With 99 days until the presidential election, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke at a private Island residence to raise money for the Harris campaign on Monday afternoon.
Emhoff, husband to Vice President Kamala Harris, was introduced by Dede Feinberg. The event took place at the home of her and her husband, Kenneth, in West Tisbury.
There were about 130 people who bought tickets to Monday’s event. Attendees, dressed in smart casual with an Island quality, contributed to the Harris Victory Fund through ticket donations, which were selling for a few thousand dollars.
Notable attendees of the fundraiser were Josh Green, governor of Hawaii, and his wife, Jaime Kanani Green, as well as Maya Harris, sister of the vice president who owns a home on-Island. Steve Kerrigan, chairperson of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, also stood on the outskirts of the tent.
Guests sipped drinks, snacked on appetizers, and chatted amongst themselves and then found their seats under a tent on the house’s lawn before Feinberg introduced Emhoff.
Monday’s fundraising on the Island “exceeded financial expectation” much like across the rest of the country in the past week, Feinberg said, referencing $200 million dollars raised nationally since Biden announced that he would not continue his bid for reelection.
Emhoff replaced First Lady Jill Biden as the headliner; the First Lady was previously announced as the guest to attend the fundraiser on the Island. Feinberg thanked everyone for the cooperation with the short-notice changes.
Emhoff started his short speech with a compliment to the Island about how relaxed he felt, but said he was grateful he had to leave in a few hours after the fundraiser because “he cannot afford to be relaxed” and “needs to be stressed.”
“It’s go time right now. I know everyone’s happy and full of joy because we have a leader we can get behind,” he said, but emphasized that everyone has to “run like we’re behind.”
He quoted his wife when she said that they’re the underdogs and cannot take anything for granted.
“We have 99 days to take advantage of this momentum and joy,” Emhoff said. “November 6, that morning will probably be the next time I’ll sleep again.”
Emhoff said he didn’t want to only bash the other party, which he said runs on anger, debasement, and fear, but he spent a few minutes challenging aspects of Republican nominee Donald Trump’s previous term. He said that Trump encouraged an economy that favored billionaires, that kowtowed to dictators, and believed the former president thought only about himself and not the American people. He lied about the pandemic and the 2020 election, Emhoff added.
Emhoff said that Trump has only gotten worse since his term as president. “He’s degrading,” Emhoff said.
The second gentleman also called Trump’s VP pick, J.D. Vance, “super weird” and said that he only cares about a limited group of Americans who are a part of the traditional family structure.
“On every single issue, she’s on the right side. They’re on the wrong side,” he said.
Emhoff was happy to be on-Island to vouch for his wife, who he said believes in more freedom, reading books, teaching history, health care, and childcare. “We’re going to run on joy,” he said. “It’s okay to laugh.”
“Let’s save our country,” Emhoff ended his speech to cheers and applause.
Press was not allowed to stay for Emhoff’s conversation with American television host and comedian David Letterman, which also took place at the Feinberg’s house following Emhoff’s speech.
“Second Gentleman”? Pretentious. Yes.
What is your preferred term for a President’s spouse?
Gina, just curious if you ever took umbrage with First Lady, Nancy Reagan?
Gina -He is he husband of the current vice president.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_lady
Normal protocol.
Not pretentious at all.
Kind of weird that you would use that word.
How’s the expression go who would walk away from a fool and his money. At $2500 a ticket it would’ve been much better if these people helped out the local charities as her campaign is swimming in money and our local charities are not.
Her election will bring more money to the things local charities support.
It would be better if all businesses provided free car charging to their customers, from the businesses solar panels. It would be better if all cars on the island are electric cars. No more gasoline emissions to cause asthma.
Mary, you do realize that MV is not in a bubble and no matter how hard islanders try they will not make a dent in changing the climate or people having asthma. It’s just virtue signaling. But what would help is if Keller didn’t heat his home with wood.
Carl, you’re right, MV is not a bubble. 🫧
It is an island 🏝️, in need of a bridge.
