Kamala Harris: A Defining Moment on the Path to the Presidency

[Social Media]

 

Kamala Harris is about to face the most critical moment of her political career as she steps onto the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week as the party’s presidential nominee. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated, especially considering the journey that has brought her here. For years, many within her own party, including President Joe Biden, whom she has served as vice-president, harbored doubts about her ability to ascend to the highest office in the United States. But as she prepares to accept the nomination, she does so with the knowledge that the very people who once counted her out are now cheering her on.

 

 

At 59, Ms. Harris has endured years of skepticism about her capacity to run for president. This doubt was palpable even within the White House, where she struggled to connect with voters and establish her political identity. Her early years as vice-president were marked by high-profile missteps, staff turnover, and low approval ratings. These challenges fueled the perception that she might not be the natural leader for the Democratic Party, particularly as it remains divided over key issues such as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.

 

Despite these challenges, the last few months have seen a dramatic shift in Ms. Harris's political fortunes. Since replacing Mr. Biden as the Democratic nominee in mid-July, she has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among Democrats. This momentum is evident in rising polling numbers, increased fundraising, and the large crowds that have attended her rallies across the country. However, this enthusiasm was not always a given. Ms. Harris's initial attempts to run for president in 2019 ended in a short-lived campaign that failed to gain traction. She struggled to distinguish herself in a crowded field and to carve out a clear political identity. Critics often accused her of endorsing a range of progressive policies without a strong sense of conviction.

 

 

But in the years since those early setbacks, Ms. Harris has sharpened her political skills, built loyal coalitions within the Democratic Party, and established herself as a credible leader on issues like abortion rights, which energize the party's base. Now, as she prepares to formally accept the Democratic nomination, she has an opportunity to reintroduce herself to the American public. With fewer than 80 days until the election, the stakes could not be higher. The question remains: Can she put to rest any lingering doubts among Democrats and prove that she is the leader who can defeat former President Donald Trump in what promises to be a tightly contested and unpredictable race?

 

Ms. Harris's path to the White House has been anything but straightforward. Before becoming a national figure, she was the district attorney of San Francisco and later the attorney general of California. In these roles, she built a reputation as a rising star within the Democratic Party, even earning the endorsement of President Barack Obama in her 2010 campaign for attorney general. However, her career has not been without controversy. As a prosecutor, she faced criticism for her decision not to seek the death penalty for a man convicted of killing a police officer. Later, as attorney general, she upheld California's death penalty despite her personal opposition to it. These decisions reflected the complex and sometimes contradictory positions she has taken throughout her career.

 

 

Ms. Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate on the same night that Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016. Her tenure in the Senate was brief but impactful, with notable moments like her pointed questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearings. In one exchange that resonated widely, she challenged Kavanaugh by asking, “Can you think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body?” This moment, among others, helped cement her reputation as a tough and ambitious politician.

 

However, her first attempt to run for president in 2019 ended in disappointment. Despite a promising start, her campaign struggled to gain momentum and ultimately collapsed before the first primary votes were cast. Her inability to define a clear political identity and distinguish herself from rivals like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders contributed to her campaign's downfall. As one critic noted, “The substance that needed to be there to pass the commander-in-chief test and to really fill in some of the blanks for voters, it just wasn’t there and as a result her opponents filled it in for her.”

 

Yet, just eight months after ending her presidential bid, Joe Biden chose Ms. Harris as his running mate. In doing so, she became the first woman of color to be nominated for vice president by a major party and, in January 2021, the first female vice president in U.S. history. But her tenure as vice-president got off to a rocky start. Five months into the job, she stumbled during a foreign trip to Guatemala and Mexico, where she was tasked with addressing the flow of migrants to the U.S. southern border. The trip was overshadowed by an awkward interview in which she dismissed questions about why she had not yet visited the border, a response that drew criticism from both Republicans and progressives.

 

 

Ms. Harris’s allies have often pointed to the unique pressures she faced as the first woman, African-American, and Asian-American to hold the vice presidency. These pressures, they argue, contributed to her early stumbles and the high expectations placed upon her from the very beginning. One former aide noted, “There was immense pressure in the beginning to own things,” highlighting the difficulty of navigating such a high-profile role with little time to settle in.

