Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

zanana1

(6,205 posts)
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:29 AM Feb 2024

Why do people dislike Kamala Harris?

Alot of people doubt her ability to govern should something happen to Joe Biden. I've been searching for reasons she'd be a poor candidate but all I've found are vague opinions. Somebody please give me some specific reasons.
'

141 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why do people dislike Kamala Harris? (Original Post) zanana1 Feb 2024 OP
Back in 2020, an interviewee said aocommunalpunch Feb 2024 #1
She is a woman redqueen Feb 2024 #2
Yes, and she is Black. It's below the surface and never admited, but there it is. brush Feb 2024 #105
Yes but we elected Obama redqueen Feb 2024 #111
It's the combination of being Black and a woman...Hillary. brush Feb 2024 #113
Here's one WA-03 Democrat Feb 2024 #3
She has boobs and dark skin. Happy Hoosier Feb 2024 #4
Ding ding ding! AZSkiffyGeek Feb 2024 #84
I don't see why even have to ask that. You see the way women are treated. Walleye Feb 2024 #5
You are so right- BlueGreenLady Feb 2024 #127
The same reason that people believe a fence is a wall. gab13by13 Feb 2024 #6
My take: It's the 'strong woman' thing. They didn't like Hillary, either. It's the, "How dare she!" etc. Joinfortmill Feb 2024 #7
I'm reminded that Hillary won the majority of Democratic votes... brooklynite Feb 2024 #67
I suspect there is a racist and sexist element to it. The reason those on the left don't like her I JohnSJ Feb 2024 #8
This. I don't give them a penny these days. nt The Unmitigated Gall Feb 2024 #10
Haley bashes Harris but is never questioned why. Infuriating. Funtatlaguy Feb 2024 #16
A lazy inept press JohnSJ Feb 2024 #22
This! I have been yearning for someone to ask her why a President Harris would be bad tulipsandroses Feb 2024 #30
It's a Republican primary Shrek Feb 2024 #39
Yes, I've heard that too plus that her laugh is too loud. Geez. 😒 Funtatlaguy Feb 2024 #138
I think some people made fun of Hillary's laugh as well. electric_blue68 Feb 2024 #141
She was questioned once on a radio show Mad_Machine76 Feb 2024 #137
I am constantly noticing this Mad_Machine76 Feb 2024 #136
Because--woman, Democrat, no penis, liberal, female, brown skin, two x chromosomes, California, woman... Timeflyer Feb 2024 #9
This, 100%. n/t Greybnk48 Feb 2024 #17
Nailed it Ferrets are Cool Feb 2024 #29
she is black and Asian plus she is simply smart as hell rurallib Feb 2024 #33
Post removed Post removed Feb 2024 #43
California is a big issue FHRRK Feb 2024 #52
Also, born in Oakland/Berkeley and lived in San Francisco cally Feb 2024 #58
Because the angry man on TV told them to hate her Mysterian Feb 2024 #11
"The reasons she'd be a poor candidate" start with... she was a poor candidate. brooklynite Feb 2024 #12
Disagree on all points. PunkinPi Feb 2024 #19
"that knew they weren't going to clinch the nomination" brooklynite Feb 2024 #21
I'm not sure why you quoted what you did... PunkinPi Feb 2024 #34
I love her as much a you do, but brooklynite is spot on calguy Feb 2024 #44
I think she has way more charisma and is a much better speaker (not talking about the stutter) than Biden. deurbano Feb 2024 #89
No one's saying Kamala sucks calguy Feb 2024 #90
Yes, to everything you've said here. I will Quakerfriend Feb 2024 #128
I suspect the vast majority of people who don't like... Think. Again. Feb 2024 #13
For some it's from the Democratic primary. Basic LA Feb 2024 #14
Yes, I never forgot the debate PatSeg Feb 2024 #26
Did she really laugh and say no when asked yorkster Feb 2024 #31
A long laugh, a short no, and a long laugh. Basic LA Feb 2024 #50
That primary was my primary introduction to her. It wasn't a great first impression. Earth-shine Feb 2024 #68
Later, after she was tapped as the VP candidate, she went on Colbert and he asked her about this. Midwestern Democrat Feb 2024 #71
Right, her post-debate victory tour! Basic LA Feb 2024 #73
I remember that time... cheezmaka Feb 2024 #77
She had a low national profile before Johonny Feb 2024 #15
I agree with everyone who says it's because she is a Black Woman. Fla Dem Feb 2024 #18
Women that seek higher positions are judged JI7 Feb 2024 #20
Here's a clip of Harris going after Biden on busing in 2020 debate. jalan48 Feb 2024 #23
What was so terrible about that? zanana1 Feb 2024 #40
Biden's response was stronger than her claim. RandomNumbers Feb 2024 #132
I don't care that much for her. Ron Green Feb 2024 #24
Or Amy Klobucher marybourg Feb 2024 #36
Or Karen Bass, now our great L.A. mayor Basic LA Feb 2024 #53
She's soft on police reform. limbicnuminousity Feb 2024 #25
A tough prosecutor Basic LA Feb 2024 #54
She may have claudette Feb 2024 #27
Because people like Tucker Carlson, his Daily Caller, and Hillsdale College have been pushing ... Botany Feb 2024 #28
Because the dirtbag MSM is telling them to?? Charging Triceratops Feb 2024 #32
melanin and genitalia The Wizard Feb 2024 #35
Racism and mysogony Johnny2X2X Feb 2024 #37
IDK what she's like in real life but she doesn't come across as very personable but that's never been a problem CrispyQ Feb 2024 #38
And all the male VP's who came before her didn't ascend to the Presidency either. calguy Feb 2024 #45
Well now ._. Feb 2024 #41
I think it is racism along with the nation wide walkingman Feb 2024 #42
I live in San Francisco, so thank you for the kind words! (Which we don't get a lot of lately...) deurbano Feb 2024 #93
