Harris Kickstarts White House Run with $200M in a Week, 170,000 Volunteers Onboard

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris has raised $200 million since becoming the likely Democratic presidential nominee last week. Her campaign announced this significant fundraising achievement on Sunday. Around 66% of these donations came from first-time contributors following President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Harris.

Harris’ campaign has mobilized over 170,000 volunteers for phone banking, canvassing, and other efforts to get out the vote, with Election Day just 100 days away. “Momentum for Vice President Harris is real,” said Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, in a memo. He noted the election would be decided by a small number of voters in a few key states.

Harris campaigned in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday, drawing hundreds to a fundraiser initially expected to raise $400,000 but ultimately brought in about $1.4 million. This surge in support followed Biden’s withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of Harris. High-profile Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former president Bill Clinton, quickly coalesced behind her.

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama also announced their endorsement on Friday. Despite the backing, Harris acknowledged at the fundraiser that she remains the “underdog” but emphasized the growing momentum of her campaign.

Conversely, former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have increased efforts to frame Harris as a far-left politician. “The people are going to learn her record,” said Vance, describing Harris as a “San Francisco liberal” during a stop in Waite Park, Minnesota, on Sunday. Trump echoed these sentiments in St. Cloud, Minnesota, labeling Harris as wanting to “defund the police” and being an “absolute radical” on abortion.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called Harris “a nice person” but “incredibly liberal.” He expressed skepticism that Harris would make any significant changes if she were to influence the nation’s direction. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., criticized Harris for decisions he attributed to the Biden administration, including the chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

On foreign policy, Harris faced criticism from Cotton for allegedly emboldening Iranian proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. This followed her urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire in Gaza to secure the release of hostages held since Oct. 7. Harris reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself but voiced concerns over the high death toll in Gaza.

Tensions heightened in the Middle East after a rocket from Lebanon killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, raising fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The militant group denied involvement in the attack.

Trump condemned the incident, attributing it to the perceived weakness of “a weak and ineffective United States president and vice president.” Vance reiterated these points on Sunday, calling Harris a “disaster” regarding the conflict.

Despite Republican criticisms, some within the party are concerned that Harris’ candidacy has reinvigorated Democrats. Gov. Chris Sununu, R-N.H., referred to this phase as Harris’ “honeymoon” period, suggesting it might last a month. He advised Trump and Vance to focus on issues rather than personal attacks against Harris, believing such behavior would not garner votes.

Sununu acknowledged that Trump’s recent campaign events missed the mark but expressed hope that the campaign would refocus on substantive matters. He commented, “Nobody can get Donald Trump to do anything, but hopefully the numbers, the polls, will get Donald Trump to realize what was working and what didn’t.”