Kamala Harris Is On Strong Footing in Biden's VP Search

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

(Bloomberg) -- Kamala Harris is on even stronger footing in Joe Biden’s search for a running mate as he faces intensifying pressure to choose a black woman in the middle of a national debate over race.

Harris has long been near the top of Biden’s list but as other candidates slip in the eyes of allies and observers, the California senator is increasingly better positioned to be the former vice president’s pick for a job he says he knows more about than anything else, according to Democrats who have spoken to Biden or are familiar with his thinking.

Biden committed in March to naming a woman as his running mate. Some allies suggested right away she should be a woman of color, and since the national protests over the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, the pressure to choose a black woman has increased.

Floyd’s killing and the racial unrest that followed increased the speculation around two other African-American women -- Florida Representative Val Demings, a former Orlando police chief, and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, whose city was hit by protests. But Democrats who have watched Biden’s VP process say neither woman seems to have eclipsed Harris in Biden’s single most-important characteristic for running mate, ability to step into the job of president on Day One.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/kamala-harris-is-on-strong-footing-in-bidens-vp-search/ar-BB15nt1m?li=BBnb7Kz

[TristanIsolde]

1. One criticism I heard about her is that as a prosecuter she espoused a "tough on crime" attitude

that might not rub well with minorities. I don't know, she seems decent enough. My personal opinion is that Warren, despite being white, is a better fit.

Now, if he pick's AOC and she accepts that would be amazing ! That would really energize the progressive branch of the party.

[murielm99]

2. Oh, please.

The woman is divisive, inexperienced and not really doing the job her constituents expect.

[JT45242]

3. This may be the dumbest most illegal thought ever

Ignoring her complete lack of qualification as a first term representative. Let's look to the constitution which makes 35 the minimum age to be the President or Vice president. Born in October 1989 she isn't even old enough to be considered.

[TristanIsolde]

6. oh, ok. Too bad.

[Indykatie]

18. I'm Always Stunned When People Put Forth AOC or Nina Turner As Options For VP

One isn't even able to run if Biden wanted her and the other would cause more than a few folks to lose their sh*t.

[rzemanfl]

21. Bookmarking. n/t

[PunkinPi]

5. Current poll has Harris doing better with Blacks and Hispanics.

[Trumpocalypse]

9. AOC is too young unfortunately.

But you have a point about Harris.

The biggest danger to Harris’ candidacy may come from progressives who increasingly hold sway in the Democratic primary. A blistering New York Times op-ed written by a law professor at the University of San Francisco provides a taste of what’s to come.

“Time after time, when progressives urged her to embrace criminal justice reforms as a district attorney and then the state’s attorney general, Ms. Harris opposed them or stayed silent,” wrote Lara Bazelon. “Most troubling, Ms. Harris fought tooth and nail to uphold wrongful convictions that had been secured through official misconduct that included evidence tampering, false testimony and the suppression of crucial information by prosecutors.”


The essay alleges that Harris remained on the sidelines — or on the wrong side — of justice issues under her authority. It says she ducked out of crucial debates over sentencing reform and that her office pressed for harsh punishment in cases that merited leniency.

Read more here: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/editorials/article224881575.html#storylink=cpy

[PunkinPi]

13. More recent comments by Bazelon

The scathing critique by Lara Bazelon was followed by months of criticism of Harris’ career as a district attorney and state attorney general, thwarting her efforts to win over reform-minded liberals.

But with Harris emerging as a top contender for vice president, Bazelon isn't particularly worried. She now views Harris' law enforcement record as a "net neutral" for the senator.

“I don’t think there’s the interest or the oxygen to relitigate it,” Bazelon said in an interview. “She’s positioned herself in the last couple of years as someone who really is on the right side of these issues and that carries weight.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/07/kamala-harris-biden-criminal-justice-reform-304534

[Trumpocalypse]

15. Still an issue unfortunately

Harris’ record as a prosecutor — which she pitched as a strength in a potential matchup with Donald Trump in the general election, but swung back and forth between emphasizing and deemphasizing as her campaign went on — also bothered some black voters, especially black men.

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/04/kamala-harris-black-voters-2020-075651

Plus Harris doesn’t help put any swing states in play.

[Walleye]

14. She's not even old enough.

Energizing Democrats should not be an issue. An indifferent vote counts just the same as an energized one. If so-called progressives can’t get the energy to vote now, they never will.

[quickesst]

16. considering AOC....

.... as a possible VP candidate is like someone telling a joke, but no one is laughing until the joke teller yells "I'M KIDDING!!"

[TristanIsolde]

19. I don't get it, isn't she a pricipled and progressive politician ?

One who really represents the 99% Wait, do some people on this site not like her ? I thought she was universally liked by democrats.

[quickesst]

20. maybe an analogy

You wouldn't let a 16 year old who just received a learner's permit drive a car on the freeway during rush hour. Doesn't have a whole lot to do with whether you like her/him or not. It's just common sense. Another couple of years or so that might be a different story. Depends on how well he/she learns. Experience counts

[brush]

22. In this climate an all-white ticket would be a disaster for Dems.

And AOC is too young.

[Gothmog]

4. Senator Harris is my first choice

[PunkinPi]

7. Biden/Harris will be a force.

[TristanIsolde]

8. Who are the other contenders ?

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. She's got to be the one.

I can't think of a a better choice.

[Newest Reality]

11. I just have...

I just have a gut feeling about her being a good choice. It is like a sum-total thing.

[cayugafalls]

12. Kamala Harris would be a great VP.

We have to win!

[quickesst]

17. Kamala Harris....

.... Is from a solid Blue State and was barely able to garner 5% of the black vote during the Democratic primary. If I were Joe I would not be so quick to choose someone who actively and dishonestly attempted throw me under the bus during said primary.