In an electrifying turn of events that could only be described as a political thriller, President Joe Biden decided to step out of the race for the 2024 election, leaving the field wide open and brimming with anticipation. He did this under monumental pressure from several heavyweights in the Democratic camp, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and over 30 House lawmakers. Imagine a political heavyweight tapping out just a few months before the ultimate showdown on November 5—now that’s a plot twist even Hollywood couldn’t script!
Biden, at 81 years of age, had been grappling with growing calls to step aside, especially after a rather lukewarm debate performance against former President Donald Trump. It seems the whispers about his age and mental fitness just got too loud to ignore. But in true Biden fashion, he didn’t just bow out; he handed the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, instantly making her the party’s new darling.
Latest Headlines: Major Money Moves
Harris Raises About $50 Million After Biden Endorsement, Campaign Says
Talk about a windfall! Just hours after Biden’s endorsement, Kamala Harris managed to rake in a staggering $49.6 million in grassroots donations. That’s almost $50 million, folks! It’s as if someone hit the jackpot on a political slot machine! It looks like the Biden blessing turned Harris into a fundraising juggernaut.
Win With Black Women Raises $1.5 Million for Harris
In an inspiring show of sisterhood and solidarity, more than 45,000 people dialed into a Zoom call organized by Win With Black Women to back Kamala Harris. This wasn’t just any Zoom meeting with questionable Wi-Fi and awkward silences. No, this was a money-raising bonanza that netted over $1.5 million in about 100 minutes.
The call was led by Jotaka Eaddy, the energetic founder of Win With Black Women, and featured a star-studded lineup including lawyer Star Jones, Rep. Joyce Beatty, and National Council of Negro Women President Shavon Arline-Bradley. It was essentially a who’s who of powerful women all rallying behind Harris. Even actor Jenifer Lewis and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority President Danette Anthony Reed chimed in to pump up the crowd. Yeah, it was that epic.
People were so hyped that, well past 1 a.m., they kept trying to join the call. Zoom even had to lift its capacity limit! Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, former president of Spelman College, put it best: “Don’t you ever lose faith in Black women.” Preach, Dr. Cole!
Dialing for Dollars: Harris Called Over 100 Party Leaders after Endorsement
With the weight of Biden’s endorsement freshly minted, Harris got on her phone and didn’t get off. Imagine a day filled with over 10 hours of phone calls, all while sporting a comfy Howard University sweatshirt and workout sweats. That’s commitment!
According to insiders, she chatted with more than 100 party leaders, members of Congress, governors, and civil rights leaders. She didn’t just thank them for their support but pledged to work her tail off to earn the Democratic nomination in her own right. She even had a motivational call with her pastor, who, along with his wife, prayed over her. As for sustenance during this marathon of dialing? Salads and sandwiches for lunch, and pizza (with anchovies for Harris, because why not?) for dinner. Now that’s multitasking!
DNC Rules Committee to Meet Wednesday
Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 24, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET. The meeting will be public, and you’ll be able to catch it on the DNC’s YouTube page. Following Biden’s bombshell decision, it’s this committee’s job to set up a fair and transparent framework to select a new nominee. Stay tuned, because it looks like this process will be handled with the swiftness and efficiency of a well-oiled machine.
That’s your election update for now. To borrow a famous line: fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy (but fascinating) ride. Until next time, stay tuned and stay politically savvy!
