US Vice President Kamala Harris assured major Democratic donors on Friday that the party would triumph in the upcoming presidential election, amid increasing calls for President Joe Biden to step aside. This call aimed to address donor concerns as some lawmakers pressured Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race.
“We are going to win this election,” Harris emphasised during the call, which was organised on short notice to calm the donors, according to an individual on the call.”We know which candidate in this election puts the American people first: Our president, Joe Biden.”
The call followed President Biden’s firm commitment to run in the 2024 race and the Democratic Party‘s intention to fast-track his nomination. However, at least nine Democratic lawmakers urged Biden to drop out on the same day.
Several of Biden’s campaign fundraisers were reportedly put on hold, according to multiple Democratic sources involved in the events. Donors had threatened to withhold funds from the campaign, causing concern.
An invitation seen by Reuters indicated that donors were urged to join a 30-minute briefing “to discuss urgent, emerging needs.”
Harris participated in the call “at the direct request of senior advisers to the president,” as stated by one individual involved, and this account was confirmed by another person familiar with the situation.