Kamala Harris waves to the crowd as she departs rally on Cape Cod (Reuters)
Kamala Harris was a hit yesterday as campaign funds rolled in during a stop in Massachusetts, which marked her first rally at the top of the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential ticket. CBS News reported that the event signaled Democrats are determined to coalesce around Harris after weeks of stalemate regarding President Joe Biden's re-election efforts, which were hampered by his poor debate performance against Republican challenger Donald Trump. While reports have noted that not all Democrats are thrilled about the idea of Harris leading the ticket, the enthusiastic response in Massachusetts -- plus the sounds of campaign cash clicking to the tune of an estimated $2 million during the event -- indicate those voices have been quieted for now.
CBS' Laura Haefeli sets the scene under the headline "Kamala Harris visits Provincetown, raises more than $2 million for campaign." Haefeli writes:
Vice President Kamala Harris landed at Joint Base Cape Cod Saturday before heading to Provincetown for a campaign fundraiser at the Pilgrim Monument.
Video taken by an attendee shows a packed crowd of people who paid top dollar to support the Biden-Harris campaign. Organizers say the event raised more than $2 million.
"It was a great joyous atmosphere, everybody was very, very excited to see such turnout of our elected officials supporting each other and supporting the future of the country," said Provincetown resident Tara Sandler. She is proud of her little town at the tip of Cape Cod hosting the VP and elected officials including Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
"It was really great to see the coalition of Democrats come together and support democracy," said Sandler.
Inside of the event, Harris focused on LGBTQ rights in a town that is home to many members of that community, promising protection for marriage equality and access to health care, criticizing Trump's team, claiming they're attacking those same freedoms.
"If Trump gets elected and Project 2025 happens, then we're going to be in big trouble. We have to unite as Democrats behind the vice president and the president," said Sandler
Commitment to Biden-Harris ticket
Vice President Harris doubled down on the campaign's commitment to the Biden-Harris ticket, despite questions about the party's future."People are so committed to this moment in history that I think we all feel a sense of pride trying to help move the dial," says Provincetown neighbor Scott Squillace, proud to be amongst the crowd."It was a diverse crowd too, real representative of not just P-town but our community at large," said Squillace.Vice President Harris doubled down on the campaign's commitment to the Biden-Harris ticket, despite questions about the party's future."People are so committed to this moment in history that I think we all feel a sense of pride trying to help move the dial," says Provincetown neighbor Scott Squillace, proud to be amongst the crowd. "It was a diverse crowd too, real representative of not just P-town but our community at large," said Squillace. Reassured, just one week after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, security was at an all-time high. Dozens of Secret Service agents, local and state law enforcement on hand Saturday, and the event was held inside a tent. "I felt very safe," said Squillace, And as the event wound down, the unusual sight of a motorcade through the small streets of P-town, stunned neighbors, happy to welcome the VP. "I saw the motorcade. I saw a lot of lights and they were going very fast," said Julianna, a young neighbor spending time along Commercial Street.
"Her coming here was a wonderful idea," said neighbor Frank Russo.As for President Biden, what ultimately made him decide to step aside? This is from a report at The New York Times:“I need you and Mike at the house,” President Biden said late Saturday afternoon. Mr. Biden was on the phone from his vacation home in Rehoboth, Del., with Steve Ricchetti, a counselor to the president and one of his closest advisers. He was referring to Mike Donilon, his chief strategist and longtime speechwriter. Soon, both men were in Rehoboth, socially distanced from the president, who was recovering from Covid. From that afternoon and far into the night, the three worked on one of the most important and historic letters of Mr. Biden’s presidency — the announcement of his decision to withdraw from his re-election campaign after top Democrats, donors, close allies and friends had pressured him relentlessly to get out. He would not tell most of his staff until a minute before making the historic announcement to the world on social media on Sunday. Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Mr. Biden went on to endorse, spoke to him earlier on Sunday morning, as did Jeff Zients, his chief of staff, and Jen O’Malley Dillon, his campaign chair. A handful of senior advisers at the White House heard directly from the president on a Zoom call. Others in the West Wing learned when they saw it pop on social media.
“I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down,” he wrote, “and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."