During a conference call on a Friday, with Vice President Kamala Harris addressing approximately 300 key Democratic contributors, the session concluded with concerns and dissatisfaction from numerous participants, one of whom dismissed it as “ludicrous” as it neared its end, based on insights from two individuals acquainted with the event.
An attendee described the meeting as “mismanaged” and “hasty,” noting that it failed to meet expectations and left some feeling reprimanded.
The lack of fresh insights or useful information led to disappointment among donors, who had joined the call anticipating an in-depth discussion on strategies following President Joe Biden’s lackluster debate performance and the increasing calls within the Democratic Party for his withdrawal from the race. “It was a total failure,” a participant remarked off the record, criticizing it for poor planning and negative impact.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chair (not the finance team), was mentioned as responsible for organizing the call. According to a participant, the call brought together donors with diverse opinions, from staunch Biden supporters to those questioning his future.
At the call’s conclusion, a participant’s open microphone captured their declaration of the session as “ludicrous,” a comment two sources claimed was aimed at the call’s management rather than Harris.
Harris, who joined at the request of Biden’s senior advisors, lauded Biden and asserted the Democrats would triumph over Donald Trump. “We know which candidate in this election puts the American people first: our president, Joe Biden,” she shared, as confirmed by campaign officials. She highlighted Biden’s focus on the impact of his decisions on working Americans, which she witnesses daily.
The call began with field organizers expressing frustration over the internal debate about supporting Biden, given the grassroots feedback they received, as per a knowledgeable source.
Before Harris’s appearance, there was an attempt to stall, deemed usual for such high-profile events. Yet, what irked many donors was a 20-minute wait during which they felt lectured on rallying behind Biden and refraining from efforts to oust him. “Please help us turn down the volume on this conversation publicly,” urged Melissa Morales of Somos Votantes, according to a transcript NBC News obtained.
This approach received mixed reactions from participants, who were not accustomed to being reprimanded or told what to do.
Contrastingly, a pro-Harris attendee argued that while many hoped for exclusive information, their immediate sharing with the media justified withholding it.
The next day, at a Massachusetts fundraiser, Harris extolled Biden as a highly significant president, receiving notable applause for her remarks against Trump and support for LGBTQ rights. Amidst cheers, Harris was encouraged by the crowd to confront Trump.
Following her speech, Lennie Alickman, 63, expressed a desire for Biden to make way, cautiously noting Harris’s need to avoid distancing herself from Biden while praising him during her speech.
