‘Who the Hell Does He Think He Is?’: Congressman Blasts Speaker Johnson Over Harris Ballot Challenge
By Jake Beardslee ·
July 22, 2024
President Joe Biden has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. The news has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with Democrats quickly rallying around Harris while Republicans raise questions about the legality of the move.
Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, expressed mixed emotions about the development in an interview with CNN. "I'm sad about that, that that's happened," Garamendi said, praising Biden as "an extraordinary president who made a decision for this country and for the future by stepping out of this race." The White House / Wikimedia
However, Garamendi's tone shifted to excitement when discussing Harris's candidacy. "I'm very, very excited about Kamala Harris," he stated, recounting their history of working together since 1991. "She's an extraordinary person, and Trump is going to find his match far beyond equal here." Ryan Garza / USA TODAY NETWORK
The congressman highlighted Harris's background as a prosecutor, suggesting it could be a powerful asset in a potential matchup against former President Donald Trump. "This is a woman that knows how to go after fraudsters and criminals. And guess what? Trump is a certified felon," Garamendi asserted. U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Natalie Rubenak / Wikimedia
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has raised concerns about the legality of Harris's potential nomination. Johnson suggested that Republican state officials might challenge Harris's placement on the ballot, stating to reporters on Capitol Hill, "If it violates the rules in some of these states, I expect that there will be litigation over that." Megan Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK
Garamendi dismissed Johnson's comments as "laughable," firing back, "Just who the hell does he think he is messing with the Democrats?" He accused Republicans of "whining" and advised Johnson to "pay attention to your own party and don't go messing around with the Democratic Party." Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Hinton / Wikimedia
The sudden shift in the Democratic ticket has sparked a surge of support for Harris. Her campaign reportedly raised nearly $50 million in grassroots donations within 24 hours of Biden's announcement. Additionally, Harris has secured endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including the Clintons, former Secretary of State John Kerry, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Ryan Garza / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the political landscape adjusts to this unexpected development, Harris is said to be actively engaging with key Democratic coalitions and leaders. CNN's Eva McKend, reporting from outside the Naval Observatory, noted that Harris "has been working the phones, speaking to President Obama, speaking to the Clintons, speaking to governors, members of Congress, faith leaders." Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial for Harris as she works to solidify her position as the presumptive Democratic nominee. With Biden's endorsement providing a significant boost, all eyes are now on Harris as she prepares to potentially face off against Trump in what promises to be a high-stakes and fiercely contested election. Nathan Howard/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