 

Despite these early challenges, Ms. Harris gradually began to find her footing. As her team worked to improve her public image, she took on a larger role in foreign policy, including trips to Poland following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and meetings with Asian leaders amid rising tensions with China. However, it was the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 that truly galvanized her vice presidency. As President Biden hesitated to take a strong public stance on abortion, Ms. Harris seized the moment, becoming the administration's leading voice on the issue. She delivered impassioned speeches defending women's reproductive rights, and her efforts helped energize Democratic voters in the 2022 midterm elections.

 

 

In taking on the abortion issue, Ms. Harris demonstrated a “clarity of purpose” that resonated with many within the party. Her approach to coalition-building across local and state politics laid the groundwork for her eventual presidential run. Every event, meeting, and photo opportunity was carefully planned, with her team tracking these engagements in detailed spreadsheets that she could draw upon when the time came to rally support for her candidacy.

 

For years, Ms. Harris had been preparing for a potential 2028 presidential bid, assuming that Joe Biden would win a second term in 2024. But when Mr. Biden decided to drop out of the race in July, Ms. Harris was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. The decision surprised many of Biden's closest allies, but Ms. Harris wasted no time in consolidating support. Within hours of receiving Biden’s endorsement, she had called more than 100 party officials, members of Congress, labor leaders, and activists. Any potential rivals quickly fell in line, and it became clear that she would secure the Democratic nomination with little opposition.

 

As the Democratic nominee, Ms. Harris has yet to fully outline her policy agenda or face tough media scrutiny. She recently released an economic blueprint that includes tax cuts for families and measures to cap drug prices, but the specifics of her vision for the country remain largely undeveloped. Political strategists suggest that her campaign is right to capitalize on the momentum she has built over the last month, even as Republicans criticize her for avoiding detailed interviews and policy discussions.

 

 

Kamala Harris's rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has been nothing short of dramatic. While she has garnered widespread support within the party, questions remain about whether she can translate that support into broad appeal among the general electorate. Polls suggest that she is competitive with Donald Trump in key battleground states, but the race remains tight and unpredictable. Her speech at the Democratic convention will be a defining moment in her campaign, an opportunity to articulate her vision for the country and address the challenges she will face in the months ahead.

 

Credit: BBC  2024-08-19

 

 

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[georgegeorgia]

Oh what a lovely woman.

I'm glad she will tear down that racist Wall and let in another 10 million into the USA 

I will vote for her 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Ms. Harris’s allies have often pointed to the unique pressures she faced as the first woman, African-American, and Asian-American to hold the vice presidency. These pressures, they argue, contributed to her early stumbles and the high expectations placed upon her from the very beginning. One former aide noted, “There was immense pressure in the beginning to own things,” highlighting the difficulty of navigating such a high-profile role with little time to settle in.

As  candidate for POTUS she needs to be judged on that basis, not as a woman. She won't be able to explain away mistakes because of her gender if she wins the W H. If she can't be a tough as a man she shouldn't be where she is today.

Part of being able to be POTUS is to be able to navigate such a high-profile role with little time to settle in.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Polls suggest that she is competitive with Donald Trump in key battleground states, but the race remains tight and unpredictable.

All of which points to how unlikable she is. If she was as great as the Dem believers say she is, she should be well in the lead. Obviously she isn't that great at all if that flawed man is level with her.

[Jingthing]

She's got the mo.

Keep it up!

[Jingthing]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

All of which points to how unlikable she is. If she was as great as the Dem believers say she is, she should be well in the lead. Obviously she isn't that great at all if that flawed man is level with her.

You don’t like her.

She supports Ukraine. 

Don’t project.

 

 

Edited August 18 by Jingthing

[rattlesnake]

The Democrat voters didn't vote for her.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, rattlesnake said:

The Democrat voters didn't vote for her.

She was on the ticket that they did vote for. Later when the great president Biden decided to not accept the nomination the voted in delegates chose Harris who was unopposed. Fully within the rules of the democratic party nomination process. 

[mdr224]

This first debate will decide everything. Kamala will be in full dont-<deleted>-up mode. She might melt down the same way Biden did when actually up against trump

[Luuk Chaai]

ahhh  the usual US fake news    doing what they do best 

 

[Cryingdick]

15 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

This first debate will decide everything. Kamala will be in full dont-<deleted>-up mode. She might melt down the same way Biden did when actually up against trump

 

Trump is pretty much atrociously bad at debates. Kamala has to remember around five talking points that she can use to spin back to eachother in circles. So if asked about housing prices she begins with something about houses and swoops back to talking about equality or whatever. Just repeats the question and go where ever you want with it.

