Enthusiasm for Kamala Harris among key sets of voters – especially young people, women, black people and independents – has been boosted by the spirited activism of new grassroots groups, often using huge Zoom calls.

The varied mix of groups rallying for Kamala Harris’s campaign are doing so with fervour not witnessed for Democrats since Barack Obama’s 2008 run for the White House. They also appear not to be part of the official campaign. Philip de Vellis, an expert on political campaigning and communication, said: “It’s been a while that we’ve had someone to top the ticket who’s got the pulse of younger voters and is very involved and conversant in popular culture.”

Politico reporter Irie Sentner noted that, “Harris is attempting to rebuild the broad Democratic coalition and has made inroads with nearly every demographic compared to Biden before he dropped out.”

On the July evening Joe Biden exited the race for president, a Win With Black Women Zoom call attracted 44,000 participants. A subsequent White Women for Harris Zoom call drew 164,000 participants. And at the end of July a virtual rally hosted by Win With Black Men saw 53,000 people log on and raise US$1.5 million (£1.1 million).

While not officially........

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