Monday, March 18, 2024

Is Joe Biden’s Best Pick for Vice President Kamala Harris?

Joe Biden & Kamala Harris (getty)

*Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is expected to name a committee to vet potential running mates next week, and the former vice president has reportedly committed to picking a woman. 

Michael Gordon, Opinion Columnist for Business Insider — and a longtime Democratic strategist — believes Biden’s best vice presidential option is Kamala Harris

Meanwhile, a myriad of concerns blocked Harris from winning over Black voters during her own bid for presidency. Most especially, Harris’ record as a prosecutor bothered many Black voters, especially Black men.

However, in an OPINION piece for the Business Insider, Gordon breaks down why Harris is the perfect woman to “contrast” Biden’s style and “bring the Democratic party together.”

Check out his case for Kamala Harris below.

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human rights dinner (03-30-19) - kamala harris

This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed below are those of author Michael Gordon. 

The case for Kamala

Kamala Harris has strong appeal among both moderates and progressives, which has no doubt contributed to her polling as the top VP choice. Moreover, as the only black female presidential contender, she represents arguably the most influential voting bloc for the Democratic party. 

And with her proven track record and level-headedness, she makes a strong case to be a good president on day one – a consideration that will likely be a greater factor in the battle of the septuagenarians.

Harris also would add to the ticket sharp debate skills that can help to keep Trump, the master of distraction and deception, honest. We saw her abilities on full display when she grilled Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings. 

Joe Biden is all too familiar with Harris’s debate deftness: she lanced him on the debate stage last summer. But it’s not uncommon for former rivals to join hands in the general, and it further underscores the party coming together. She would be a happy warrior going up against the wooden, insincere Mike Pence. 

No candidate is perfect, and Harris has her share of red flags. For one, her presidential bid unraveled in part due to poor campaign management and internal turmoil. She also opened herself up to attacks by introducing a less-than-airtight healthcare plan. But Harris has the skill set and integrity to overcome the stumbles that plagued her campaign and be an exceptional veep – and President.

Amplification vs. Contrast

Broadly speaking, there are two theories of VP picks: amplification and contrast. A vice president who amplifies the ticket provides a boost in regions or policies where the presidential candidate already is strong. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a high-visibility amplification option after leading a strong national campaign that demonstrated her political might. But she might not create the right surge that would bring Biden to the Oval. Klobuchar demonstrated strong Midwestern appeal, but Biden is already strong in that region.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a notable contrast candidate who has shown that she can energize Democrats further left from center than Biden’s core. That she struggled to resonate with voters in her home state and adjacent ones may be a red flag. 

The better contrast candidate is Kamala Harris. Harris brings an energy that Biden doesn’t have, and she is respected on all fronts. During her presidential run, she pitched a platform that threaded the needle between left and center and has credibility across the board. She can help to unite a party that needs so critically to be at full strength heading into the general. 

In the absence of a strong amplification candidate or a stronger contrast candidate, Harris should be an easy choice. Biden has said he wants to nominate an African American woman to the Supreme Court, but I hope that does not mean he won’t pick Harris for VP.

Timing the announcement

Traditionally, candidates announce their VP choice right before the Convention. That’s because voters pay more attention to the Convention and focus more on the race as Election Day approaches. 

As it has with all other facets of American life, the coronavirus has upended campaigning and even delayed primary voting in some states. Every day, Biden is losing precious opportunity to meet voters and travel the country – while Trump is governing during a crisis.

American media will be all-consumed with the coronavirus until it is clearly on a downward slope. At the point of the shift, Biden should announce Harris and help bring the country’s attention back to presidential politics. After the announcement, Harris could be out on the stump, doubling the outreach efforts to voters and making up for lost time.

Though it is no longer in the cards for 2020, a female president of the United States is closer than ever. In the immediate term, Kamala Harris is the best option to ensure that the Biden campaign puts an end to our long national nightmare.

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