Lucky you - If I could afford it I would live there in a NY minute ☮ walkingman Feb 2024 #107
This thread is doing a great job Zeitghost Feb 2024 #46
It's incredibly telling Sympthsical Feb 2024 #64
What is your basis for that claim? I've certainly seen evidence that spooky3 Feb 2024 #78
Oh my god, I have the name totally wrong Sympthsical Feb 2024 #80
Ah yes, I know people like Whitmer. Thanks. Nt spooky3 Feb 2024 #81
I won't support another woman - out of spite JustAnotherGen Feb 2024 #104
If something should happen to President Biden while in office. zanana1 Feb 2024 #124
Do you think that Dems are entirely free of sexism and racism? spooky3 Feb 2024 #76
Of course not Zeitghost Feb 2024 #92
It's not a "small minority." It's most or all of us, although the degree varies. spooky3 Feb 2024 #98
Sorry Zeitghost Feb 2024 #99
Then you need to do research. nt spooky3 Feb 2024 #100
We have had no problem Zeitghost Feb 2024 #101
Similar to why people hated Hillary? LiberalFighter Feb 2024 #47
Ya know, that is probably the #1 reason and I totally did not think of it when I posted. walkingman Feb 2024 #48
The better question is why will Harris never get as many Democrats to support her for President as Hillary did? BeyondGeography Feb 2024 #66
At least on healthcare I don't think it was as much not having a position TheKentuckian Feb 2024 #115
Many successful women are not liked for some reason. I don't understand it. Add in the fact that Kamala is a very beaglelover Feb 2024 #49
Question to everyone who latched onto "because she's a woman" (or Black).... brooklynite Feb 2024 #51
Beat me to it. Basic LA Feb 2024 #56
For the short time she was a candidate, they did. ificandream Feb 2024 #57
No - they didn't like her... brooklynite Feb 2024 #62
This Democratic Voter RobinA Feb 2024 #63
Preferring others was my thought. TheKentuckian Feb 2024 #116
Kamala just isn't getting the attention she deserves. ificandream Feb 2024 #55
As I said above Basic LA Feb 2024 #61
Unfortunately that's what made her very unpopular among many black men.... cheezmaka Feb 2024 #82
Recently I posted a reply about Harris, why I believed that Biden chose her as his running mate. I do not dislike her. elocs Feb 2024 #59
A group of black men threatened him to choose her.... cheezmaka Feb 2024 #83
I had the same thing happen for saying that she doesn't instill confidence Democracy2020 Feb 2024 #109
Woman, intelligence, and dark skin. republianmushroom Feb 2024 #60
For some reason obnoxiousdrunk Feb 2024 #65
She made Brett Kavanaugh cry Retrograde Feb 2024 #69
I wish she was more active and seen hamsterjill Feb 2024 #70
I think she a good and useful vice president for Biden, but I don't care for her as a presidential candidate. tritsofme Feb 2024 #72
What people other than the right? Patton French Feb 2024 #74
I'd happily vote for her and I'd sleep well knowing she was president. But as a candidate... Gidney N Cloyd Feb 2024 #75
She has been the whipping post for Fox News for 4 years. Just like Hillary to doc03 Feb 2024 #79
Obvious response is the obvious answer. Torchlight Feb 2024 #85
Strong, articulate, woman of color. retread Feb 2024 #86
a woman with black skin is always considered extremely divisive by certain types of people. ZonkerHarris Feb 2024 #87
Media blackout. betsuni Feb 2024 #88
Even beyond the racism/sexism, historically all VPs start to lose popularity from Day One Bucky Feb 2024 #91
Her voice is grating pfitz59 Feb 2024 #94
Is that a joke? They used to say that about Hillary...when she was running against Bernie! deurbano Feb 2024 #96
They say that about every woman in public life Hekate Feb 2024 #112
Some may say that about "every woman ... " . I don't. RandomNumbers Feb 2024 #133
I'm not over the moon or anything but she is perfectly acceptable to me. TheKentuckian Feb 2024 #95
This article mentions some reasons that mainly come down to: She can't win, no matter what she does. deurbano Feb 2024 #97
Your Responders Had This Down Solidly By the Time The Roux Comes First Feb 2024 #102
Her skin color? Oopsie Daisy Feb 2024 #103
She's a woman, and she's black Kennah Feb 2024 #106
To the haters, she's the wrong gender, wrong color, wrong party. Like Joe Biden, her profile is too low. Doodley Feb 2024 #108
She's a woman -- like Hillary Clinton minus the daily beatings for 30 years ... Hekate Feb 2024 #110
"Alot of people" doubt her ability to govern should something happen DemocraticPatriot Feb 2024 #114
I don't understand all these posts blaming her unpopularity TexasDem69 Feb 2024 #117
He's not choosing another VP JustAnotherGen Feb 2024 #118
You are almost certainly correct TexasDem69 Feb 2024 #119
Question JustAnotherGen Feb 2024 #123
The first 3 words of your post were more than sufficient to explain. retread Feb 2024 #120
Very witty TexasDem69 Feb 2024 #121
I've met with Biden's campaign manager...he's running with Harris brooklynite Feb 2024 #139
News to me. nt BootinUp Feb 2024 #122
I think she's great. Also she gotten much better recently in her speeches and gained incredible experience. LymphocyteLover Feb 2024 #125
Woman. Of color. The end. Scrivener7 Feb 2024 #126
Multiple reasons most likely SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2024 #129
Who cares if Republicans don't like her. Basic LA Feb 2024 #130
Bad taste. tazkcmo Feb 2024 #131
Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2024 #134
Who exactly is saying they dislike Vice President Harris? Generic Brad Feb 2024 #135
Simple. She's too black. more black than obama dsp3000 Feb 2024 #140

