Kamala Harris Off to Blistering Start, Unites Democrats, Filipinos Say She Can Defeat Trump

by Edwin Quinabo

Within 24 hours after President Joe Biden stepped down from his reelection bid, a flurry of major endorsements and record-breaking fundraising catapulted Vice President Kamala Harris to become the favored nominee of the Democratic Party. Just days later, Harris became the presumptive nominee as she racked up enough pledged delegates to secure the top spot.

Harris wrote in an Instagram post hours after Biden’s announcement, “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”

Pledged delegates seal Harris’ nomination
CNN, Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported Harris had met the 1,976 threshold of required delegate endorsements and is expected to garner more ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

The Democratic Party of Hawaii joined that first wave of committed delegates for the Vice President, stating in a press release to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle that their delegates which were initially pledged to President Biden for Presidential nominee, will go to Harris at the DNC in Chicago Aug. 19-22.

Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii Derek Turbin said, “This decision shows the fresh energy coursing through our party The unanimous support among Biden delegates for Vice President Harris reflects our shared commitment to continuing the progress achieved under the Biden-Harris administration, and our excitement to elect Kamala Harris as President.”

Record-breaking donations
The Harris campaign reported that they raised $81 million in the first 24 hours of her candidacy. The campaign touted on Monday afternoon (Biden stepped down Sunday, July 21) that the money raised was the “largest 24-hour raise in presidential history.”

The campaign said more than 888,000 grassroots donors made contributions during the 24 hours, with 60% of them making their first contribution during the 2024 election cycle. And the campaign says it signed up 43,000 of those donors to make recurring donations. The haul includes money raised by the campaign, the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees.

Several groups hosted major fundraisers on Zoom throughout the first week:

-Sunday, the day Biden exited the race: a Zoom call hosted by Win with Black Woman raised $1.5 million, 44,000 people were on that call.

-Monday, a Zoom record for most people on a Zoom call ever was hosted by White Women Answer the Call, 160,000 people participated, raising $8.5 million for Harris.

-Monday, Win with Black Men, Zoom, 20,000 participants, $1.3 million raised.

-Wednesday, South Asian Women for Harris, Zoom, 10,000 participants, $250,000 raised.

-Thursday, LGBTQ+ Zoom call, 20,000 participants, $300,000 raised.

Politicos say it wasn’t just a historic fundraising first week, but the Harris campaign laid the groundwork for a larger outreach apparatus as 170,000 new volunteers signed up to do the heavy work of knocking on doors, meeting with neighbors, phone banking and holding rallies and meetings for Harris.

Major endorsements from Democratic Powerbrokers
Harris solidified the nomination early on as Democratic bigwigs endorsed her candidacy. Party leaders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, N.Y. and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, N.Y., threw in their support behind Harris. Jeffries said, “Harris energized the House Democratic Caucus, the Democratic Party and the nation.” Schumer said Harris “will beat Donald Trump.”

Other major Democratic power brokers joining the clarion call for a Harris presidency in the first week include: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House ranking members Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, Govs. Gavin Newsom (CA), Josh Shapiro (Penn), Roy Cooper (N. Carolina), Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Sens. Mark Kelly (AZ), Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, billionaire donors George and Alex Soros, Reid Hoffman, Melinda French Gates, actor George Clooney, the Congressional Black Caucus and their PAC, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep Nanette Barragan and Progressive Caucus Chair Rep Pramila Jayapal.

Completing the circle of Democratic powerbrokers, Harris received endorsements from the Party’s White House emeriti Barack and Michelle Obama, and Bill and Hilary Clinton.

Hawaii’s congressional delegates
Hawaii’s congressional delegation – three of four (as of July 28) endorsed Harris — Sens Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, and Rep Jill Tokuda.

Sen. Schatz in a statement, wrote, “I strongly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy for President. Her historic service as vice president helped us achieve many of our biggest legislative wins, casting tie-breaking votes on bills to help the country recover from the pandemic and take the biggest climate action in human history. She has shown that she is more than ready to lead on the toughest domestic and foreign policy issues and to deliver for the American people. Having worked with the vice president both during her time in the Senate and in the Biden-Harris administration, I am confident that she has what it takes to beat Donald Trump.”

Sen. Hirono said, “I look forward to doing everything in my power to get her elected to the White House, so we can continue building on the progress of the last four years.”

Rep Jill Tokuda said, “We must now come together and fight to defend our democracy and the very basic values of equality, justice, and freedom. The threat of a Trump-Vance presidency and Project 2025 is real. We need Kamala Harris as President to provide the strong leadership necessary in this moment to protect our democracy, restore our rights, and ensure a brighter future for Hawaiʻi and all Americans.”

Rep. Ed Case issued a statement, “The path ahead is difficult and I will take some limited time to discuss with my constituents and colleagues the best way forward on a Democratic nominee.”

