Kamala Harris' Rapid Campaign Launch Upends 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris has swiftly secured the Democratic presidential nomination following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race. Within 36 hours, Harris orchestrated a series of strategic moves that effectively locked up the nomination.

***_{Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff descend from Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on July 22, 2024. Erin Schaff/Pool/Reuters}***

Harris initiated her campaign with a marathon of phone calls to approximately 100 key Democratic figures, including former presidents, governors, and congressional leaders.
Despite having Biden’s endorsement, Harris was determined to earn the nomination through her efforts, emphasizing her capability and readiness to lead. This proactive approach rapidly gathered public support from significant figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which cemented her status as the leading candidate.

In her first address as the presumptive nominee at campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris previewed her strategy against former President Donald Trump. She highlighted her prosecutorial background, stating she had experience dealing with “predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game.”

Harris’s first campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state, drew a reported crowd of over 3,500 attendees. She focused on economic issues, pledging to make “building up the middle class” a defining goal of her presidency. Harris also criticized what she termed Trump’s “extreme Project 2025 agenda,” despite Trump’s disavowal of the Heritage Foundation-backed policy plan.

The transition from Biden to Harris, though rapid, underscores a strategic consolidation within the Democratic Party, aiming to present a united front against Trump. However, the speed of this nomination process may prompt concerns about inclusivity and the broader democratic process within the party.

As the campaign progresses, Harris faces the critical tasks of unifying the party and expanding her appeal to a diverse electorate, all while maintaining the momentum of her campaign launch and effectively countering Trump’s campaign strategy. Her ability to articulate a compelling vision and respond effectively to the electorate’s concerns will be pivotal in her quest for the presidency.

Re-reported from the article originally published in CNN.