Biden dropping out increases energy and fundraising – Dems win.

Congressional Democrats are cautiously coming to one conclusion: We’re no longer doomed. President Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race breathed new life in the fight for control of Congress, and the party’s candidates said they feel like they once again have a real chance at winning. Within 24 hours, many of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents coalesced behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee, eager to project unity after weeks of chaos. Almost no one is suddenly confident that Harris will easily beat Trump and boost their chances at flipping the House (challenging) or keeping the Senate (even harder). But it’s a welcome relief from the last three weeks of panic over Biden’s vulnerabilities. And they’re moving quickly to figure out how best to deploy Harris in their own races, with Democrats starting to poll head-to-head matchups between her and Trump and at least one PAC starting to test pro-Harris messages, according to three people familiar with the plans. “It’s definitely new energy,” said Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.), the chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition. Kuster, who has endorsed Harris and is retiring from Congress at the end of this term, spent weeks poring over polling data in dozens of her vulnerable members’ districts. And it was bleak. “It was tough,” she said. “I think we can turn that around.” Biden’s disastrous debate performance last month, and his rapidly flagging poll numbers, had laid bare a dire situation for down-ballot candidates: To win, they would need to significantly outrun the unpopular president and figure out how to appropriately distance themselves from him. Privately, some battleground Democrats are still unsure if Harris can win their district, especially in existing Trump turf. Yet the party’s base appears to be enthusiastic for perhaps the first time in the 2024 campaign — and there are signs it’s not just for the presidential race. The Senate Democratic campaign arm had back-to back million-dollar online fundraising days on July 21 (when Biden dropped out) and the day after, according to an aide from the committee. It was the group’s best two online fundraising days of the cycle. Similarly, in the 24 hours after Biden’s exit in their best day of the cycle. Still, the party’s ability to win down-ballot remains tenuous. With so much still uncertain, they say it’s too early to tell whether Harris will put enough districts back in play for Democrats to have a chance of controlling at least one chamber of Congress. Still, they are relieved to be free from Biden’s baggage — particularly questions about his age and mental acuity — and allowed to run their own races at home. It’s not even necessarily about Harris boosting them — it’s about Biden not dragging them down.