(WatchDogReport.org) – Prominent Democrats, such as House Minority Leader and New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Former House Speaker and California Representative Nancy Pelosi, stopped short of endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as a presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s announcement on July 21 that he was stepping down from his re-election campaign. In the days that followed, they all bent the knee to Harris.
Neither Pelosi nor Jeffries mentioned Harris by name or indicated any endorsement when they praised the outgoing president the day he stepped down. Despite reportedly being among the Democrats expressing concerns about the viability of his reelection campaign, Pelosi praised Biden’s “goodness” and “legacy of vision.” She claimed he had always put the country first. Jeffries also sought to highlight Biden’s political achievements and called him one of America’s “most accomplished” leaders.
Pelosi officially endorsed Harris the following day, stating “with immense pride” that she had full confidence in Harris’ ability to win in November. She praised Harris for working hard for reproductive rights and working families.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference to announce their endorsements for Harris as the party’s presidential nominee, only to receive a lackluster response. Schumer even asked the attending crowd for applause, only to be greeted with silence.
🙉 CRINGEWORTHY: Senator Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries attempt to rally the crowd with their endorsement of Kamala Harris for President. .
Schumer: “We are here today to throw our support behind VP Kamala Harris!”
*dead silence*
“I’m clapping! You… pic.twitter.com/lQchPaLxNw
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) July 24, 2024
Members of the progressive congressional group “the Squad,” including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, have endorsed Harris as a nominee, despite Omar having criticized the Biden administration over its position on the Gaza conflict. By July 23, Harris had secured enough support from Democratic delegates to qualify as a nominee.
A prominent figure in the Democratic Party who neglected to nominate or even mention Harris in his statement following Biden’s decision to step down was former President Barack Obama. He instead made clear that he wanted an open contest and said he trusted the party to nominate an “outstanding” candidate approaching the November vote. The former president heaped praise upon Biden and suggested he did not agree with the calls for him to bow out of his reelection campaign.
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