In a significant shift from their previous stance, progressive Democrats are rallying behind Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency. This support comes despite ongoing concerns within the movement, particularly regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
On August 20, 2024, Bernie Sanders, the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, addressed a gathering of the Progressive Democrats of America. The event, held at a modest teachers union hall in Chicago, stood in stark contrast to the grandeur of the Democratic National Convention taking place less than a mile away at the United Center, the largest arena by capacity in the United States.
Sanders urged attendees to support Harris, stating:
"Kamala, for a variety of reasons, has created a whole lot of excitement and energy. In the next 80 days or something, we have to do everything we can to make sure she wins."
This endorsement marks a significant evolution for the progressive movement, which eight years ago had encouraged Sanders to run for president to push the Democratic Party leftward on issues such as economic policy and climate change.
The Progressive Democrats of America, founded in 2004, has seen its influence grow within the party. Notable figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in 2018, have become prominent voices in Democratic circles.
However, the movement faces internal divisions, particularly regarding the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Some progressives express disappointment with the Biden-Harris administration's stance on the issue. During the gathering, a Code Pink protester, representing the women-initiated peace organization founded in 2002, silently carried a sign reading "KAMALA: NO WEAPONS TO ISRAEL."
Despite these concerns, many progressives view supporting Harris as crucial to preventing a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. Rep. Ro Khanna emphasized this point, stating that while he may disagree with party leaders on some issues, particularly Gaza, he recognizes the greater threat posed by a Trump presidency.
The progressive movement has achieved several victories in recent years, with the Democratic Party adopting some of their priorities. These include student loan debt forgiveness, lowering prescription drug costs, and investing in renewable energy. Sanders has even suggested that Biden could be the most progressive president since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
As the November 5, 2024, election approaches, progressives are cautiously optimistic about their ability to influence Harris. They point to her past support for Medicare-for-all, a proposed single-payer healthcare system, during her time as a senator. Additionally, her recent meeting with leaders of the Uncommitted movement in Michigan, which gained traction as a protest vote against the handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, has been seen as a positive sign of engagement.
While challenges remain, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party appears to be coalescing around Harris, recognizing the high stakes of the upcoming election. As Alan Minsky, executive director of the Progressive Democrats of America, succinctly put it: "We're big kids. We're not crying about it. Onward."