About two months ago, I warned against replacing President Biden as the nominee so close to election day. This was not because I thought Biden was the strongest candidate or would make the best president. I shared concerns about his age and the effectiveness of his messaging. However, history shows that presidents generally have stronger election prospects than new candidates. And, simply put, I thought everything had to go right for the Democrats to replace their top candidate and still have a chance of defeating Donald Trump.
In early August, I was invited to Vice President Harris’s campaign rally in Philadelphia, where she announced Tim Walz as her running mate, and clarified what her campaign would be about. I realized at that rally, that somehow, and so far, everything has gone right for the Democrats. (I’m writing this on August 17th—who knows what may happen between now and September 1st.)
I arrived at the rally at the beginning of a two-hour opening window and, yet, the line already spanned multiple blocks. In the minutes after I arrived, the line nearly doubled. A diverse group of Pennsylvanians—of different colors, backgrounds, and ages—showed high spirits, and enthusiasm. I “eavesdropped” on several conversations happening around me, and there were several common themes. Some of the rally-goers had been demoralized at the idea of voting for Biden after his debate performance, but were enthused about supporting Harris given her younger, and more charismatic qualities. I even heard someone say that they were initially going to sit this election out, but Harris inspired them to re-engage with politics.
Harris’s enthusiasm factor is significant and should not be undervalued. The Democrats have suffered from significant enthusiasm problems since 2016, when President Obama’s presidency ended. Hillary Clinton failed to motivate the Democratic base during her campaign, leading to the loss of previously safe states. Joe Biden was able to motivate Democrats to rally against Trump. Unfortunately, attacks against Trump do not resonate as strongly when Biden is the one in charge. The excitement at the rally surprised me because, for the first time, it was not against something. It was for Harris, and perhaps a more optimistic vision of the future. If she wins this election, it will prove that Democrats should continue to nominate inspiring candidates, not just ones who appear the most electable.
Unlike 2016, nominating a woman could actually prove more effective now, as abortion rights and bodily autonomy are now prominent campaign issues. Harris appeals to women who, regardless of political party, support Roe V. Wade protections. She seems more poised to keep the Democratic party more united than Clinton did in 2016. Both progressive and moderate Democrats have publicly endorsed her with (what appears to be) genuine enthusiasm.
The enthusiasm factor was further shown through speeches given by prominent Pennsylvania Democrats, Harris herself and Governor Walz. While they all referenced Trump in their speeches, they also provided a vision for the future. They want to expand on Biden’s most popular achievements, while improving on his administration’s weaknesses. The thousands of audience members clapped at several of Harris’s promises, including to codify abortion rights into law and to reform the controversial Supreme Court. Harris has made the 2024 presidential election about something, which Biden had proved unable to do.
Another consequential choice for Harris was her choice of a running mate. Governor Walz drew a standing ovation at the rally, and energized the crowds with passionate rhetoric, and a bit of humor. He seems to appeal to moderate Democrats due to his long track record in government, and to progressives due to the liberal policies that he implemented as Minnesota Governor. I have never seen a Democrat be so well received by all sections of the party. The rally, and enthusiasm, also proved to me that Harris had made the right choice.
Harris has continued to draw crowds of thousands (and, yes, bigger than Trump’s) in various battleground states. Trump continues to claim that these crowds are fake, and that the videos of them are generated by artificial intelligence. As a rally goer, I can confirm that we were all real people. While Democrats no longer have the advantage of an incumbent president, they gain a major advantage from this enthusiasm. The largest margin of victory won in the 21st century, in both the electoral college and popular vote, was won by an inspiring black man.
That said, I still feel a sense of anxiety about the upcoming election. And I am still not fully convinced that Harris can deliver a victory. I am writing about this anxiety to energize readers into action and to make sure that mistakes of prior elections are not repeated.
Outside of the rally, many young people of color protested against the war in Israel/Palestine. I heard that in other states, these protesters made it into the auditoriums. Harris, and Biden, would benefit from delivering a ceasefire to dissuade young voters from supporting third party candidates, or not voting at all. Harris’s ability to keep the party united, and prevent a third party challenger like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from taking votes, will ultimately make or break her candidacy. I urge all non-Republicans to reach out to young people and help convince them to participate in the election process. I do not support everything Harris, or Biden, stands for but sitting out, and letting things passively happen, is not resistance.
Beyond that, there are also challenges within the electoral college that benefit the Trump campaign. Harris needs to win the popular vote by at least two points to have a chance of actually winning the electoral college. And if the electoral college comes down to one or two states, Trump may ask his friends at the Supreme Court to intervene, like they did in 2000 when President Bush controversially won the state of Florida.
Overall, I think Harris has the potential to deliver a 2008-style victory built on enthusiasm and vision for the future. But the potential challenges show that there is no reason to be complacent or comfortable until she is, not only elected, but inaugurated as president. I urge readers to vote, to encourage others (especially young people) to vote, and to organize for the causes that are most important. ■