Where the GOP seeks obedience, Democrats need some unity. I’m inspired by the UK and France resisting extremism, and I feel like that’s the energy that Kamala Harris would potentially unlock for the U.S. in this political moment.
Without mom-fear clouding my brain, strategically I think that Democrats are sitting on a huge opportunity to roll her out on the top of the ticket.
If someone wants to try to convince me otherwise, go ahead, but here are some pluses I see to her candidacy.
I was expecting the Biden of the SOTU to show up for the debate and was, like most people I know, EXTREMELY ALARMED that a different Biden showed up. I don’t see how Democrats could possibly win if they stay the course, and I’m pinning my hopes on a massive pivot. Democrats need a rebrand, lickity split.
My pitch for Kamala for President:
1. She has clear oratory and can change her tone from empathetic to fiery.
2. People may not connect with her now because they haven’t been listening to her <and we can point fingers at the administration for not featuring her more>, but once she takes the global stage she can SPEAK. (I frequently think that oratory is one of the strongest talents a politician can have and one of the only things can can break through a constant stream of noise from pundits, memes, and Trump’s LIES.)
3. All eyes and ears would be on her on the global stage. More people listening to her would be great because she can take the gloves off and attack Trump like she knows how to do. (Too often, women don’t really get the mic, except in majority-women spaces, but a good orator is a good orator and they won’t be able to tune her out.)
4. Her face is very expressive, so you get a sense of what she’s thinking when she’s in an interview or in a debate, which can help voters see her humanity and connect with her emotionally, which they will have to do in record time if they are unfamiliar with her.
5. She’s energetic and upbeat, and that tends to raise the energy of others. (Reminds me of Obama’s “Fired up! Ready to go!”)
6. She can carry the message that she will fight for abortion rights. (Is this not a #1 issue that can unify Democrats?)
7. I think the abortion issue can also, if effectively messaged, peel off GOP women who won’t speak about their views openly in their communities but would secretly vote for their own rights.
8. She’s been loyal and supportive of Biden, so a transition would be more graceful and smooth inside the White House.
9. She can energize women and women of color
10. She can energize Black voters.
Is she a lighting rod? Yes, but isn’t that also her strength? She a fighter. If she ran with a white male from the South, it might balance some of the tensions from the transition.
I’m about ready to make t-shirts because I cannot handle the next four months without a candidate fighting for us and all of our children and grandchildren.
Let her run on Biden’s record. Perception of a person’s strength and fitness for the office while standing in core Democratic values is everything right now. Years ago people said the future is female.
The future is now, man!
Élan Young 