Supporters of Kamala Harris ready her defense
The unofficial initiative, not authorized by Harris, is getting ready for the possibility that Biden might resign.
TroibNews 
Allies of Kamala Harris are quietly working behind the scenes to ensure she becomes the leading candidate if President Joe Biden decides not to run, according to five people involved or familiar with the discussions.
Though this effort hasn't been endorsed by Harris or her team, it has gained urgency as Biden’s presidential campaign seemed unstable late Thursday.
Crafting a political strategy and a comprehensive biography highlighting her achievements beyond reproductive rights to include foreign and domestic issues are critical, said those involved. The goal is to develop talking points that present a complete picture of Harris as a candidate.
This initiative acknowledges doubts within the party, including among Democratic leaders, about Harris's ability to win against former President Donald Trump. There is limited time to avoid a contested convention and secure a victory in November.
The group isn’t trying to displace Biden, but is preparing to defend Harris as the preferred presidential nominee.
“There is an effort quietly afoot to position an apparatus to turn on the lights” when the time is right, said one person directly involved, who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to discuss private and sensitive discussions.
This effort, directed at Democratic party leaders, includes former Harris staffers, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, civil rights leaders, and long-time allies of the vice president.
“Two or three days ago, people were quiet. And now, as of yesterday especially, people were like, ‘We need to be ready,’” the former Biden aide said. "They are young in their infancy, but they have grown stronger by the hour.”
At a dinner this week of CBC members and civil rights leaders, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) vigorously defended Biden but stated that if Biden steps down, Harris should replace him. Clyburn implied they’d need to support Harris if Biden exits the race.
Clyburn argued that open conventions are chaotic and could cost the party the election. Two sources who spoke to POLITICO said leaders around the table concurred.
A spokesperson for Clyburn wouldn’t confirm his remarks but referenced earlier comments where he said Harris “absolutely” had his endorsement if she led the ticket.
An urgent need exists for this ad hoc effort: Harris lacks a robust political operation. As a former senior Biden administration aide who is aware of the conversations but not involved in the planning noted, “There’s not a ‘Run, Kamala, Run’ group waiting in the wings. There are a lot of people who are very supportive of her but she doesn’t have an outside apparatus.”
In the last three weeks, as discussions about Biden’s political future have intensified, allies of Harris and Biden have been unsettled by Democrats openly considering bypassing her or making her compete for the nomination, multiple sources said.
David Plouffe, President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, told MSNBC that Harris would be “smart to say, ‘Hey, I want to earn this.’ She is in the absolute driver’s seat.”
Still, he added, “in almost any scenario she is going to be the Democratic nominee. Maybe it’s a baton handoff, maybe it’s open.”
Much depends on Biden's actions. If he drops out and either calls for an open convention or remains neutral, Harris would face greater challenges, needing to compete against other ambitious candidates.
One person involved in the effort outlined a plan to emphasize Harris's qualifications, especially her policy expertise, through a coordinated media campaign. “Step two involves an organized effort to make the case to yes, the American people, but also to make the case to a convention, it needs to be her” for the same reasons.
The discussions have been kept private to avoid damaging Harris’s relationship with Biden or his inner circle, who might misinterpret her involvement.
Harris is currently at a disadvantage due to her loyalty to Biden. Unlike other potential contenders, she and her team can't be seen as acting against him.
“She is a sitting duck. She can’t have any delegate conversations or anything,” said one of the people involved in the planning. Other possible contenders “are getting free rein, getting to take out the president while simultaneously pushing for their own candidate. They are taking advantage of her loyalty.”
Harris’s allies view her silence as the best strategy. She has been one of Biden’s most vocal defenders and has instructed her team to remain quiet, avoid planning, and not engage with the press.
The effort to position Harris as the leading candidate will need to navigate various party factions, each with its own preferred candidate.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Though this effort hasn't been endorsed by Harris or her team, it has gained urgency as Biden’s presidential campaign seemed unstable late Thursday.
Crafting a political strategy and a comprehensive biography highlighting her achievements beyond reproductive rights to include foreign and domestic issues are critical, said those involved. The goal is to develop talking points that present a complete picture of Harris as a candidate.
This initiative acknowledges doubts within the party, including among Democratic leaders, about Harris's ability to win against former President Donald Trump. There is limited time to avoid a contested convention and secure a victory in November.
The group isn’t trying to displace Biden, but is preparing to defend Harris as the preferred presidential nominee.
“There is an effort quietly afoot to position an apparatus to turn on the lights” when the time is right, said one person directly involved, who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to discuss private and sensitive discussions.
This effort, directed at Democratic party leaders, includes former Harris staffers, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, civil rights leaders, and long-time allies of the vice president.
“Two or three days ago, people were quiet. And now, as of yesterday especially, people were like, ‘We need to be ready,’” the former Biden aide said. "They are young in their infancy, but they have grown stronger by the hour.”
At a dinner this week of CBC members and civil rights leaders, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) vigorously defended Biden but stated that if Biden steps down, Harris should replace him. Clyburn implied they’d need to support Harris if Biden exits the race.
Clyburn argued that open conventions are chaotic and could cost the party the election. Two sources who spoke to POLITICO said leaders around the table concurred.
A spokesperson for Clyburn wouldn’t confirm his remarks but referenced earlier comments where he said Harris “absolutely” had his endorsement if she led the ticket.
An urgent need exists for this ad hoc effort: Harris lacks a robust political operation. As a former senior Biden administration aide who is aware of the conversations but not involved in the planning noted, “There’s not a ‘Run, Kamala, Run’ group waiting in the wings. There are a lot of people who are very supportive of her but she doesn’t have an outside apparatus.”
In the last three weeks, as discussions about Biden’s political future have intensified, allies of Harris and Biden have been unsettled by Democrats openly considering bypassing her or making her compete for the nomination, multiple sources said.
David Plouffe, President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, told MSNBC that Harris would be “smart to say, ‘Hey, I want to earn this.’ She is in the absolute driver’s seat.”
Still, he added, “in almost any scenario she is going to be the Democratic nominee. Maybe it’s a baton handoff, maybe it’s open.”
Much depends on Biden's actions. If he drops out and either calls for an open convention or remains neutral, Harris would face greater challenges, needing to compete against other ambitious candidates.
One person involved in the effort outlined a plan to emphasize Harris's qualifications, especially her policy expertise, through a coordinated media campaign. “Step two involves an organized effort to make the case to yes, the American people, but also to make the case to a convention, it needs to be her” for the same reasons.
The discussions have been kept private to avoid damaging Harris’s relationship with Biden or his inner circle, who might misinterpret her involvement.
Harris is currently at a disadvantage due to her loyalty to Biden. Unlike other potential contenders, she and her team can't be seen as acting against him.
“She is a sitting duck. She can’t have any delegate conversations or anything,” said one of the people involved in the planning. Other possible contenders “are getting free rein, getting to take out the president while simultaneously pushing for their own candidate. They are taking advantage of her loyalty.”
Harris’s allies view her silence as the best strategy. She has been one of Biden’s most vocal defenders and has instructed her team to remain quiet, avoid planning, and not engage with the press.
The effort to position Harris as the leading candidate will need to navigate various party factions, each with its own preferred candidate.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
