Harris seeks to reassure anxious donors
The vice president did not comment on Biden's campaign decision.
TroibNews 
Vice President Kamala Harris aimed to calm the nerves of several hundred anxious Democratic donors on Friday, some of whom have paused their contributions following President Joe Biden’s poor debate showing. She assured them that she and the president were determined to “win this election.”
“In just the past seven days, as you have heard, I’ve traveled to Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina, and I am out here in these streets,” Harris stated during a phone call with donors, according to an audio recording obtained by POLITICO. “I am seeing that the American people are coming to understand the enormous consequence of this election and the stakes of this election. Many of us have been involved with these elections every four years, and nearly every time we say, this is the one. Well, this here is the one.”
Over the course of nearly five minutes, Harris refrained from addressing the increasing demands from congressional Democrats that Biden exit the race. Instead, she expressed gratitude to the donors for their ongoing support. With contributions to Biden’s campaign dwindling post-debate, the underlying plea for continuing donations was clear.
“You sacrifice many other priorities that you have and responsibilities you have to give to our country through these cycles and through this election in particular,” the vice president acknowledged.
Harris concluded her remarks and did not take questions from the donors, a move that frustrated some participants, according to an individual on the call who spoke anonymously about the private gathering.
Prior to Harris's speech, representatives from grassroots organizations Black Voters Matter and Somos Votantes discussed their initiatives in key battleground states. They urged the donors to resume their financial support, arguing that internal party conflict over Biden’s debate performance was harming voter outreach efforts.
A campaign aide mentioned that the call was intended as a message from organizations representing voters of color to the broader party, urging them to cease the infighting and focus on the importance of the election.
However, the call occurred shortly after nearly a dozen more Democratic lawmakers added their voices to the growing chorus calling for Biden to step aside. Additionally, there is increasing speculation within the party about Harris potentially leading the ticket if Biden were to withdraw.
On Friday, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) published an op-ed calling on Biden "to pass the torch to a new generation.” Four other Democrats, including members from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued a joint statement urging Biden to step down.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) also joined the call for Biden to pass the torch, marking the third senator to do so and arguing it would improve Democratic chances in November.
In her address, Harris also criticized the recent Republican convention and former President Donald Trump’s speech, challenging the party's claims of unity.
“So much for unity. Throughout their convention, they have been trying to act like they want to bring this country together,” Harris remarked. “If you claim to stand for unity, you need to do more than just use the word. You cannot claim you stand for unity if you're pushing an agenda that deprives all groups of Americans of basic freedoms, opportunity and dignity.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
“In just the past seven days, as you have heard, I’ve traveled to Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina, and I am out here in these streets,” Harris stated during a phone call with donors, according to an audio recording obtained by POLITICO. “I am seeing that the American people are coming to understand the enormous consequence of this election and the stakes of this election. Many of us have been involved with these elections every four years, and nearly every time we say, this is the one. Well, this here is the one.”
Over the course of nearly five minutes, Harris refrained from addressing the increasing demands from congressional Democrats that Biden exit the race. Instead, she expressed gratitude to the donors for their ongoing support. With contributions to Biden’s campaign dwindling post-debate, the underlying plea for continuing donations was clear.
“You sacrifice many other priorities that you have and responsibilities you have to give to our country through these cycles and through this election in particular,” the vice president acknowledged.
Harris concluded her remarks and did not take questions from the donors, a move that frustrated some participants, according to an individual on the call who spoke anonymously about the private gathering.
Prior to Harris's speech, representatives from grassroots organizations Black Voters Matter and Somos Votantes discussed their initiatives in key battleground states. They urged the donors to resume their financial support, arguing that internal party conflict over Biden’s debate performance was harming voter outreach efforts.
A campaign aide mentioned that the call was intended as a message from organizations representing voters of color to the broader party, urging them to cease the infighting and focus on the importance of the election.
However, the call occurred shortly after nearly a dozen more Democratic lawmakers added their voices to the growing chorus calling for Biden to step aside. Additionally, there is increasing speculation within the party about Harris potentially leading the ticket if Biden were to withdraw.
On Friday, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) published an op-ed calling on Biden "to pass the torch to a new generation.” Four other Democrats, including members from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued a joint statement urging Biden to step down.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) also joined the call for Biden to pass the torch, marking the third senator to do so and arguing it would improve Democratic chances in November.
In her address, Harris also criticized the recent Republican convention and former President Donald Trump’s speech, challenging the party's claims of unity.
“So much for unity. Throughout their convention, they have been trying to act like they want to bring this country together,” Harris remarked. “If you claim to stand for unity, you need to do more than just use the word. You cannot claim you stand for unity if you're pushing an agenda that deprives all groups of Americans of basic freedoms, opportunity and dignity.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
