The vice president’s campaign drew nearly 200,000 participants Monday to a “White Dudes for Harris” Zoom call that included Jeff Bridges, who referenced his signature line from “The Big Lebowski” to endorse her presidential candidacy.“I’m white. I’m a dude and I’m for Harris,” he said on the call.“I’m white. I’m a dude and I’m for Harris,” he said on the call.The online event, which featured nearly 30 speakers and raised more than $4 million, wasn’t the only big financial draw for Harris. A separate “Women for Harris” attracted over 300,000 viewers.The calls are further evidence of the vice president’s apparent ability to raise money for a campaign that’s less than two weeks old and will require massive spending to overcome the polling strength of former President Donald Trump.“White Dudes for Harris” and “Women for Harris” follow other virtual gatherings in recent days from identity-based groups — including “Black Women for Harris.”Bridges set the tone early in the discussion. “I’m excited, man. The fact that Joe passed the baton so beautifully and Kamala is our girl. A woman president. How exciting!”The discussion went on to live up to the movie’s famous line, “A dude abides,” a reference to embrace tolerance.A long line of white men went on to pledge money for Harris and challenge the stereotype that white men prefer Trump. “White Dudes for Harris” was inspired by the “Black Women for Harris” gathering a week ago. Donors included Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, who committed $50,000.The Zoom event featured a range of politicos, including Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, who has taken his name out of contention to run with Harris as vice president, and two people still said to be possibilities: Tim Walz of Minnesota and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.Also taking part were Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois and actor Bradley Whitford, known for playing a White House deputy chief of staff on NBC’s “The West Wing.”Pritzker acknowledged that the name of the event was a bit unusual. “White Dudes for Harris, it doesn’t sound like something I would join, but this is a terrific cause.” Then he pitched his support for Harris and poked at Trump.“Real men respect women, their decisions, their careers. It’s clear that Donald Trump and JD Vance don’t,” Cooper said.The impromptu Zoom gatherings in the last week have boosted enthusiasm for Harris, an aspect of the Biden campaign that faded over time as concerns about his age became more worrisome for voters. But since Biden stepped aside eight days ago, many groups have held their own calls to boost Harris and raise mountains of cash for the campaign. The Harris campaign pulled in $200 million since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid.
The “Women for Harris” Zoom call, hosted by the Democratic National Committee, included Gloria Steinem; Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington; Sen. Laphonza Butler of California; along with Chelsea Clinton and Ana Navarro of “The View.” Organizers did not immediately disclose how much money was raised during the event.
