In a revealing turn of events, top Democrats have voiced their apprehensions regarding the direction of President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. During a private dinner hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month, several prominent Democratic governors did not hold back on their criticisms, signaling potential rifts within the party as the next presidential election looms.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore were among those who expressed their concerns directly to Vice President Harris. The issues raised spanned a variety of critical topics, including the administration’s handling of abortion rights, the ongoing migrant crisis, and the apparent failure to engage young voters effectively.
Top Democrats grill Kamala and her aides over Biden campaign failures at private dinner: How prominent allies tore into VP for Joe not doing enough on the border, abortion or the economy https://t.co/afQ8ygmYpI 😠pic.twitter.com/MjN4fKPxnp
— wally lowther (@LowtherWally) February 19, 2024
Governor Whitmer, in particular, pointedly criticized the campaign’s messaging on abortion, an issue that Harris has championed on the trail. This critique is especially poignant given Whitmer’s previous consideration as a potential running mate for Biden in 2020, highlighting the internal disagreements over strategy and policy priorities.
The dissatisfaction extended beyond these governors, with complaints also coming from other quarters within the Democratic Party. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) voiced concerns about Biden’s approach to the war in Gaza and its impact on his support among Arab Americans.
Concerned top Democrats tore into Kamala Harris at a private dinner
https://t.co/NQBxoubpBx— Wendy Kortepeter (@WKortepeter) February 19, 2024
Additionally, Harris recently convened a meeting with male black Democrats to discuss strategies for reaching black men, indicating an awareness of the campaign’s challenges in connecting with key demographics.
Amidst growing concerns about President Biden’s age and declining approval ratings, Vice President Harris has attempted to project confidence and readiness to assume the presidency if necessary. Her recent travels, including a visit to the Munich Security Conference to reassure European allies of the U.S.’s continued support for Ukraine and NATO, underscore her efforts to bolster her and the administration’s standing on the international stage.
However, an NBC poll conducted in January paints a troubling picture for the Vice President, with 53% of voters viewing her negatively and only 28% positively. This data suggests that the Democratic leadership’s concerns are not unfounded and that significant work lies ahead to improve the party’s prospects in the upcoming election.
As the Democratic Party grapples with these internal critiques and strategizes for 2024, the unfolding dynamics will undoubtedly shape the political landscape. With key figures openly questioning the current trajectory, the pressure is on for the Biden-Harris team to recalibrate and reconnect with the American electorate.