aocommunalpunch

(4,285 posts)
1. Back in 2020, an interviewee said
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:31 AM
Feb 2024

“She police.” I think that sums up a lot of poorer folks’ opinions. I imagine a lot of the rest of her dislike can be attributed to old fashioned racism and misogyny.

redqueen

(115,160 posts)
2. She is a woman
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:33 AM
Feb 2024

Most don't want to discuss this, but we live in a patriarchy and one of the myriad consequences is women are judged far more harshly.

I really feel bad for Hillary. We should never have had that rapist sick fuck in office. But it was so much easier to demonize her because she is a woman.

redqueen

(115,160 posts)
111. Yes but we elected Obama
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:09 PM
Feb 2024

And while a lot of racists didn't vote for him, a decent amount of Republicans crossed over and voted for him. Hillary on the other hand - opposite situation.

Pretty much says it all.

WA-03 Democrat

(3,202 posts)
3. Here's one
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:33 AM
Feb 2024

She is a woman. The hatred of woman is much higher then I ever would guess. No female presidents. Hilary would have been a great one!

Happy Hoosier

(7,721 posts)
4. She has boobs and dark skin.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:34 AM
Feb 2024

That makes some folks "uncomfortable."

I love her. I don't think she'll ever be President, though, and that makes me sad.

