Kamala Harris’s appearance in Delaware last night was a coronation with undertones of a first-night audition. Harris could afford to look reassured — a nifty political operation to “clear the field” of competitors had succeeded. This suggested that the Joe Biden drop-out was not wholly a surprise to his Veep. Donors who were withholding favour as President Biden’s campaign foundered turned on the taps with an extraordinary $81 million raised in a day.
The “Biden-Harris” campaign has sharp-turned into “Harris for president” bunting and no one is seriously objecting. A “Democrats Got Talent” floorshow just over 100 days out from an election would play up divisions. Harris nominated Gretchen Whitmer as co-chair of her campaign, which signalled continuity. The punchy Michigan governor was a big cog on the 2020 Biden team and a possible contender, who has now ruled herself out.
