US Vice President Kamala Harris sought to reassure major Democratic donors on Friday, affirming confidence in the party's prospects for winning the upcoming presidential election. Her remarks were made during a hastily arranged call aimed at calming donors amidst mounting calls from lawmakers for her running mate, President Joe Biden, to step aside.
According to a person familiar with the call, Harris stated firmly, "We are going to win this election." She emphasized that President Biden, in her view, prioritizes the American people's interests above all other candidates.
The call was convened as Biden reaffirmed his commitment to continue his 2024 presidential campaign, even as some within the Democratic Party pushed for an accelerated nomination process. Reuters reported that several of Biden's campaign fundraisers were paused due to concerns from Democratic donors threatening to withhold financial support.
The briefing, which lasted about 30 minutes, was framed as an opportunity to address "urgent, emerging needs," as indicated in the invitation sent to donors, Reuters noted. Harris participated in the call at the behest of senior advisors to President Biden, underscoring the administration's efforts to shore up support amidst internal challenges.
Overall, the call and Harris's involvement reflect ongoing efforts by the Democratic leadership to navigate internal pressures and maintain focus on their electoral strategy heading into the next presidential cycle.
