A group of major Democratic donors who participated in a conference call with Vice President Kamala Harris expressed disappointment and frustration with the event’s disorganization and condescending tone, according to a report by NBC News. Participants described the call as a “total failure” that was “damaging” and “poorly planned.” They felt insulted and unimpressed by the way they were treated during the call.
The call, which included about 300 heavy-hitter donors, began with field organizers venting their frustrations over the debate within the party about whether President Biden should be replaced as the nominee. Donors were urged not to push for Biden’s replacement and instead to support him despite concerns about his mental health. The donors were then given a pep talk by Harris, who emphasized Biden’s dedication to working Americans and expressed confidence in winning the election.
However, the tone of the call did not sit well with many donors, who were expecting insider insights on the party’s recovery efforts. Some donors have been withholding their contributions due to doubts about the campaign’s viability. Despite the campaign’s goal of raising $50 million from big donors in July, it is only on track to reach half of that amount.
In response to their lack of faith in the Biden-Harris ticket, some major donors are independently funding a process to vet potential successors to Biden. Names being considered include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.
As Biden considers returning to the campaign trail after a period of convalescence, there are concerns about his ability to lead effectively. Plans for trips to Georgia and Texas are being discussed, with the expectation of more video “highlights” that may further raise doubts about his fitness for office.