Yes They Can?

kamala harris
Instead of preparing for a living wake, or a week of protests, I’m told that Democrats and their donors are now hastily planning new parties, activities, and concerts in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. Photo: Nic Antaya/Getty Images
Peter Hamby
July 30, 2024

The sudden coronation of Kamala Harris as the de facto presidential nominee has reminded Democrats of something important they might have forgotten over the past decade: Enthusiasm is a one helluva drug. With apologies to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, Democrats haven’t been this fired up for a presidential nominee since Barack Obama exploded onto the national scene in 2008. That was 16 years ago! Sixteen years since a Democrat has inspired authentic passion, spawning merch, memes, volunteer sign-ups, voter registration, and a tsunami of small-donor cash. The $200 million that Harris has raised since taking charge of the Biden campaign operation—a number that could reach $300 million by the end of the month—is impressive enough. But the standout statistic is how much of that money came from first-time donors: 66 percent.