Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has witnessed a notable boost in support and fundraising efforts following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the election and endorse her.

The endorsement has reinvigorated the Democratic base, leading to increased fundraising and volunteer sign-ups through strategic organizing efforts, particularly via Zoom calls homing in on Trump running mate J.D. Vance's recent controversial comments, as the Washington Examiner reports.

In a strategic move, the Harris campaign utilized online calls to rally diverse blocs of voters, including a group humorously naming themselves “childless cat ladies.”

This was a direct response to controversial remarks made by Vance, who referred to "childless cat ladies" in a negative light. The comments, originally made in 2021, have resurfaced recently, prompting backlash from various quarters.

Following Biden’s endorsement, Harris’s campaign has seen a significant surge in support. The campaign has raised over $200 million and recruited more than 170,000 volunteers. This surge is partly attributed to numerous Zoom calls organized by different supporter groups.

Zoom Events Draw Thousands of Attendees

One notable Zoom call, organized by "Win with Black Women," took place on July 21. This event drew an impressive 44,000 attendees and raised over $1.5 million. Similarly, a "Win with Black Men" Zoom call attracted nearly 54,000 participants, raising $1.3 million. Another Zoom call targeting white women who support Harris saw 164,000 participants and generated $2 million in funds.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer openly criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to select Vance as his vice-presidential running mate, suggesting it benefitted Democrats. “I’ll bet President Trump is sitting there, scratching his head, and wondering, ‘Why did I pick this guy?’ The choice may be one of the best things he ever did for Democrats,” Schumer said.

Controversial Comments Resurface

Vance’s earlier comments about "childless cat ladies" gained renewed attention, drawing mixed reactions. Trump’s selection of Vance as his vice-presidential candidate during the Republican National Convention has triggered substantial discourse. Democrats have leveraged these comments to bolster their campaign efforts further.

Republican figures like Karoline Leavitt have come to Vance’s defense, stating that his words were taken out of context. “As a new mom, my heart aches for women who are unable to bear children. @JDVance words are being taken out of context and unfairly attacked,” she remarked.

John Bolton compared Vance's comments to Hillary Clinton's infamous "basket of deplorables" remark from the 2016 election. Bolton opined, “I think these comments by Vance are really the 2024 counterpart of Hillary Clinton’s famous statement in the 2016 election where she called Trump supporters ‘deplorables.’”

Republican Reactions and Damage Control

In an attempt to address the controversy, Vance appeared on the Megyn Kelly Show. He expressed that the media was targeting him while reaffirming his original viewpoint.

“I know the media wants to attack me and wants me to back down on this, Megyn, but the simple point that I made is that having children, becoming a father, becoming a mother, I really do think it changes your perspective in a pretty profound way,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump, dismissed reports that Trump regrets choosing Vance as his running mate. “President Trump is thrilled with the choice he made with Senator Vance, and they are the perfect team to take back the White House. And any reporting to the contrary is nothing but ridiculous fake news from either nonexistent sources or individuals who have no idea what’s going on,” Cheung asserted.

Democrats' Strategic Uses of Harris's Candidacy

Democrats are capitalizing on Harris’s candidacy by energizing key voting blocs. They are deploying strategies that leverage social media and high-profile endorsements to deepen their reach and influence.

Rep. Gregory Meeks predicted that Harris’s candidacy would result in a higher black voter turnout than in the 2020 election, comparing the current momentum to that seen in 2008.

“I thought that what I saw in 2008 could never be duplicated. I thought that interest would fade away. But let me tell you, what we are seeing right now goes farther than what I saw at the beginning of 2008,” Meeks commented.

As the election season progresses, both Democrats and Republicans remain engaged in a highly contentious battle for voter support, leveraging both traditional and modern tactics to gain the upper hand.

In conclusion, Kamala Harris's campaign has gained significant momentum following President Joe Biden's endorsement. The campaign’s strategic use of Zoom calls has brought diverse voter groups together while raising substantial funds. In contrast, Sen. J.D. Vance’s comments have sparked controversy and political discourse, with Democrats effectively utilizing the remarks to boost their campaign efforts.