Filipino community on Harris
Kit Zulueta Furukawa, Wailuku, Maui, self-employed businesswoman, is a registered voter not affiliated with a political party.  She says she will support Harris for President. “I have admired Kamala’s views in keeping the government out of women’s bodies. I respect her position – and how very well she articulates her thoughts – on how individuals should keep their faith and beliefs, ensuring that we all have freedom to decide what we want to do with our own bodies, where the government has no place to be at.”

Furukawa said she loves how Harris can keep up with the times and trends much like President Obama did. “Many have labelled her inauthentic. Perhaps because she didn’t really get much coverage as Vice President. She may have flaws that many criticize, too. But to me, these vulnerabilities and accountability in her actions just make her more likeable and a stronger candidate.”

Furukawa said she was neither a Biden nor Donald Trump supporter prior to Kamala’s entry into the race. “I thought Biden was honorable for bowing out of the race. He really has paid his dues already and should be advisory only. It’s time for him to retire. Which is why Kamala’s decision to rise was the fresh invigoration we needed to get our heads in the game this political season.”

Sarah Bonilla, Lansing, Michigan, retired federal employee with the Office of Disaster Assistance, is a registered voter and Democrat. Bonilla spoke highly of Biden and was a Biden supporter before he exited the race. She said she will be voting for Kamala. “I like everything about her.  She is kind and cares about people and wants to give hope and a better life to all Americans not just the powerful and super wealthy.”

Teresita Bernales, Kailua, HI, a retired counselor, has no party affiliation and votes regularly. She hasn’t stated who she will vote for. What she likes about Harris, “She is the first woman, first black person, first South Asian American to serve as VP, thus a symbol of progress and diversity. She is well qualified for the highest office having served as Attorney General of California and U.S. Senator and Vice President.  Many people praise her for strong advocacy, and I can relate to that.  She has rallied for civil rights, criminal justice reform, healthcare access and climate change. She is known for her charisma and ability to connect with audiences, which can be very appealing. Her stances on progressive issues such as immigration reform, gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic equity resonate with segments of the electorate.”

Bernales mentions some criticisms she’s heard of Kamala — changes in her political stances over time, her prosecutorial record, partisan criticism, and that she’s too ambitious. “Generally, likes and dislikes are dynamic and can evolve over time,” she said.

Serafin Colmenares, Ph.D., retired government worker, Aiea is a registered Democrat.  He was a Biden supporter and said he now supports Harris. “Kamala is intelligent, smart, honest, people-oriented and has the experience to become president.”

Teresita Hufana, registered nurse, Wahiawa, supported Biden in the past before his debate debacle with Trump. She is not supporting Harris and said, “Harris hasn’t really done anything as a Vice President that makes her stand out.” She plans to vote for Trump.

Evelyn Salvador, Kunia, employee with the City and County of Honolulu, is a registered Democrat. Salvador was not a Biden supporter and leaning third party but says she will support Harris. “Kamala brings energy like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. There’s something about late-middle-aged presidents that’s able to do that, get people excited about change. Having the first woman and Asian president will do so much to inspire our youth. Kamala, of course, is also Black and we had Obama break that glass ceiling. But an Asian president in the U.S., that would be big and historic for our community.

What the latest polls say
Two NYT/Sienna College polls contrasting a July 25 Harris poll to the latest poll for Biden on July 3 show a surge for Harris. The VP went up from Biden’s polling– a whopping 16% higher among young voters, 8% higher among independents, and 16% higher among Latinos. These are all major demographic groups that Harris will need.

Combining Black, Latino and young voters, Harris support jumped up to 63% compared to Biden at 51%. Some Black voters who were losing faith in President Biden say they’ve found renewed hope and excitement in Harris’ candidacy. Black-centered groups like the NAACP and BlackPac quickly endorsed Harris after Biden’s announcement.

In an Axios poll taken July 22-24, Harris has leaped ahead of Trump among young voters 18-34. Respondents, which represented all Gen Z voters and younger millennials, were asked who they would vote for in a head-to-head between Harris and Trump; 60% opted for the vice president, while only 40% picked Trump.

According to a survey of Asian American voters taken by AAPI, before Biden exited the race, he was slipping among Asian Americans voters from 2020 to 2024 by 8%. In the same survey, Harris has a 44% favorable impression compared to Trump’s 34%.

The latest Wall Street Journal poll shows Trump and Harris is now tied as Harris erased Trump’s six-point lead over Biden.

Harris still needs to make up ground
Politicos say while Harris’ surge is huge and historic in a week’s time frame, Harris 63% of support among non-white voters is still below the 73% that voted for Biden in 2020. Before dropping out of the race, Biden was only getting 51% of non-white voters so Biden himself was way behind his own 2020 numbers.

