including as the disorganized departure from Afghanistan in 2021 and the purportedly lax treatment of Iranian proxies Hamas and Hezbollah.
Angers in the Middle East
The campaign’s main focus now also centers on recent events in the Middle East. In order to ensure the release of captives, Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to establish a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Fears of a wider regional war have increased due to the intensifying confrontation, which included a missile strike from Lebanon that killed 12 children in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Using these incidents, Trump and his allies contend that the practices of the Biden-Harris administration have damaged American diplomacy abroad. During a rally, Trump attacked the way the government was managing the crisis, calling it a failure that gives enemies like Iran and Hezbollah and terrorist organizations more confidence.
Going Ahead with the Republican Strategy
Some Republicans are cautious about the effect Harris’s presence into the race has had on Democratic excitement despite these concerns. While acknowledging Harris’s present “honeymoon” phase, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire issued a warning, saying that personal assaults on her would not succeed. He asked Trump and Vance to put less emphasis on insults and more on important matters.
“Harris is in a honeymoon period that will probably last a month,” Sununu stated. “However, Trump and Vance ought to cease their disparaging remarks about Harris as they won’t influence voters. They should instead focus on the problems and avoid making fun of others.”
Both camps are stepping up their attempts to influence the crucial undecided voters in important battleground states as Election Day draws near. There are just 100 days left in the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and it already seems like one of the most intensely contested races in recent memory.