Bob– I have never heard you complain about fundraisers
for other presidential candidates. Like this one just
last week–
https://time.com/7000222/trump-fundraiser-seat-bitcoin-conference/
You must be really upset about the $844,600
per seat for that one , and for a mere $60,000 extra people got a
photo of them with the most famous convicted felon in the world.
That could have gone to a lot of charitable causes.
But of course, that convicted felon had his “charity” shut down because he
was using the hard earned money that working people donated to it
for personal uses, like paying $60,000 from this “charity” to buy a
portrait of himself.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/27/michael-cohen-testimony-trump-painting-foundation-money
Run like heck from democrats.
Jackie, are you running away or toward? ‘Cause the other side of politics touts a white man who has been adjudged a sexual offender and another (white) man who disparages women without children.
If you’ve been reading my comments since 10/7, you’d know I can’t distance myself far enough away from the antisemitic side that says nothing about raped and tortured hostages and then dares question me about “how can any woman” blah blah Trump. There are more than two sides. I vote my conscience because I have one. I try not to lie to myself as every Kamala supporter is doing. Self righteous but phony liberals who support ignorant Hamas supporters need to stop questioning Jewish women and start questioning themselves. Liberals are hypocrites— and they lie about having compassion for minorities— and they support antisemitism by supporting Kamala. She talks out of both sides of her mouth on the topic. As does every liberal commenting here. I find it sickening.
Jackie– you have accused me many times of being an antisemite.
Let me be clear, and say that I have, since 10/7 voiced
my sympathy for the raped and tortured hostages and the barbaric
murder and desecration of the bodies of innocent civilians at the hands
barbaric terrorist. Many other liberals here have also.
What does this have to do with women voting for
a misogynic pig ?
Run like heck from convicted felons, no matter the party.
No democrat voted for Harris in the primaries. Biden the day before the coup said he would run and only God could stop him. Obama and Jeffries and Pelosi got agreement from Harris that she would invoke the 25th amendment o threaten Biden and next day Biden dropped out. And Republicans are a threat to democracy. Laughable.
Biden and Harris were on the ballots in 2020 and won 81,284,666 votes.
Biden, running with Harris as his VP. won 14,465,519 votes in 2024 primaries.
Susan, you are wrong. Biden had not officially selected a running mate. That doesn’t happen until the convention nominating process is commenced. Her name was no where on any of the 14 million ballots that were cast. You can’t find a place that has her name associated with any of those votes that were cast. Yard signs don’t count, Sorry!
Of course Biden ran this year with Harris as his running mate.
Susan please read my post. No one voted for Harris in the primaries. FACT
Andrew, someone in the republican party machine invented that baloney. Of course, it isn’t true. Why is it continued to be repeated?
Mr. Engelman, once again, please state your source?
Ms Crafts, This is an opinion site. My opinion is that Biden was forced out by party elites. If you think he went voluntarily you are entitled to your opinion but many even in your party think it was a coup of sorts.
Andrew, the party elites? Exactly the same words that Hitler used to influence the people of Germany to feel disenfranchised.
jackie– I have not noticed Mary’s alleged
habit of saying ” I know someone who” …
when making a point.
But ,you are entitled to your opinion.
You can even start off most of your comments with
“the liberals think this or that” or of course
“The Jew haters think this or that”
You present it as fact, when in fact it is your opinion
when making a point. It demeans all of your
comments.
You should be talking to andy about presenting
an opinion as fact, not Mary.
Just read his story above about Kamala
threatening article 25. He presents it as fact.
Then when called out on his lie, he backpedals and
claims it is just his opinion.
And take a closer look at his story.
He claims that Biden said “only god could stop him”
from running the day before he dropped out,
In fact Biden said that on July 5
and dropped out on July 21 , 16 days after
he said that. Details details.
And who does andy think he is that he is so
sure that god herself did not have a one on one with
with Biden?
