When Kamala Harris ascends to the podium at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week as her party’s nominee for the presidency, she will do so with the knowledge that many in the crowd who now laud her once deemed her unfit for such an honor. At 59, Ms. Harris has long been the subject of skepticism from certain quarters within her own party regarding her suitability for the highest office in the land—skepticism that even extended to President Joe Biden, her current superior as vice president. However, since she supplanted Mr. Biden as the Democratic standard-bearer in mid-July, Ms. Harris has witnessed a groundswell of fervor for her candidacy, manifesting in buoyant polling figures, robust fundraising, and throngs of supporters attending her rallies across the nation.
This recent surge of political momentum and enthusiasm among Democrats was far from inevitable. Following an abortive presidential run in 2019, she embarked on her vice-presidency amidst a maelstrom of challenges—missteps in prominent interviews, a revolving door of staff, and tepid approval ratings. Over the past three and a half years in the White House, she has grappled with breaking through to the American electorate. Yet, her advisors and allies contend that these formative trials have honed her political acumen, forged steadfast alliances within her party, and bolstered her credibility on pivotal issues such as abortion rights, which galvanize the Democratic base.
In essence, Ms. Harris has been meticulously preparing for this precise juncture. On Thursday, as she formally accepts the Democratic nomination, she has the chance to reintroduce herself to the national stage with less than 80 days until an election that could elevate her to the nation’s first female president. Concurrently, she must demonstrate her capability to unify a party that has never naturally viewed her as its leader and remains fractious over the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Above all, she must dispel any lingering doubts among the Democratic faithful about her ability to surmount the formidable challenge of defeating former President Donald Trump in what remains a closely contested and unpredictable race.
Kamala Harris’s 2019 Campaign and Its Aftermath
Kamala Harris’s vehement critique of Joe Biden concerning desegregation during a primary debate emerged as a defining moment in her otherwise uninspired 2019 presidential campaign. Yet, the campaign’s eventual demise was attributed to internal strife and vacillation over key issues, which ultimately undermined her bid for the presidency. Kevin Madden, who served as an adviser for Republican Mitt Romney’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, observed, “The campaign was marred by numerous novice errors. The depth and substance necessary to meet the commander-in-chief standard and address voters’ concerns were lacking. Consequently, her adversaries stepped in to fill those gaps.”Eight months later, Biden set aside their prior competition and appointed Harris as his running mate. This historic choice made her the first woman of color to be nominated for vice president, and in January 2021, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first female vice president in American history.A Tumultuous Beginning
Five months into her vice presidency, Harris faced her initial public misstep during a foreign visit to Guatemala and Mexico. The trip was designed to highlight her role in spearheading economic initiatives aimed at mitigating the migrant influx from Central America to the US southern border—a significant foreign policy task delegated to her by Biden. However, the visit was soon overshadowed by an awkward interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt, where she deflected persistent queries about her delay in visiting the US-Mexico border.Later that day, while addressing the media alongside Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, Harris attempted to regain control of the narrative with a stark warning to potential migrants: “Do not come,” she urged. “Do not come.” Although her comments drew harsh criticism from progressives and were swiftly condemned on social media, they echoed sentiments voiced by other administration officials, despite their controversial reception.In a state where female politicians hold substantial sway, what insights can it offer Kamala Harris? Meanwhile, Trump and Harris continue to contend over the most pressing issues of the election. Despite the “weird” label being used to describe her, Harris’s unique approach remains a point of contention and discussion.