Walleye

(32,746 posts)
5. I don't see why even have to ask that. You see the way women are treated.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:37 AM
Feb 2024

It took them 30 years to smear Hillary down. Now they’ve got the playbook, they start right on Kamala, no reason for it. She doesn’t have a dick. Notice the way they deliberately mispronounce her first name. As if they can’t get their mouth around it. Shouldn’t be any surprise since they’ve been calling us the “Democrat party” for 40 years now. They don’t care if everyone knows how stupid they are. That’s their super power

Joinfortmill

(15,311 posts)
7. My take: It's the 'strong woman' thing. They didn't like Hillary, either. It's the, "How dare she!" etc.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:41 AM
Feb 2024

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
67. I'm reminded that Hillary won the majority of Democratic votes...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 02:15 PM
Feb 2024

…in the Primary and the majority of votes ten the general election.

Maybe people thought she had a better track record than Harris does.

JohnSJ

(93,981 posts)
8. I suspect there is a racist and sexist element to it. The reason those on the left don't like her I
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:42 AM
Feb 2024

believe because she was a very effective district attorney, and the "defund the police" crowd doesn't like that.

A lot of this animosity toward her has been unfairly pushed by the illustrious "libural media"

VP Harris is capable and smart. There is no doubt she has been unfairly treated.

Niki Halley's campaign against Biden has played on the racism and sexism of the republicans by saying if you vote for Biden, you are voting for Harris.

Shame on the lazy media.


tulipsandroses

(5,414 posts)
30. This! I have been yearning for someone to ask her why a President Harris would be bad
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:26 AM
Feb 2024

Do you disagree with her on a certain policy?
She needs to be called on this. She’s feeding red meat to the Republican base.

Russia played its part as well. They have been very good at feeding the idiots amongst us with disinformation and divisive rhetoric. There was the “she’s not a real black” narrative that circulated in some spaces.

Someone who knows nothing about her career as Senator or prosecutor, told me he knew she isn’t up to the job because of, wait for it- She laughs too much!

Mad_Machine76

(24,661 posts)
137. She was questioned once on a radio show
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 04:02 PM
Feb 2024

She essentially blamed Obama for division in the country and argued we can’t have that again

Timeflyer

(2,314 posts)
9. Because--woman, Democrat, no penis, liberal, female, brown skin, two x chromosomes, California, woman...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:43 AM
Feb 2024

rurallib

(62,712 posts)
33. she is black and Asian plus she is simply smart as hell
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:30 AM
Feb 2024

She embodies nearly everything the haters have been told to hate.

Response to Timeflyer (Reply #9)

FHRRK

(759 posts)
52. California is a big issue
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:41 PM
Feb 2024

I see comments on DU about CA being a disqualifier.

Pisses me fucking off! TX or the South a DQ for Repubs! HELL FUCKING NO!

So why in the Holy FUCK do we allow the BS Puke meme to take hold!?

cally

(21,612 posts)
58. Also, born in Oakland/Berkeley and lived in San Francisco
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:52 PM
Feb 2024

And a strong, smart black woman! It is terrifying to many.

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
12. "The reasons she'd be a poor candidate" start with... she was a poor candidate.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:48 AM
Feb 2024

It's not that people "dislike" her; it's that she doesn't stand out as a compelling political figure. Regardless of what you think of her background as an AG and Senator, she ran a lackluster campaign for President (was in single digits in the summer of 2019) and gave up before voting started. And as VP, she's failed to find an issue or task that's given her a high public profile.

PunkinPi

(4,932 posts)
19. Disagree on all points.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:56 AM
Feb 2024

2019 was a crowded primary field and she left the campaign at the end of 2019 because she actually cared about paying her staffers, unlike some other candidates that knew they weren't going to clinch the nomination and carried on taking donations.

VP Harris has led the charge on reproductive rights, voting rights, gun violence and more.

She draws crowds wherever she goes and is an inspiring figure, just because the media refuses to cover her (unless some unnamed source is smearing her) doesn't mean she isn't doing her job (and her main job is supporting efforts of the Biden-Harris admin and being ready to take over if something happens to POTUS). The demands made of her have never been made of the long line of white men who have held the same position. Biden's accomplishments as POTUS are as much hers.

She is also an historic first as VP and her representation matters to a lot of folks, perhaps just not you.

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
21. "that knew they weren't going to clinch the nomination"
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:04 AM
Feb 2024

She wasn't going to clinch the nomination, because her public support didn't get into double digits.

And it doesn't matter what * you * think of her accomplishments. The average voter who doesn't hang out on political blogs doesn't know and isn't impressed by her record or accomplishments as VP.