I know someone who says she did !
Andrew, wish that I had the computer skills and sophisticated equipment to track down EXACTLY where the propaganda is originating from: your statement about a coup was spoken before you by Marjorie Taylor Greene. We can’t be sure that the propaganda language originated from her, but we know that several conservatives commenting on the MV Times passed it along.
You say a lot of things that are untrue, Mary. Your “proof” usually centers around “I know someone who…”. I wish you had the background, credentials, and education to back even one tenth of your claims. Pretending that your opinion is anything other than your opinion demeans all your arguments.
sorry andy that’s your opinion.
I voted for her in the primary.
That’s a fact
andy– the thing about democracy is that it works even when you don’t like the
way it works. Look at how Moscow Mitch got 2 SCOTUS nominations
through for trump. Scalia died in February of an election year,
and Moscow Mitch refused to even have a hearing about Obama’s choice
to replace him saying it was an election year. Then, 4 years later when
Ginsberg died in mid September Moscow Mitch and his republican henchmen
didn’t see any problem with pushing Barrett through just 2 weeks before the
election. Yes, andy– that WAS a clear breach of democracy.
If the voters couldn’t decide who was going to pick such a consequential
person 9 months before an election, why couldn’t they decide 1 month
before the election ?
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so corrupt and such an obvious
assault on our democracy.
And who voted for any of those bloodthirsty insurrectionist on Jan 6?
Talk about an assault on our democracy–
Of course , MAGA republicans have no shame, no morals, and no accountability.
Since when do you decide how Democrats determine their candidate. 25th amendment? You just make crap up. Please tell me, who won in 2020? 81 million americans voted for Harris by the way. 7 million more than the convicted felon, sexual abuser and serial adulterer…but I forgot, you’re a god-fearing man and those qualities must be appealing to you…
You do know her name was on the ballot right? In every state. In black and white.
You may want to brush up on the meaning of the word “coup”. The number one criteria for a coup is to have a new leader installed by force. Last I checked, Joe Biden is still president. I won’t even get into the lack of military or police involvement in this imaginary coup that took place.
nah. it’s your comment that’s laughable.
Your primary vote is for the delegate, who can then choose the candidate of their choosing at convention. That is our democratic process.
On the other hand, a little while back. you may recall, there was an effort to negate certain states’ votes due to still unproven “fraud”. An idea to steal ballot boxes. A phone call in Georgia to “find” 13,000 votes. A false-accusation of under-the-table cheating later shown to be the passing of a MINT. A pressure campaign on Mr. Pence to refuse to certify an election.
You must have been nothing shy of apoplectic.
If Trump choses to step down who should replace him?
Albert, don’t tease them! 🤣
If Trump wanted to step down, I believe he would’ve done so after taking a bullet for running. That time has elapsed.
I’d replace the nominees, and 90% of Washington, with a golden retriever, a collie… any pup will do.
They’re mostly polite. Usually honest. Have sincere eyes and smiles. No scandals or betrayal of values. No doublespeak.
Only take bribes in the form of food.
The country really should go to the dogs.
About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted after Biden withdrew from the race.
In a separate AP-NORC poll, taken before Biden dropped out but after his debate against Republican former President Donald Trump, only about 4 in 10 Democrats said they were somewhat or very satisfied that he was the Democratic Party’s likely nominee for president.
pbs. org /newshour/politics/about-8-in-10-democrats-are-satisfied-with-prospect-of-harris-as-nominee-ap-norc-poll-shows
andy– you claim that “Obama and Jeffries and Pelosi got agreement
from Harris that she would invoke the 25th amendment o threaten
Biden and next day Biden dropped out.”
You state it as a fact. Nothing in you comment is an opinion.
That’s a problem with many republicans. They don’t know the difference
between a declarative statement and an opinion. . Your comment was stated as fact.
here– let me show you the difference.
Stating an opinion:
I think the Bhopal chemical disaster was the result of lax safety measures
by Union Carbide.
