A week removed from President Biden’s disastrous debate performance, his political fortunes appear to be deteriorating by the day.
His poll numbers are falling. Donald Trump gloats. Democrats are in a general panic about the future, with some feeling cheated by the president’s handlers and angry that his inner circle appears to be blaming everyone but themselves for last week’s drubbing.
Now it all comes down to two questions: Will Biden drop out of the race? So who will take his place?
The answer to the second question should be obvious—the Vice President, of course.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on criminal justice reform at the White House in March.
(Kent West Village/AFP/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris was chosen by the people as the official successor to the 81-year-old president if he is unable to fulfill his duties, so it stands to reason that she will be next in line, just as Biden succeeded Barack Obama. Harris has served in the U.S. Senate, as California’s attorney general and previously as San Francisco’s attorney general. Clearly she has experience. As for her debate skills – she’s a former prosecutor. Trump is a convicted felon. What more could you ask for in this electoral cage fight?
However, Harris, 59, will have a hard time replacing Biden. Discussions among pundits and laypeople about the vice president’s selection often begin with silence because of the widespread and unfounded perception that she is an unpopular candidate. Then there was a longer conversation about Gavin Newsom. Or Gretchen Whitmore. Or Josh Shapiro.
I honestly don’t know if Harris can win in November, or if she is truly the best candidate to lead this country out of the destruction that a Trump victory will surely bring. What I do know is that Harris faces a higher standard because of her gender and race. To deny her outright as a serious alternative to Biden is irresponsible, not to mention sexist and racist, and highlights the double standards faced by women and people of color — especially those at the top of their profession.
The other side of the coin is an acknowledgment that America is not ready for a female president, let alone a woman of color. Endorsing Harris means trusting voters in their ability to defy centuries of tradition and prejudice, a dangerous move in an election where the stakes are extremely high.
But it might not be as dangerous as it seems. A new CNN post-debate poll of registered voters shows Harris would be ranked No. 1 in the race against Trump more than Theoretical candidates — Newsom, Shapiro, Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg — are far ahead of Biden.
Despite evidence that Harris is a viable option, she remains dogged by entrenched criticism from the 2019 Democratic primary campaign. The news media often described her as cold, distant, and unlikeable.
Called the Hillary Clinton Dilemma. Powerful women have an impossible line, especially in public-facing roles. They must give orders but not be too demanding. Don’t appear too emotional, but don’t appear distant either. Don’t fight back too hard, but don’t give in too easily (I’m reminded of “Barbie’s” monologue). Walk a tightrope between strong leadership and agreeable friendliness (in heels) because qualifications and abilities alone are not enough.
Democrats and swing voters, you’re never going to get everything in a package. True, Harris looked uncomfortable at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but she was at home interrogating a sweaty, nervous Mark Zuckerberg or a gaping Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. And what we need most now is a warrior.
Harris is a formidable debater. Think back to the 2019 Democratic primary debate, when she certainly corrected Biden’s record on desegregation. In a debate with then-Vice President Mike Pence the following year, she deftly called out Pence’s hypocrisy when he accused Democrats of packing the courts: “You know the 50 people appointed by President Trump Are any of the lifelong Court of Appeal judges like this? “This is what they’ve been doing. You want to discuss how to organize the court, let’s discuss it. Boom!”
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she challenged Trump’s then-Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearing on protecting reproductive rights. “Can you think of any law that gives the government the power to make decisions about men’s bodies?” she asked.
Kavanaugh paused before answering, “I’m happy to answer a more specific question.”
“Male and female,” Harris replied. After some back and forth, Kavanaugh acquiesced: “Senator, I don’t think about anything right now.”
Trump later complained about how unfair she was: “Her attitude was horrific to a horrific degree…The way she’s treating Justice Kavanaugh now, I won’t soon forget that.” You can bet that, except for that “nasty” He would rather fight anyone but “a woman”.
It’s very fair to talk about Harris’ election. She should be watched as closely as anyone else because her name would be floated as a possible contender if Biden drops out of the race. But simply assuming she’s not the right candidate without a deeper exploration of her strengths and weaknesses is unfair to someone of Harris’s accomplishments.