Favorability:
Approve 36.4%
Disapprove: 52.8%

PunkinPi

(4,932 posts)
34. I'm not sure why you quoted what you did...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:32 AM
Feb 2024

but she was self-aware enough of her standing in the polls in 2019 to recognize that she wasn't going to win the nomination and she wanted to make sure her staffers were paid. That should be an admirable thing.

I would contend that if the media accurately covered her as VP, they would see what she was doing and her accomplishments. Your "hanging out on political blogs" hasn't seemed to help you realize her accomplishments either.

And her favorability is currently in line with Biden's:




And ultimately Biden opinion of the job she is doing is more important than yours...




calguy

(5,557 posts)
44. I love her as much a you do, but brooklynite is spot on
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:58 AM
Feb 2024

She's just not an effective national candidate. For all her positive points and accomplishments, she lacks the charisma it takes to run a national campaign.

deurbano

(2,934 posts)
89. I think she has way more charisma and is a much better speaker (not talking about the stutter) than Biden.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 05:56 PM
Feb 2024

And while I was initially pissed off 2020 was going to come down to two older white guys, I think Biden has been a fantastic president–especially given the severe constraints imposed by a Republican Supreme Court, and the lack of (or slim) majorities in the House and Senate– and one of his best and very reassuring (to me) decisions as the presumptive nominee was to choose Harris for VP. She was masterful in her questioning (Kavanaugh, etc.) as a senator, and she was/is a big supporter of domestic workers' rights, an issue close to my heart... and she just seems extremely attractive and intelligent, but also very relatable, savvy about modern culture, warm and passionate, with a good sense of humor. I understand why Republicans don't like her, but not Democrats. Was Joe considered a better VP? I don't remember hearing that much about him, one way or the other, but all we hear is how much Kamala sucks.

calguy

(5,557 posts)
90. No one's saying Kamala sucks
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 06:18 PM
Feb 2024

We all love her, but unfortunately, for one reason or another, she lacks the charisma to attract a majority of voters to make it on the national stage. I'm sure she'll run in four years, so we'll see if she's figured out how to run a successful national campaign in a field of other democratic hopefuls. Her time, if it is to come, is still four years away.

Quakerfriend

(5,520 posts)
128. Yes, to everything you've said here. I will
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 11:02 AM
Feb 2024

say, however, that since she’s been VP she seems to me to be uncomfortable in her own skin.

This is just imo. I never saw her in this way before she took office.

She is so smart & so beautiful but, now when I listen to her speak I feel an inauthenticity comes across. I know it’s hard to portray a sense of calm confidence when you are always being monitored by the media. I just wish she could just be herself because I know she would be an excellent President.

Think. Again.

(12,563 posts)
13. I suspect the vast majority of people who don't like...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:11 AM
Feb 2024

...Vice President Harris are rightwingers who would say they don't like any Democratic politician.

I personally haven't heard any legitimate doubts about her ability to lead, after all, she's a major player in an extremely successful presidential administration.

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
14. For some it's from the Democratic primary.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:11 AM
Feb 2024

When, during a debate, she turned to Biden and said, "Joe, I know you're not a racist..." then accused him of being a racist for not supporting forced school bussing back in the day.
That stunt pissed off a lot of Dems at the time. After the debate a reporter asked if SHE supported bussing and she laughed and said no. So it was just a campaign gimmick to tar Joe, who had never once been accused of that in his long career, and his years as Obama's VP & friend. I think many were surprised when Biden later chose her for VP. And many in Biden's staff held a grudge.
As for why the Repugs hate her, who knows. But many Dems were slow to forget. Remember her "That little girl was me" T-shirts?

PatSeg

(49,305 posts)
26. Yes, I never forgot the debate
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:16 AM
Feb 2024

and that "campaign gimmick". It didn't go over well at the time. That said, I still felt she would be a good running mate for Biden.

yorkster

(1,961 posts)
31. Did she really laugh and say no when asked
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:29 AM
Feb 2024

if she supported busing? Perhaps it was a more nuanced reply...

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
50. A long laugh, a short no, and a long laugh.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:33 PM
Feb 2024

And then she broke out the T-shirt merch (I was that little girl) which was already printed, pre-stunt.

71. Later, after she was tapped as the VP candidate, she went on Colbert and he asked her about this.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 03:54 PM
Feb 2024

Her response? She just laughed and said "IT WAS A DEBATE!" basically telling the entire country "Of course I didn't actually mean it - I was just acting, Silly!"

