Democrats are building unity and Harris momentum is not inconsistent with open process

[Eugene, 7-21-2024, Politico, “Playbook: Biden hands baton to Harris,” https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2024/07/21/special-edition-biden-hands-baton-to-harris-00170151?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=00000156-866e-dfaf-affe-bf7f6dff0000&nlid=630318, accessed 7-21-2024, CM]

“A DNC spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about whether that means they will proceed with a virtual roll call before the convention, or do it on the convention floor in Chicago — as is customary — the week of Aug. 19.”

What is clear is that a broad swath of the party has rallied behind Harris in the past five hours in a bid to build unity and inevitability behind the VP.

Some of the most notable endorsements have come from BILL and HILLARY CLINTON; Sen. PATTY MURRAY (D-Wash.), the highest-ranking woman in the Senate; Rep. JIM CLYBURN (D-S.C.); the leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus; Sens. TAMMY BALDWIN (D-Wis.), MARK KELLY (D-Ariz.) and ELIZABETH WARREN (D-Mass.); Reps. STENY HOYER (D-Md.) and ADAM SCHIFF (D-Calif.); Pennsylvania Gov. JOSH SHAPIRO; and the powerhouse fundraisers at Emily’s List.

But there were those who conspicuously chose not to back Harris in their statements — most notably former President BARACK OBAMA, who hailed Biden then said, “I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

Others who either refrained from naming Harris or outright called for an open nominating process included former Speaker NANCY PELOSI (D-Calif.), who praised Biden but said nothing about his successor; Rep. LLOYD DOGGETT (D-Texas), the first lawmaker who called on Biden to step aside; Rep. ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-Mich.), who is in a tough Senate race of her own; Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.), who pushed back strongly on calls for Biden to step aside; and Rep. SUZAN DelBENE (D-Wash.), who is trying to retake the House majority this fall.

While we’re watching closely who says what, we’ll also note this: There’s not necessarily any dissonance between calling for an “open process” and backing Harris — which is a two-step that a number of Democrats, such as Sen. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-Conn.), are attempting at the moment.

And keep in mind that the divide between those who endorse Harris and those who don’t might very well amount to a distinction without a difference: No one has yet stepped forward to challenge her for the nomination, and given Biden’s endorsement and the rallying of much of the party behind her, it’s entirely possible that no one credible will. (Sorry, MARIANNE WILLIAMSON.)