WASHINGTON, USA: Following President Joe Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, many Democrats have quickly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee to challenge Donald Trump. However, some influential party members, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have remained silent.
With just over 100 days until the November election, Harris’s ability to unify the party is crucial. Biden, 81, endorsed Harris in a statement following his initial resignation announcement. This endorsement was echoed by the Congressional Black Caucus, key donors, and various Democratic lawmakers and super PACs.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden stated on social media. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
High-profile endorsements also came from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Dmitri Mehlhorn, adviser to LinkedIn founder and major Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, praised Harris as “the American dream personified,” noting her immigrant heritage and career achievements.
Despite this surge of support, figures like Pelosi and former President Barack Obama have yet to endorse Harris or any other candidate. Obama emphasized the need for a robust nomination process to ensure the best candidate emerges, while Pelosi simply thanked Biden for his patriotism.
Senator Peter Welch, the first Democratic senator to urge Biden to step down, called for an open nomination process, stressing the importance of selecting a candidate who can uphold Biden’s legacy and defeat Trump.
There are also discussions about potential vice-presidential picks for Harris. One Democratic donor suggested Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a strategic choice to secure votes in Pennsylvania. However, Shapiro has not endorsed Harris, expressing only gratitude for Biden’s leadership.
As the Democratic Party navigates these uncharted waters, the coming days will be critical in solidifying support and ensuring a unified front to challenge Trump in the upcoming election.
