Who is Kamala Harris and will Democrats turn to her after Biden’s exit?
President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the US presidential race has significantly altered the dynamics of the 2024 election, leaving the Democratic Party in a state of flux as it seeks a new candidate to oppose Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Vice President Kamala Harris is seen by many as a potential successor, but her candidacy poses unique challenges and opportunities for the party.
Harris as a historic and contentious choice
If the Democratic Party selects Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate, it will be taking a historic gamble. Harris, a Black woman, would face the dual challenges of overcoming both racism and sexism, as well as her own political missteps.
The US has elected only one Black president and never a woman, raising questions about whether Harris can break these barriers.
“Will her race and gender be an issue? Absolutely,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund.
Harris would also have the daunting task of uniting the party and its donors with only three months to campaign before the election.
Kamala Harris’s journey to the vice presidency
Harris’s career began in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before she became the top prosecutor for San Francisco in 2003. She then made history as the first woman and the first Black person to serve as California’s attorney general.
In 2017, she was elected as California’s junior US senator, quickly becoming one of the Democratic Party’s rising stars.
Her 2020 presidential campaign, however, was short-lived due to poorly articulated policies and campaign missteps. It was Biden’s decision to choose her as his running mate that returned Harris to the national spotlight. Gil Duran, her former communications director, remarked on her rapid ascent:
Many people didn’t think she had the discipline and focus to ascend to a position in the White House so quickly… although people knew she had ambition and star potential. It was always clear that she had the raw talent.
Democratic leaders’ concerns and hopes
In the weeks leading up to Biden’s withdrawal, more than three dozen Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns about his ability to win the election due to his age and health.
Harris, who is 59, offers a generational contrast to both Biden and Trump and has been a vocal leader on issues such as abortion rights, resonating with younger voters and the party’s progressive base.
Despite recent praise for her defense of Biden, some Democrats worry about Harris’s shaky first two years as vice president, her brief 2020 presidential campaign, and the persistent issues of racial and gender discrimination in the US.
Approval ratings and intra-party dynamics
Harris’s approval ratings, while low, are slightly better than Biden’s. According to FiveThirtyEight, 38.6% of Americans approve of Harris compared to 38.5% for Biden. However, Harris’s disapproval rating is lower at 50.4% compared to Biden’s 56.2%.
Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the lack of consensus within the party, stating,
If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave that they will support Kamala – Vice President Harris – you would be mistaken.
Historical and social barriers
The US has seen significant milestones in electing Black leaders, such as Barack Obama, but the election of a Black woman remains unprecedented.
Harris, as the first woman and first Black and South Asian vice president, has already faced and weathered numerous attacks related to her race and gender.
Former Harris aide Jamal Simmons noted that while Harris will face racism and sexism, her candidacy could also galvanize Black voters and women.
Harris’s name recognition and established presence offer advantages over potential candidates like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who might struggle to introduce themselves to voters in a short campaign period.
However, her record, particularly on issues like voting rights and migration, has been scrutinized.
Trump’s rhetoric and the political climate
Trump’s history of using racist and sexist language has already targeted Harris. In 2020, he suggested Harris was not qualified to be vice president despite her US citizenship. At a recent rally, Trump mocked Harris’s laugh, calling her “Laughing Kamala.”
Supporters argue that these attacks, reminiscent of the “birtherism” claims against Obama, could backfire and galvanize support for Harris. Cliff Albright, CEO of Black Voters Matter Fund, described this as “birtherism 2.0.”
Harris’s role in the Democratic Party
Harris’s advocacy for reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has raised her profile within the party. Biden credited her with helping to prevent a “red wave” in the 2022 midterm elections.
Her established role as a campaign spokesperson on abortion rights may bolster her standing among voters.
However, some Democrats, like former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile, continue to support Biden and Harris as a ticket, emphasizing party unity.
Others, like retiree Gina Gannon, express frustration with how Biden’s health issues were handled, potentially impacting Harris’s support.
Kamala Harris stands at a pivotal moment in American politics, with the potential to make history as the first Black woman president.
While she faces significant challenges, her candidacy could also energize key voter demographics and offer a sharp contrast to Trump.
As the Democratic Party navigates this period of uncertainty, Harris’s established presence and advocacy on critical issues position her as a formidable contender in the 2024 presidential race.
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