AMNA NAWAZ: Well, although Democratic# support for Harris as the nominee seems## to be solidifying, some in the party# still want to see an open convention.

We will get two views on this.

First up is Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas.# He was the first Dem.. President Biden to abandon his reelection bid# and has recently called for an open convention.

Congressman Doggett, welcome back to# the "News Hour."

Thanks for joining us.

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT (D-TX):# So good to join you, Amna.

AMNA NAWAZ: So you have now seen what's# happened in the last 24 hour.. have come back into the fold.

The party# seems to be lining up behind Harris.

You## had previously said that a mini-primary of# some kind would be good for the next nominee,## actually help to strengthen that person.

Do you still want to see that happen?

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: Well, I think# that was the preferable approach.

When I called on President Biden to step aside# three weeks ago, it was in favor of a fair,## open and democratic process.

But I# must say that the 24 hours we have## just gone through have been pretty# amazing.

And there's a question,## if we had such a primary, who else would# be in it besides the vice president?

She has in less than 24 hours raised over $100# million.

She has secured, as you were just## noting in the broadcast, the endorsement of every# person that I have heard of who was a possible## candidate.

And so while I think that process# would have been better, and it would have been## better if we hadn't waited three weeks to get# this to happen, but under these circumstances,## I think it's improbable that we do anything# other than address this at the convention.

I do think there was a reference you just made# to the DNC rules that it would be better.

And## I was involved last week in the effort to try# to ensure the DNC didn't preempt us by doing## this virtual roll call.

It would be better# if the vote was actually at the convention.

My concern has been that we not have something# that just appeared to be a handoff or a decision## made here in Washington by elected officials,# but that we engage the whole country.

And I think## the way that is happening is one delegation by# state after another is beginning to endorse her.

I expect that to happen tonight# in my home state of Texas,## when I participate in the delegation meeting.

AMNA NAWAZ: But, Congressman, if there# doesn't seem to be anyone who's going to## step in to challenge her, and it looks like# all the delegates are lining up behind her,## she's not at that number yet, at 1,976,# but she could be in at least an Associated## Press' unofficial survey so far, why wait# until the convention to get this sorted?

Does it make sense for her as a potential nominee# to have more time as the presumptive nominee?

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: Well, I think if she's# out as the only person seeking the nomination,## it would be pretty clear to# everyone she is our nominee.

The convention is the traditional place for doing# this, and with the 50 state roll call and the## territories.

And so I think that's probably the# best place to do it in the open way.

And I believe## what you're seeing is a tremendous amount of# enthusiasm that was lacking only a few days ago.

We lagged for a year behind President# Trump.

Now we have a fighting chance## to overcome him.

And I think the# enthusiasm, the outreach she will## be doing will really make this convention# an exciting event for people to watch.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, Congressman, is that# as close to an endorsement as we're## going to get from you right now?

You# haven't outright endorsed her yet.

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: Oh... AMNA NAWAZ: Will you?

REP. LLOYD DOGGE.. that there are no other candidates that want to# get into the race.

I don't expect there to be any.

I expect to do an endorsement, along# with others who have not yet joined,## because we think -- and I have always# thought that she'd be an excellent## nominee.

I just felt that it was important# to have a process that allowed any and all## comers who can meet the requirements# of the rules to come and participate.

I anticipated that perhaps some would.# She began with such an advantage## with the endorsement of President# Biden that was so firm yesterday,## and then by great work she's done to win# over apparently every possible opponent,## as well as so many other elected officials,# governors, party officials around the country.

It speaks very well of her and suggests the kind# of effective campaign that she will be running.

AMNA NAWAZ: So tell me more about# that potential campaign here now,## knowing the Republican ticket that she would be# running against with a potential running mate.

How do you think she can best run that# campaign?

What's the message she needs## to go out with if she's confirmed as the nominee?

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: Well, first... AMNA NAWAZ: And who do you think would be a good running mate for her to# help shore up that message?

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: First, she can point to the# accomplishments of the last three-and-a-half## years, significant accomplishments that both# she and President Biden had a big hand in.

Second, I think she will point to the issues# that really are touching families these days,## the economic issues and how she will respond# to those, as well as the very important issue## of our freedoms, particularly the# freedom of health care for women,## but the freedom of all of us that could# be suppressed if Donald Trump and his## gang take over our government, having admired# foreign dictators of the type of Viktor Orban,## and seeming to have some affinity# for Hitler and Hitler's generals.

That kind of authoritarian approach is quite# a turn from the democracy we have enjoyed,## and that's very much what's at stake.# It'll also be interesting that we have the## youthful candidate now in this race.

I believe# President Trump will be the oldest nominee of## any political party in American history, and# our candidate is more of a new generation.

And I expect that her vice# presidential candidate will## be a part of that -- nominee will be part of# that.

As far as vice presidential selection,## she has so many to choose from.

You have# listed several of them, the most prominent.

I think the overriding consideration will be# who can help us in those battleground states,## because this is still a very close race, and,# frankly, I think it's an uphill race, where## Donald Trump has the advantage right now, but# we have new tactics that are obviously creating## great challenges for the Republicans, as they# desperately talk of lawsuits and other claims.

It's really just an indication that they# don't know how to handle a candidate with## the talent and ability to excite voters# that Vice President Harris represents.

AMNA NAWAZ: That is Congressman Lloyd# Doggett of Texas joining us tonight.

Congressman, thank you for your time.# Always good to speak with you, sir.

REP. LLOYD DOGGETT: Thank you so much.