Stating as a fact:
A mediocre ceo of Union Carbide had a serious drinking problem
and was on record having stated that he hated the “animals” that lived near
the plant He also ignored multipla desperate requests by the plant managers to
replace the valve that failed just 2 days after the mediocre CEO
told then to “eat rice”.
A little different, don’t cha’ think ?
Who voted for Vance?
Who should replace Trump if he steps down?
Oh no, pls save democracy from the awful Democrats. They stand for freedom and community and care for all people but you’re all right—that’s awful. Instead let’s put that buffoon back in office, the one with the orange face, who is a convicted felon, an accused rapist and one of the biggest traitors to the US ever. Listen to the message—you’re so angry you can’t possibly see straight.
He will make a wonderful first gentleman. Like Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff is a positive intelligent thinker with a sense of humor. What a wonderful contrast to the current Republican nominees party. Let the youth in this country take the reins.
Biden dropped out. It was his choice.
“Obama and Jeffries and Pelosi got agreement from Harris that she would invoke the 25th amendment o threaten Biden and next day Biden dropped out.” Source?
The vice-president can not invoke the 25th, that takes a super majority.
“Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,”
Civics 101.
It should be required for high school graduation and immigrant citizenship.
Albert, civics IS required for HS graduation in MA, thankfully. Also required for would be citizens. In fact the test is so demanding, in a study of it in 2018 only 36% of non-immigrant Americans could pass it.
Geraldine, I read all of the material that makes up the test and I’m certain it would be a breeze for you! 😁
I have 2 Jamaican friends that have taken that test
in the last 2 years. The first time I saw the questions
I got 5 out of the 100 incorrect.
An applicant is asked 10 questions out of the hundred.
Six have to be answered correctly.
So if I walked in cold, it is possible that I would have been asked
the 5 questions I did not know and failed.
I know all 100 now, as we got the flashcards and worked
through them until my friend knew every answer to every question.
Then, I said “lets play jeopardy” and I stated the answers and he had
to tell me the question. It was great fun.
Then we passed the cards on to another friend who was living
in Baltimore. He passed also.
If we could just jail Trump, get rid of MAGA, end the Electoral College, stack the Supreme Court, ban voter ID, and censor free speech we could save democracy.
If we could just jail convicted felons…
agreed.
Massachusetts has enacted the National Popular Vote bill. States with 61 more electors are needed.
When states with 270+ electors combined enact the bill, the candidate who wins the most popular votes from all 50 states and DC will be guaranteed to win the Electoral College.
All votes will be valued equally as 1 vote in presidential elections, no matter where voters live.
Andrew, we don’t need to end Make America Great Again (MAGA) because it’s been great for a very long time. (Although Trump’s policies in the past have opened the door for other countries to be greater than the US).
We aren’t censoring free speech, just take a look at this forum as an example.
Thank goodness Harris is articulate and a powerful leader.
Trump stacked the Supreme Court.
The Electoral College is undemocratic.
Give it time Andy. The MAGA’s have stacked the Supreme Court. Won’t be long now until you have your dream world run by white old men.
Jim, I thought the Supreme Court candidates are picked by the President and voted on by Congress. I thought Democratic Presidents pick their choices and Republican ones pick theirs. I must have it wrong. I thought there was a time when the Supreme Court was stacked with Democrat choices.
andy– you are correct about who picks the nominee.
But apparently you don’t know how the confirmation
process is SUPPOSED to work.
According to your logic, if there is a republican president
(like trump)
and a democratically controlled house, the house is under no obligation
to have a hearing on any potential SCOTUS that he may nominate.
End of story.
Get it ?
What Moscow Mitch did was a subversion of democracy.
Pure and simple.
When was that?
Doesn’t want to talk negatively about the opponent.. proceeds to bash Trump.
Talks about Trumps tax cuts for the rich as he cashes checks….from the rich.
Hypocrites.
I hope you all aren’t buying this baloney.
