Vice President Kamala Harris gains more support as potential Biden replacement against Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris has been receiving increasing support from Democratic lawmakers as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential race against former President Donald Trump.
The latest endorsement comes from California Rep. Mark Takano, who has publicly called on Biden to exit the race and pass the torch to Harris.
Takano becomes 36th Democrat to endorse Harris
On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano became the thirty-sixth Democrat to openly support Vice President Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee if President Biden decides to withdraw from the race.
Takano highlighted Biden’s achievement in “saving democracy in 2020” but emphasized the need for a new leader to meet the demands of the current political climate.
President Biden’s greatest accomplishment remains saving democracy in 2020. He can and must do so again in 2024 — by passing the torch to Vice President Harris as the Democratic Party Presidential nominee.
He believes Harris is best positioned to transition into the role of the party’s standard-bearer.
Elizabeth Warren expresses support for Harris
Senator Elizabeth Warren has also shown her support for Harris, stating that she is ready to unite the party if President Biden steps down. However, Warren has not officially called for Biden to leave the race. Warren said during an interview on MSNBC’s The Weekend:
Joe Biden is our nominee. He has a very big decision to make, but we are very lucky to have Vice President Kamala Harris. Eighty million people voted for her to step up if she is needed.
She added that having a prosecutor like Harris could be advantageous in a race against Trump.
Democratic Party faces internal rifts over Biden’s candidacy
President Biden’s campaign has faced mounting pressure since a debate flub against Trump on June 27, which has intensified concerns about his age and ability to win in November.
Despite his commitment to remain in the race, there are growing calls from within the party for Biden to step down. However, the Biden campaign remains defiant, insisting that he will continue his campaign once he recovers from Covid-19.
“As soon as we have the green light, we are going to be back out on the stump,” Biden campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler assured reporters.
Tyler mentioned that Biden is expected to resume campaigning “in earnest” next week after completing his sixth round of Paxlovid treatment.
Harris steps up campaign efforts amid Biden’s recovery
In the meantime, Vice President Harris has been actively promoting the campaign’s message. On Saturday, she delivered remarks at a campaign fundraiser in Massachusetts and joined a call with Democratic donors to express her unwavering support for Biden.
“We know which candidate in this election puts the American people first: our President, Joe Biden,” Harris asserted.
“We are going to win this election. We are going to win.”
Prominent Democrats remain neutral on Biden’s decision
While some Democrats are pushing for a change in the nominee, notable figures like former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have remained neutral, supporting whichever decision President Biden makes regarding his candidacy.
The Clintons have maintained donor support for Biden and offered assistance to the White House as needed.
The internal divisions within the Democratic Party regarding President Biden’s candidacy highlight a significant moment in contemporary US politics.
The increasing support for Vice President Kamala Harris from lawmakers like Rep. Mark Takano reflects a growing sentiment that the party may need a new leader to face the unique challenges of the upcoming election.
The endorsements Harris is receiving underscore her perceived readiness to take on the role of the party’s standard-bearer.
Takano’s statement that Harris can “seamlessly transition” into the presidential role points to a belief that she is prepared to handle the pressures and responsibilities of a national campaign.
Senator Elizabeth Warren’s comments add another layer to this narrative. While she has not explicitly called for Biden to step down, her acknowledgment of Harris’s capability and readiness indicates a broader acceptance of Harris’s potential candidacy among top Democratic figures.
Warren’s strategic positioning shows a balance between loyalty to the current president and an openness to new leadership should the need arise.
The Democratic Party’s rifts are exacerbated by President Biden’s ongoing health issues and the public’s concerns about his ability to campaign effectively. Biden’s recent Covid-19 diagnosis and subsequent isolation have only intensified these concerns.
Despite the Biden campaign’s assurances of a swift return to the campaign trail, the uncertainty surrounding his health has fueled speculation about his future in the race.
Vice President Harris’s proactive role in the campaign during Biden’s recovery period highlights her readiness to lead. Her engagement with donors and public appearances aim to reassure supporters of the campaign’s stability and continuity.
Harris’s remarks at the Massachusetts fundraiser and her assertive stance on the call with donors indicate her commitment to the campaign’s success, regardless of the ongoing speculation about Biden’s candidacy.
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