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After a fierce rainstorm, the light shone on the Capitol dome like a city on a hill.

The House of Representatives was returning at that moment Monday to an utterly changed reality. The day before, an ailing President Joe Biden withdrew from his race for reelection. The old chieftain, 81, was last to know it was time to go after his alarming debate versus former President Donald Trump on June 27.

Within 24 hours of Biden bowing out with a graceful statement, Vice President Kamala Harris moved fast to clear the field of competitors to become the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Harris won slews of endorsements and raised a record $80 million in donations. She flew to Wilmington, Delaware, to meet with the Biden campaign team. All in a day's work.

Keep in mind that none of the returning 212 Democratic lawmakers were "read in" on the lightning-like changes. Biden made up his mind to withdraw Saturday and shared his decision with only a few in his inner circle before going public Sunday.

Harris seized the moment hours afterward to say she was in the race to "earn and win" the nod to be the Democratic standard-bearer in the August convention.

In a sense, Harris was speaking straight to House Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi, who had gently pushed Biden over the edge. Harris did not want to be next in her sights.

The party elder, Pelosi, seemed to favor an open contest or mini-primary to test the several strong talents on the Democratic bench of governors. Among them are Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania), Gavin Newsom (California) and Andy Beshear (Kentucky).

Newspaper editorials agreed, urging potential candidates to, as David Von Drehle of The Washington Post wrote, "make their cases and ... show what they are made of."

If Pelosi could have orchestrated such a standoff in her subtle and expert style, she would have. She scouted the scene and then declared her support for Harris was "official, personal and political."

When Pelosi had spoken in her favor, chalk that up as a huge win for Harris over the other history-breaking woman leader from San Francisco. That meant the battle was won and done.

Never ever have we seen Democrats come to a consensus and agree on anything so readily without a demur, debate or even a briefing. Each had to walk into the ornate Speaker's Lobby with a smile and assure the press that enthusiasm for Harris was "high," as one put it to me -- without a chance to consult their colleagues.

The irony of singing on the same sheet at such a major turning point was not lost on those who think of Democrats as lacking team discipline. In fact, it was Pelosi who instilled and enforced party unity during her years as House speaker.

The poor Biden debate showing was a near-death experience for desperate Democrats and their wealthy donors, such as actor George Clooney, who declared the president is far from his former vigorous self. Meanwhile, the attempt on Trump's life at a July 13 rally was literally a near-death experience.

Both parties had stunning reversals of fortune in July. A convicted felon, Trump escaped sentencing on July 11 and had his classified documents case dismissed.

At the Republican convention, party faithfuls embraced Trump with religious fervor. His sharp-tongued running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, looks like a young Lincoln, so said Trump. Whatever.

Many of my friends are falling in political love with Harris. Certainly, she's much more polished and proficient than she was midway into her term, finding her voice and place in the administration on reproductive freedom. Her laugh comes across as an awkward crutch at times.

Americans may not feel they have a fix on her personally, but then again Biden lacks a ton of charisma. Harris has already unleased an outpouring of energy and will likely bring solid blocks of Black and younger voters to the polls.

My fear is that Trump will mock and belittle Harris, amplifying bigotry against Blacks and women: just what he did to former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

My friends say that game is up -- and that Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania will never let him win those battlegrounds again.

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The author may be reached at JamieStiehm.com. To find out more about Jamie Stiehm and other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, please visit creators.com.

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