Gordon– I think you are confused about the difference between
giving taxpayer money from the middle class to the rich and accepting a
political donation from the “rich”. I don’t see the hypocrisy.
But I certainly am buying this “baloney”.
And I encourage others to also.
Here’s the link to give a donation to the Harris campaign
even if you are not rich.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kamala-harris
The baloney that the trump campaign is offering
smells a little WEIRD, Don’t cha’ think ?
Gordon, we all have the privacy to vote for whom we want, and very happy to live in the USA 🇺🇸 to enjoy that freedom.
I’m respectfully asking everyone to consider voting against the conservative oil barons, just this once. The average family could save $5,000 to $10,000 every year if they drove an electric car paired with their own solar panels. It’s not much for people with a big income, but it’s a massive amount of money for an average working family. Let’s vote against the oil barons to help out working families.
Hummmmm
With some hard work, pluck, the right boyfriend, and a bit of genetic luck, Scamala has found her way onto the presidential ballot without having to secure a single primary vote. Don’t tell me that the American Dream is dead.
Joseph, maybe you would rather vote for Tammy Duckworth?
Kamala got as many votes as Biden.
If Trump drops who should replace him?
How many votes did JD get?
Has anybody noticed the WEIRD things that JD vance has said ?
I was a bit amused while reading an article about him complaining
that “mediocre millennial journalist” were writing some negative things about him.
Imagine that– a mediocre senator calling journalist mediocre.
It’s sort of like a mediocre retired CEO of one of world’s most prolific
polluters calling me a mediocre carpenter.
I think that’s just plain ol’ WEIRD.
While I am talking about “weird” I would like to go on record
here and say that I know lots of women who do not have children,
and i don’t think they are “pathetic” miserable” or “weird cat ladies”.
He apparently thinks that applies to men also–he did mention
Pete Buttigege. I wonder if Vance knows that Jesus didn’t have any children—–
Or so they say.
I thought the SCOTUS stuff was well within Congressional rules. Sorry Keller, I guess I dont have the facts that you have. You obviously didnt like it but it was ruleworthy. Your buddy Harry Reid did the same stuff all the time.
andy–
I put the facts about that debacle right in my comment.
Did I get something wrong, or are you conveniently ignoring the
facts?
But I am curious about your statement that “Harry Reid did the
same stuff all the time”
I will assume that is your opinion.
And my opinion is that your statement is a lie.
If Kamala wins two terms she is likely to get four SCOUTS picks.
Court Stacking?
Sara, Harris represents banality. She speaks in amorphous sentences. “” we need to have a national conversation about””. There is no meat on the bone Sara. Dems could have picked Manchin or Chris Coons from Delaware or instead they picked a DEI candidate. By the Way if there is nothing wrong with DEI why do dems get hysterical when it is used as a label.?
so andy– can you tell us what is wrong with DEI ?
I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with
having a DIVERSE population in a corporate, private or
government setting . I think it’s good that black, brown, Asian
or whatever children can go to the same schools as your privileged
white kids did. DO YOU disagree ? Can you tell me why ?
I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with having a least the
aspiration that there should be some sort of EQUITY between the
citizens of this country. The constitution. after all, states that
“all men are created equal”. I think even you would agree
that slave owners and slaves did not have an “equitable” relationship.
But do you disagree ? Can you tell me why ?
I personally don’t think there is anything wrong INCLUDING people
who are not the same color, do not have the same values as I do
(like yourself) or have different interpretations of what morality is.
I put up with you–after all. And you put up with me.
But do you disagree ? Can you tell me why ?
I can tell you one thing– the dems don’t get hysterical when it
is used as a “label”. I for one am proud that I can be accused of supporting DEI.
I don’t know what’s wrong with it
How about you ? Spell it out for us– what is wrong with it ?
I have noticed some republicans here get hysterical about the label
“MAGA Maggots”. Nothing wrong with that label, right ?
Do you want me to tell you why I think that is a correct label ?