 

Anything other than a melt down will be a draw. 

[malibukid]

she's a phony. its time we vote Green and put both parties on notice this November

[wombat]

If she carries on like she started you mob are intercoursed 

[proton]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

She's got the mo.

Keep it up!

 

Remind us of her achievements as VP, apart from laughing, talking nonsense and lying about Biden's health.

[mdr224]

1 minute ago, proton said:

 

Remind us of her achievements as VP, apart from laughing, talking nonsense and lying about Biden's health.

Dont forget defunding the police

[RichardColeman]

Should this idiot woman ever become the US president ,it just shows the calibur of American politicians and women 

[morrobay]

17 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Should this idiot woman ever become the US president ,it just shows the calibur of American politicians and women 

Actually it would show what fools about half of the US are for voting her in .

[JonnyF]

The defining moment will be when she starts to do proper interviews and debates.

 

The house of cards will quickly fall when the US public are reminded how vacuous she is. 

[Chomper Higgot]

My goodness she has Trump’s supporters, both foreign and domestic, wound up.

 

 

[mdr224]

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The defining moment will be when she starts to do proper interviews and debates.

 

The house of cards will quickly fall when the US public are reminded how vacuous she is. 

She seems to be winning the polls according to the posters here…maybe the dems should just keep her hidden until election day. Thats Probably the only chance she has of winning

[JonnyF]

Just now, mdr224 said:

She seems to be winning the polls according to the posters here…maybe the dems should just keep her hidden until election day. Thats Probably the only chance she has of winning

 

Worked for Labour in the UK. 

[redwood1]

I prefer the Hyena....

 

 

[Dcheech]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

She won't be able to explain away mistakes because of her gender if she wins the W H. If she can't be a tough as a man she shouldn't be where she is today.

Tough man Donald Trump, when Turkish leader  Erdogan gave him a call, & asked him to betray the Kurds. One of the few US allies during the whole of the WMD Iraq invasion disaster, albeit that poochscrew by a previous Republican president. Sure Turkey had been tacitly allowing ISIS to ship oil, had been funneling refugees through the country to send them on into the EU. Still Donald Trump never met a authoritarian psycho strong man he did not like. When Erdogan called, he jumped & obeyed. Erdogan got all he wanted plus a boot licking.

That is setting the bar extremely low for anyone, let alone a person with a spine.

[CallumWK]

She is loved sooooo much

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/18/dnc-protests-gaza-kamala-harris-00174497

Protesters paused to reconsider opposing Harris at the DNC. They decided on full steam ahead.

There are at least six major protests planned during the DNC in Chicago.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/pro-palestinian-oakland-rally-19661454.php

‘Not Another Bomb’: Protesters in Kamala Harris’ hometown demand DNC action

[morrobay]

How much longer can this card house last. Its bizarre even the Democrats know she is a nobody with lousy record. But they are all worshipping her as the second coming 

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, morrobay said:

How much longer can this card house last. Its bizarre even the Democrats know she is a nobody with lousy record. But they are all worshipping her as the second coming 

Oh no, the ripped memes.

 

Trump’s supporters, both foreign and domestic, are getting seriously worried. 

 

 

[Thingamabob]

My UK bookmakers are now, marginally, offering odds on a Harris win come November. Not so long ago they were forecasting an easy win for Trump over Biden. I reckon this is going to be a very close contest...

[mdr224]

4 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

My UK bookmakers are now, marginally, offering odds on a Harris win come November. Not so long ago they were forecasting an easy win for Trump over Biden. I reckon this is going to be a very close contest...

Not after Kamala actually has to speak..

[JCauto]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

As  candidate for POTUS she needs to be judged on that basis, not as a woman. She won't be able to explain away mistakes because of her gender if she wins the W H. If she can't be a tough as a man she shouldn't be where she is today.

Part of being able to be POTUS is to be able to navigate such a high-profile role with little time to settle in.

 

Tough as a man? LOLOL! You mean like the babyman who couldn't defend his country because of bonespurs? That tough? 

 

You need to move on from where you're currently stuck, which appears to be the 1950s...

[JCauto]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Should this idiot woman ever become the US president ,it just shows the calibur of American politicians and women 

 

What calibur are you? Not the size that can spell, apparently.