Kamala Harris: The Uninspiring Insider Against Trump

Kamala Harris's potential presidential run faces significant hurdles in igniting the passion and inspiration needed to overcome the formidable Trump.

Jul 22, 2024

The Facts:

Becoming the presidential nominee of one of America's two major political parties can happen in two ways: rising up as an insider, using a family name, long congressional tenure, or powerful mentorship, or winning as an outsider through charisma and chutzpah. Kamala Harris, the clear front-runner to become the Democratic nominee, belongs to the first camp. Harris is a creature of institutional politics, not a visionary or ideologue. Her political shaping was influenced by California's quirky and fluid politics. In the 1990s, she dated Willie Brown, a Democratic kingmaker 30 years her senior, who helped launch her political career. She later won elections as a prosecutor by appealing by being right of center on policing and justice issues, before changing positions on issues as her party moved left.

For her 2020 presidential campaign, Kamala Harris had a promising start, with a large crowd of 20,000 supporters at her announcement in Oakland, California. Her biracial identity evoked the appeal of former President Barack Obama, but she was unable to replicate his success. Transitioning from state to national politics proved challenging for Harris, as she struggled to master policy questions that dominated the Democratic debates, and she faced attacks from both the left and center of the party.

Harris's campaign against Trump would face significant challenges, including a very late start and her party's recent chaos. While effective in debates and hearings, she struggled as an extemporaneous speaker during her failed 2020 presidential bid. She would also have to answer for the Biden administration's unpopular record, including on immigration, where she has been tasked as the "invasion czar" on the issue.

However, there are people within the Democratic Party who may not see Harris as the best candidate to take on Donald Trump, and this could lead to a "civil war" within the party.

"I know there are people working behind the scenes who think she may not be the best one suited to take us to victory," said Maria Cardona, a member of the Democratic National Committee's rules panel, speaking before Biden's withdrawal.

A Harris sequel in a future presidential campaign would look very different, as she would be buoyed by a Democratic Party desperate to defeat Trump and likely inherit parts of Biden's successful campaign infrastructure. If nominated, expect an emotive Hollywood-produced reboot of her biography and achievements as a barrier-breaking Black and Asian woman.

The View:

Kamala Harris is a consummate insider in the world of institutional politics, lacking the visionary qualities or ideological fervor that often captivate American voters. Her political trajectory, shaped by the quirky and fluid nature of California's political landscape, has been marked by opportunism and a willingness to adapt her positions to the shifting tides of her party. While her authentic background as the daughter of immigrant civil rights activists could have been a powerful asset, Harris has struggled to define herself on the national stage, relying instead on the expected emotive reboot of her biography.

If nominated, Harris would face an uphill battle against the formidable Trump, needing to unite her party, fire up voters, and counter Trump's attacks in a way she has not previously displayed. To address this, Harris would need to directly address attack lines from Trump and his allies on issues like immigration, and develop a fresh, ambitious domestic policy agenda that could resonate with voters.

A Harris sequel would need to be a virtually error-free sprint to Election Day, a feat that seems increasingly daunting given the challenges she would face. Ultimately, Harris's path to the White House, should she be nominated, appears fraught with peril. Her brand of institutional politics, while familiar and comfortable for some, may struggle to ignite the passion and inspiration needed to overcome the formidable obstacles that lie ahead.

TLDR:

Kamala Harris is a creature of institutional politics, lacking the visionary qualities or ideological fervor that often captivate American voters.
Her political trajectory has been marked by opportunism and a willingness to adapt her positions to the shifting tides of her party.
Transitioning from state to national politics proved challenging for Harris, as she struggled to master policy questions and faced attacks from both the left and center of the party.
Harris's campaign against Trump would face significant challenges, including a very late start and the Biden administration's unpopular record.
There are concerns within the Democratic Party that Harris may not be the best candidate to take on Donald Trump, which could lead to a "civil war" within the party.
To address these challenges, Harris would need to directly address attack lines from Trump and his allies, and develop a fresh, ambitious domestic policy agenda that could resonate with voters.
Ultimately, Harris's path to the White House appears fraught with peril, as her brand of institutional politics may struggle to ignite the passion and inspiration needed to overcome the formidable obstacles that lie ahead.