I will be proud to do it.
Just ask—–
“The genocide in Rwanda was preceded by radical racist radio host describing the Tutsi’s as ‘cockroaches’.”
— Don Keller
“I have noticed some republicans here get hysterical about the label ‘MAGA Maggots’. [They really don’t.] Nothing wrong with that label, right? Do you want me to tell you why I think that is a correct label? I will be proud to do it.”
— Don Keller
The ham-fisted contradiction can be spotted from a hundred miles. On a foggy day.
While Republicans are obviously not a race or ethnic group, they have been the recent targets of fatal political violence.** Reason enough to stop spreading dehumanizing rhetoric. I hate to keep repeating that adjective, but it’s been showing up daily in our society, in practice.
Despite boastful claims of being the civil side, I’ve read countless similar insults from Dems. Which is not to imply that every single liberal embraces such garbage. As someone without a party, I am happy to stand with all Americans—blue, red, or independent (colorless?)—who want to leave this brand of hatred behind.
I won’t try to convince anybody to stop calling their fellow citizens vermin and the like. Would be a waste of energy. After much experience, I recognize willfulness when it presents itself. A harsh truth: Some folks are not looking for common ground or national healing. It’s still needed if we’re to create a stronger country.
That’s not to say we should remain silent. Civic issues are important. Disagreement is normal. Arguing our positions, sometimes with passion and often with facts, is necessary. But the “proud” vitriol? Optional. Harmful. And absolutely not limited to the GOP side of the fence.
For me, the problem with “MAGA maggots” is now Corey Comperatore. His death proved this divisive, immature, and irresponsible insult wrong. Period. End of story. Corey was murdered. In the wake of his passing, we had the opportunity (those who cared, anyway) to hear about his life.
He was brave, community-minded, a good father and husband. (Trump’s insensitive wisecrack aside.) He was willing to die to save strangers from fire and his family from gunshots. Qualities that definitively refute “maggot” in the eyes of any honest, nonpartisan person. Efforts that all decent Democrats *and* Republicans can respect.
Yet he would automatically qualify as a “MAGA maggot”—using the flimsy criteria that has been pushed on this site repeatedly—because he was at a MAGA rally. Voting for Trump. He may even have owned a red hat.
For some, that is enough reason to discount his worth. Which is the catch when using slurs to describe a massive group—you’re always going to be in the wrong once an individual is spotlighted. Turns out, people are not that easy to pigeonhole.
Comperatore’s life and death should’ve humbled those who insist on trying.
**A disclaimer to avoid misunderstandings or deflection: No, I am not claiming that the would-be assassin acted based on the use of insults on this very forum. It’s not that simple.
I *am* saying that there are angry, unwell, and impressionable people living in the U.S. I *am* saying that a culture which allows, and even encourages, inhumane messaging is bound to rub off on someone already teetering, someday, especially when we have the ability to steep in that hatred 24/7 online.
I am saying that hating millions of people never seems to end well.
Here we are, yet again. The Times will allow certain ideas if they are expressed just so. Call those ideas out for what they really are and you’ve gone too far.
It is funny that certain white men will use terms like DEI as a pejorative, yet never seem to acknowledge how virtually every below average white guy in power got there at least partly as a result of their race. Like Joe Manchin for example.
Andrew, thank goodness Harris behaves like the adult in the room, compared to the other candidate.
What is the meat on Trump’s bones?
Can you see at his rallies?
Dems invented the DEI label.
We are a very diverse nation, mid century Germany was not.
We all want equal opportunity.
We all want to be included.
It is an American thing.
The concept amazes some of our immigrants.
Just reminded why I don’t make it a practice to read these comments.
It’s terrific that the second gentleman visited our island, as Kamala and surrogates are dashing around the country, and as huge groups contribute millions to the direly needed war chest. Nice that the home grounds was offered to the campaign. But the venom and ad hominem attacks here do suck the joy out of the event. If you can’t say something nice . . .
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