Steve Benen: Everything was on track (for the GOP) -- until the race changed. A Harris-vs-Trump contest offers contrasts that Democrats like. In a year in which many voters are concerned about crime, Republicans are running a man who's committed dozens of felonies against a former prosecutor who's brought criminals to justice. In a year in which some voters might care about experience, Republicans are running the least experienced presidential ticket in generations against a Democrat who's spent the last 20 years serving the public well.
This:
A Politico headline said the Republican Party was "pretty pissed" by the Democratic incumbent's surprise announcement, adding, "It's striking how much GOP anger there is over today's news. Donald Trump's campaign is built to beat Joe Biden."
Democrats, meanwhile, have made a similar transition - from despair about a looming defeat to cautious hopes about a race reborn.
To be sure, there's still some uncertainty about the process and the relevant details, and it'd be an overstatement to start describing Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee.
But let's not play games. Delegates are on board with Harris. So are Democratic governors and members of Congress. And the Clintons. And Cabinet members. And labor unions. And donors - both large and small.
I spoke to someone overnight who works in Democratic politics who said a Harris-Trump contest would be "the future vs the past." No wonder Republicans are feeling anxious.
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