It’s a record-breaking introduction to the race. The campaign for Kamala Harris said it raised $81 million dollars in the first 24 hours since President Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed his vice president.
“Obviously it starts with President Biden endorsing her and it’s great to have George Clooney and Beyonce. I’m even more struck at the grassroots,” said Paul Begala, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton.
Much of the money raised this week comes from grassroots online donations made to the Democratic political action committee ActBlue. Harris has also seen her share of support from big donors.
But not all Democratic heavyweights are lining up behind her. Though Harris has, in theory, secured enough delegate support to win the nomination, some of the Democratic Party’s deep pockets are worried it is giving off coronation vibes.
Meanwhile, Biden megadonor John Morgan told Fox News he’s not willing to pony up for a candidate he doesn’t think will win.
“I said, you know, I’m just going to take my money and go home. And guess what, they’re going to raise plenty of money without me. They’re not going to need me one bit. But for me, it was a bridge too far,” Morgan said.
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is another hesitant donor who, two days ago, said Democratic delegates need to pick a swing state winner. Less than 36 hours later, he conceded that Harris is the choice. Hastings had also recently withheld funds from Biden, believing he needed to step down.
Mike Bloomberg said on X, “There are still four weeks before the party’s more than 4,000 delegates convene in Chicago. That is more than enough time for the party to take the pulse of voters, especially in battleground states, to determine who is best positioned to win in November and lead the country over the next four years.”
He warned that the decision is “too important to rush, because the election is too important to lose.”
Venture capitalist and Democratic donor Vinod Khosla said on X, “An open process will allow everyone a chance to make their case and express their views. Coronations are bad for democracy.”
So far, no one has come out to challenge Harris and her path to nomination looks clear as delegates pledge their support.
