Biden Campaign Co-Chair Criticizes Donors After President's Withdrawal from Race

Following President Biden's announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Cedric Richmond, co-chair of his campaign, expressed frustration towards major donors who he believes contributed to this decision. In an interview with CNN, Richmond accused wealthy contributors of creating a "self-fulfilling prophecy" after Biden's poor debate performance, stating that financial support is crucial for a campaign's success. He emphasized that the blame for the campaign's struggles should not fall solely on Biden, given his accomplishments in office. Richmond's comments reflect a growing concern within the Democratic Party regarding fundraising challenges. Top Democratic fundraiser Lindy Li echoed these sentiments, noting that attracting significant donations for Biden had become increasingly difficult. This situation has raised questions about the party's financial backing and its implications for future elections. In the wake of Biden's exit, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic nominee, with her campaign reporting a remarkable fundraising surge. Harris's campaign announced that it raised $100 million within 24 hours of Biden's endorsement, marking the largest single-day fundraising total in presidential history. This impressive figure was bolstered by over 1.1 million unique donors, with a significant portion being first-time contributors. The fundraising success of Harris's campaign stands in stark contrast to the challenges faced by Biden, highlighting a potential shift in donor sentiment and support within the Democratic Party as it prepares for the upcoming election cycle.