Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to rally enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee backfired spectacularly during a Tuesday rally — and the moment was eerily similar to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s viral “please clap” moment that ended his 2016 presidential campaign.
Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Democratic Party leaders have rallied behind Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Schumer, flanked by fellow Democratic leaders, emphatically declared to the crowd, “So now that the process has played out from the grassroots bottom up, we are here today to throw our support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.”
It was met with deafening silence, forcing the visibly uncomfortable Senator to add, “I’m clapping. You don’t have to.”
Chuck Schumer just had a humiliating Jeb Bush moment
He says “we are here today to throw our support behind Kamala!”
*nobody claps*
So he starts awkwardly clapping
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 23, 2024
The awkward moment got worse when Schumer tried again later, explicitly asking for applause after touting Harris as “the next President of the United States of America.”
Once again, no one responded.
TOUGH CROWD, CHUCK!
Nobody likes Kamala. pic.twitter.com/it0lukrw7A
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 23, 2024
Critics have pointed out that no primary votes have been cast for Harris as the Democratic nominee, and recent polls show mixed support for her candidacy among Democrats.
A YouGov survey conducted on the day of Biden’s withdrawal found that only 60% of Democrats believe Harris should be the nominee, with 21% preferring someone else and 19% unsure.
The Senate Majority Leader’s struggle to generate enthusiasm among the party faither for Harris comes at a crucial time for the Democratic Party following Biden’s abrupt exit. The silence that greeted Schumer suggests the party will face challenges in rallying its base around Harris.
This lukewarm reception to Harris by the base, despite near universal endorsement by party leadership, raises questions about her ability to energize voters heading into the 2024 election.
With former President Donald Trump still leading in many polls, the Democrats still face an uphill battle — with Harris or Biden.