In a stunning turn of events, the entry of Vice President Kamala Harris into the race for the White House has sparked a surge of excitement within the Democratic Party. Democratic lawmakers across the country have reported a significant increase in volunteers, online donations, and overall enthusiasm since Harris joined the campaign.

Following Harris' announcement, Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee's Michigan campaign office saw an impressive 650 people signing up to volunteer the very next day. In Nevada, Rep. Steven Horsford's Las Vegas-area district experienced another boost, with 600 new volunteers registering to support the campaign. Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean's constituents were described as "fired up," while New Hampshire Rep. Annie Kuster felt a "palpable" enthusiasm among supporters. Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky's team even had 400 volunteers ready to campaign for Democrats in Michigan and Wisconsin.

"The theory of the case is proving true: There's a renewed enthusiasm within the Democratic Party for our candidate at the top of the ticket," said Rep. Angie Craig from Minnesota, who had previously voiced concerns about President Joe Biden's candidacy. Just weeks ago, Democratic lawmakers had expressed fears that Biden's campaign would not only lose the White House but also harm down-ticket candidates. However, this despair has quickly transformed into a surge of political energy with Harris taking the lead.

The impact of Harris' entry into the race can be seen in the sudden influx of women, young people, and voters of color rallying behind Democratic campaigns. The congressional campaign committees for House and Senate Democrats reported historic $1 million days for online donations, illustrating the immense support. Lawmakers have been surprised by the number of people showing up without prompting, eager to lend a hand.

This remarkable turnaround, occurring just over 100 days before the election, has revitalized the party's hopes of reclaiming the House and maintaining their Senate majority. Rather than being seen as a mere defense against Republican efforts, the potential for broader Democratic victories is now within reach, despite Republican claims that the Harris boost is just a temporary surge.

Harris' rise to prominence has also quelled internal party strife, temporarily halting the dissent that had plagued Democrats for weeks. "We're sort of right on the cusp of both existential dread and excitement for making history," said freshman Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico.

The House, in particular, has been shaken by recent events, as concerns about Biden's age and ability to lead after a disastrous debate performance had caused anxiety among party members. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who was the first Democratic lawmaker to call for Biden's withdrawal from the race, now believes that the party has a fighting chance to win.

For those witnessing the surge of energy and enthusiasm, it reminds them of 2008 when a young senator, Barack Obama, generated a new coalition of Democrats, including the support of young millennials. Rep. Horsford, who was among Obama's earliest supporters in Nevada, draws parallels between the vibrant coalition back then and the current outpouring of support for Harris, which he describes as "coming out of the woodwork."

As the campaign gains momentum, Democrats are hopeful that this wave of enthusiasm will translate into electoral success, just as it did in 2008. With Harris at the forefront, they feel their chances of victory have been reignited, giving them renewed hope for the upcoming elections.