Democrats who want to run against Harris have only days to get in the race
Any Democrat wishing to challenge Harris for the presidential nomination has only days to secure the necessary support, according to nominating rules the party approved today, which laid out plans for an unusual pre-convention nominating vote scheduled for early next month.
Candidates have until Saturday to declare their candidacies and until Tuesday to gather the needed support from hundreds of delegates to make the ballot alongside Harris at the virtual roll call vote. Democrats have given themselves an Aug. 7 deadline to conduct the roll call to avoid potential legal issues.
“We understand that this is an unprecedented situation, but we will accomplish it together,” said Minyon Moore, a veteran Democratic strategist and Harris ally who is chairperson of the Democratic National Convention, which begins Aug. 19 in Chicago.
Black voters disenchanted by Biden say Harris has a chance to revive their support
Some Black voters who were losing faith in Biden say they’ve found renewed hope and excitement in Harris’ candidacy.
In recent months, polls showed Biden losing support among Black voters, with some manifesting more openness to a second Trump presidency. Many cited economic and inflation concerns, as well as what they described as unkept campaign promises, as causes for their frustration. Others said they haven’t felt the impacts of Biden’s attempt to forgive federal student loan, farmers said they feel left out of Biden’s equity efforts, and many others said his efforts at police accountability have stalled.
In an April NBC News poll, one-third of Black respondents — a demographic that played a critical role in his 2020 victory — said the economy hadn’t improved under Biden, and 6 in 10 said they felt their family incomes couldn’t meet the cost of living. Now, with Biden leaving the race and endorsing Harris, Democrats hope she becomes the key to winning back those disillusioned voters.
Harris’ tech allies on track to raise over $100M as they work to win over Silicon Valley skeptics
Harris’ allies in the tech community have launched a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to persuade wealthy donors to back her campaign for president, according to people familiar with the matter.
Longtime investors Reid Hoffman and Ron Conway have been among Harris’ allies in Silicon Valley privately calling on those in their networks to support her over Trump, these people said.
The conversations have been ongoing since Sunday, when Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, according to people who described the discussions to CNBC.
Mark Kelly backs PRO Act amid criticism from labor unions
Sen. Mark Kelly, a potential running mate for Harris, now supports a bill that has been lauded by labor unions.
A spokesperson for Kelly, D-Ariz., told NBC News today that Kelly would vote for the PRO Act, a measure he has not yet co-sponsored. The bill has 49 sponsors, including independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Kelly is the rare Democrat not to have signed on.
Kelly has come under criticism from some unions in recent days for declining to back the key piece of legislation, prompting some to argue it should disqualify him from being the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee.
Trump calls for FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign
Trump called for FBI Director Christopher Wray's resignation, pointing to Wray's denial in testimony before Congress today that he has seen Biden experiencing cognitive issues.
Trump said Wray should resign for "lying to Congress," arguing that "anybody can see that Joe Biden is cognitively and physically challenged, and if you can’t see that, you sure as hell can’t be running the FBI."
RNC chair dodges questions on DEI attack lines against Harris
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley today dodged questions about whether it's smart for the GOP to characterize Harris as a "DEI candidate" or a "diversity hire."
"I think our conversation regarding Kamala Harris needs to focus on two things. One, that she is a California liberal. ... I think the other thing that we need to focus on is the fact that it is the Biden-Harris administration. It is the Biden-Harris campaign," Whatley said when he was asked directly about Republicans' calling Harris a DEI candidate.
Pressed a second time about the language being used against Harris, Whatley said, "Kamala Harris is the most radical left candidate that the Democrats have ever put on a ticket."
DNC Rules Committee sets formal nomination date
The DNC Rules Committee voted this afternoon to begin the virtual presidential nomination roll call on Aug. 1, assuming Harris is the only candidate for the nomination.
The DNC must formally nominate both the presidential and the vice presidential candidates before Aug. 7. It confirmed today that, if it fails to meet the deadline, its nominees may not appear on the Ohio ballot. When the convention begins on Aug. 19, it will hold a ceremonial roll call for the nominees.
Voting was overseen by the Rules Committee co-chairs, Bishop Leah Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is reportedly a contender to be Harris’ running mate, and the rules were formally adopted around 3:41 p.m. ET.
Fox News invites Trump and Harris to debate in September
In a letter to the Trump and Harris campaigns, obtained by CNBC, Fox News President Jay Wallace and Jessica Loker, the vice president for politics, invited Harris and Trump to debate in Pennsylvania on Sept. 17.
The letter added that the moderators would be Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier.
Biden and Trump had committed to a debate earlier in September on ABC News, but it's unclear whether an ABC News debate will still take place now that Biden has stepped aside and endorsed Harris.
The proposed Fox debate could come the day before Trump is scheduled to be sentenced for his hush money conviction. The sentencing hearing had been scheduled for July 11, but the judge overseeing the trial postponed it until at least Sept. 18 after Trump's lawyers asked for more time to review the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling.
Netanyahu thanks Trump for all he did for Israel as president
Netanyahu said he wanted to thank Trump "for his leadership" and his efforts to secure the Abraham Accords, the September 2020 deal to normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and Israel and Bahrain. The line drew cheers from lawmakers.
"Like Americans, Israelis were relieved that President Trump emerged safe and sound from that dastardly attack on him," he said. "There is no room for political violence in democracies."
"I also want to thank President Trump for all the things he did for Israel — from recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights ... to recognizing Jerusalem as our capital and moving the American Embassy" there from Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said, which drew some boos.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
Netanyahu slams International Criminal Court and says 'America will be next'
Netanyahu blasted the International Criminal Court in his speech and said, "America will be next."
"The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has shamefully accused Israel of deliberately starving the people of Gaza. This is utter, complete nonsense. It's a complete fabrication," Netanyahu said.
The ICC's chief prosecutor said in May that he was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders so they can be charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The prosecutor said he was also seeking an arrest warrant for Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.