Democratic strategist James Carville warned that it’s not time to celebrate after the Party’s new surge in polls and fundraising.  He told MSNBC, “Everybody should feel good and liberated and everything else. But if we don’t win the election, we haven’t done anything.” He said the Republicans were caught off guard, but they’re coming. Putting it in boxing terms, “I think the Vice President needs a good cutman on the corner because she’s getting ready to get cut,” Carville said, of Republicans possible next moves to hurt Harris’ momentum.

What Harris needs to do to beat Trump
Furukawa believes 100% that Harris can beat Trump. She said Harris needs to be consistent and stick to the values she has perpetuated in the past years. “Her stepping up is already a bold action to unite the Democrats, and with voter registration spiking after her announcement, she would surely put up a good fight.”

She said Trump has already backed out of a scheduled debate out of fear he will cave when put head-to-head with Kamala. “Harris must keep the momentum going and her spirits high throughout her campaign. She will prove the last man standing is surely a woman,” Furukawa said.

Bonilla said, absolutely, Harris can beat Trump. “People want a better future, and it is only the Democratic party who offers that.  We need to get people registered to vote and keep the enthusiasm up so people remember to vote. Keep giving people hope, a hope that is based on the exceptional record of accomplishments that Biden pushed through. 

“Harris must make it crystal clear that it is the Democratic Party that has always had as their goal the improvement of lives for all Americans – jobs, wages and benefits, work conditions, taxes, childcare, economy, public safety.  It has always been the Republicans who block whatever is good for Americans and try to keep all benefits for the wealthiest 1-2% of the population,” said Bonilla. “Democrats must point out Republican lies and their shameless taking credit for bills they voted against, when they see how popular Biden’s bills are with their constituents.  The GOP continually sabotage solutions then blame the Democrats for not solving the problem and take credit for the popular benefits that make their constituents happy,” Bonilla said.

Bernales said, “Harris needs to unify the Democratic base while also appealing to independent voters and moderate Republicans disaffected by Trump. This involves emphasizing her policies on healthcare, climate change, racial justice, and economic reform that resonate across a wide spectrum of voters.  By clearly delineating her policy positions and personal values from those of Trump will be crucial. Highlight the contrasts. This includes contrasting her approach to governance, respect for democratic norms, and vision for the country with Trump’s record and rhetoric. 

“Harris must demonstrate empathy and offer concrete solutions to these issues. Developing a robust campaign strategy that includes effective use of media, digital outreach, and grassroots mobilization will be critical.

“This involves leveraging her strengths as a communicator and connecting directly with voters. Anticipating and effectively responding to attacks from Trump and his allies will be necessary. Harris must maintain a strong and resilient campaign that stays focused on her positive message while countering misinformation,” Bernales said.

She also said Harris needs to mobilize and inspire voter turnout, especially among key demographics like young people, minorities, and women. “Harris needs a strong ground game to ensure supporters show up at the polls. Performing well in debates and public forums, where she can showcase her policy knowledge, leadership abilities, and ability to handle pressure, will bolster her campaign. An appeal to national unity and healing divisions in the country will contrast with Trump’s polarizing style and appeal to voters looking for a more inclusive leader,” Bernales said.

Colmenares also believes Harris can pull out a victory. “First, she must unite the Democrats and then convince the undecided that she is the best alternative to Trump. She must emphasize and communicate better the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration, and point out Trump’s failures, lies and the threat that the Trump-Vance ticket poses to democracy.

“She must not be defensive, rather, she should counter and take the offensive against the bullying of Trump and the GOP. She should however take the high ground and not give in to the expected name-calling, racist and misogynist attacks of her detractors. In addition, she needs to conduct an effective grassroots campaign and target certain population groups like white women, the youth, Black males and immigrant/minority groups,” said Colmenares.

He adds that “Harris should campaign nationwide and not take certain states for granted. Policy-wise, she should be focused on where she stands, and try to take a more middle-of-the-road platform that would be acceptable to the left and the right.”

Hufana said Harris cannot beat Trump. “Trump has a huge following because the current administration has placed us in dire circumstances as far as the economy and people see that.”  Hufana was critical of Harris’ job at securing the border, saying she hardly visited border states to assess the situation.

Salvador is cautiously optimistic about Harris winning. “While Harris made remarkable strides in only a one-week’s span, she needs to build on those gains. The latest polls show she is effectively in a tie in some battleground states, having jumped up from Biden’s low numbers, but still behind in other swing states. The victor in the race needs to win four battleground states. If the trend continues as they are, the three months or so should be enough time for Harris to pull ahead. On a positive note, what she accomplished in one week is remarkable, a fast, strong start. A strong Harris debate performance would attract more independents to her side. I hope Trump agrees to a debate.”

The General Election is Tuesday, November 5, just under 100 days. Hawaii’s paper Voter Registration Applications must be submitted to County Elections Division by October 28, 2024, for the General Election. Voters may register online at any time or in-person at a voter service center.

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