Aug
Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her political home base of San Francisco, tapping into a network of influential donors after completing a high-profile swing-state tour that introduced her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The Sunday afternoon fundraiser, held in the heart of the Bay Area. Brought together a powerful assembly of California’s most prominent Democrats. According to Harris’s team, the event raised over $12 million for her campaign.
The event featured an impressive guest list, including billionaire investor Tom Steyer, San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, and Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg. Also in attendance were former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Both have been pivotal figures in Democratic politics for years.
Harris’s Surge in the Race
Harris’s recent ascent to the Democratic presidential candidate has reinvigorated the party’s ticket after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid in July. This strategic shift has allowed Harris to outpace Republican nominee Donald Trump in fundraising efforts. As a result, she has been able to close the polling gap that previously favored Trump.
During the fundraiser, Harris addressed the enthusiastic crowd, expressing confidence in her campaign’s trajectory. “I’ll start with this: We will win this election,” she declared, reinforcing her determination. “And we cannot afford to waste a single day.” Harris, who has often framed herself as an underdog, now leads a campaign energized by new momentum and robust financial backing.
The Financial Race Intensifies
Harris’s stop in San Francisco was a strategic move to engage some of the Bay Area’s wealthiest Democratic contributors. Within 24 hours of announcing Walz as her running mate, Harris’s campaign raised an impressive $36 million, and she went on to amass $310 million throughout July. These figures underscore her ability to galvanize financial support at critical moments in the campaign.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign, while still formidable, has faced stiff competition in the fundraising arena. Trump announced via his social media platform that his campaign had raised $28 million during a recent trip to Montana and Wyoming, where he held a rally and attended fundraising events. At a rally in Bozeman, Montana, Trump pushed back against the “weird” label used by Walz to describe him. He also addressed similar remarks about his running mate, JD Vance. He also tested new barbs against his opponents.
Kamala Harris Border Strategy: Progress or Illusion?
In a recent op-ed titled “Kamala Harris Made Progress on the Border Crisis,” Katie Tobin lauds Vice President Kamala Harris “root causes” strategy for addressing migration challenges.
Pelosi Rallies Support for “The Freedom Ticket”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a key Democratic power broker with over a quarter-century of experience representing California in Congress. Delivered an impassioned introductory speech at the fundraiser. She praised Harris and Walz, dubbing them the “freedom ticket,” a clear attempt to position them as champions of progressive values in contrast to the Republican platform.
“We must have a message that is bold and progressive, yet not threatening,” Pelosi urged the audience. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong, well-funded campaign to secure victory in November.
Critical Campaign Stretch Begins
Harris and Walz kicked off a critical phase of the campaign last Tuesday with a rally in Philadelphia. At the event, they officially launched their partnership. The campaign trail then took them through key battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. These states are all expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming election.
Recent polling data from The New York Times and Siena College, conducted between August 5-9, showed Harris leading Trump with 50% support among likely voters in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Trump garnered 46% support in each of these states. These numbers reflect the competitive nature of the race as it heads into its final months, with both candidates vying for every vote in crucial swing states.
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