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
73. Right, her post-debate victory tour!
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:02 PM
Feb 2024

Hard to discuss here for fear of getting Alerted. But there's more to the Democrat's antipathy than just oh, she's a woman. While that might be true for Repugs, there's more to this.

cheezmaka

(774 posts)
77. I remember that time...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:35 PM
Feb 2024

I also remember that 100 black men (leaders) went to Biden and actually "threatened" him by persuading black voters not to vote unless he nominated Harris. Ironically, many other black men feels she sent "too many Black men" to jail as a prosecutor in California. Personally, I feel that she hasn't been given the platform to exhibit her charisma (only on a few occassions). What's more important is that she has the capability to lead in the event something untimely happens to Biden while in office.

Johonny

(21,431 posts)
15. She had a low national profile before
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:18 AM
Feb 2024

Becoming VP. The media has virtually ignored her the past 3 years other than to criticize her. She's a woman and she's a minority.

Biden is too old, but Harris is too inexperienced. In the make your fucking mind up already media what you want, old experience or an in their political prime candidate? The Democratic ticket has both, but the media just ignorea Harris as a nobody. As if she's Dan Quayle. Something she clearly is not.

Fla Dem

(24,638 posts)
18. I agree with everyone who says it's because she is a Black Woman.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:40 AM
Feb 2024

I'm disgusted "they" (pundits) are already talking about Gavin Newson (Ca Gov who I like) as being the next Dem nominee for president.

From her successful stints as Ca Attorney General and US Senator and now as VP, she has shown she would be an extremely successful, capable POTUS. To outright disregard her because of her sex and ethnicity is reprehensible.

JI7

(89,749 posts)
20. Women that seek higher positions are judged
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:57 AM
Feb 2024

negatively. And she is black also which adds to it.

You can see this even with Republicans and how Palin was treated compared to Trump. Palin deserved all the criticism she got but people didn't hold Trump to the same standard.

0

jalan48

(14,069 posts)
23. Here's a clip of Harris going after Biden on busing in 2020 debate.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:07 AM
Feb 2024

I don't think it played well for the public at large and hurt her efforts to gain traction in the primaries.

zanana1

(6,205 posts)
40. What was so terrible about that?
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:45 AM
Feb 2024

Her argument was concise and informed. As far as campaign debates go, that was pretty mild.

RandomNumbers

(17,901 posts)
132. Biden's response was stronger than her claim.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 01:01 PM
Feb 2024

Also, it may be shallow, but her voice is annoying as hell. Lots of voters won't get past shallow.

There are plenty of women leaders with strong, non-annoying voices. I don't know if it is something that can be trained, but it is probably too late for her - if she got a voice coach the press would find out and make hay out of it.

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
54. A tough prosecutor
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:46 PM
Feb 2024

Known in California at the time, rightly or wrongly, as getting long hard prison time for cannabis 'crimes.'

claudette

(3,983 posts)
27. She may have
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:19 AM
Feb 2024

strong liberal beliefs but she giggles when she talks which makes her sound unserious. Public speaking doesn’t seem to be her forte. She was great as a Senator when questioning people at hearings

Botany

(71,213 posts)
28. Because people like Tucker Carlson, his Daily Caller, and Hillsdale College have been pushing ...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:23 AM
Feb 2024

…. propaganda that V.P. Harris “fucked her way to the top,” that she really has no real academic
background, and no professional accomplishments too. The K-Bomb scares the other side and
I have no doubt that Russia is in on trying to get her and spreading lies about her.

Johnny2X2X

(20,119 posts)
37. Racism and mysogony
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:40 AM
Feb 2024

Simple as that. Because she is a balck female, she's held to a higher standard than if she were a white male. Think about the buffoons that have been VP like Cheney, Pence, and Quale. She has far surpassed those 3 in terms of effectiveness and competence.

CrispyQ

(37,110 posts)
38. IDK what she's like in real life but she doesn't come across as very personable but that's never been a problem
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:41 AM
Feb 2024

for all the male VPs who came before her. And another thing. She'd make a way better president tomorrow than Mike Pence ever would.

So sick of our media.

._.

(730 posts)
41. Well now
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:50 AM
Feb 2024

Let me see, a female person of color just an aged heart beat away from breaking the biggest glass ceiling on the planet. Popular with the young voters too. Does she make the establishment nervous? Oh my yes. I like her myself.

walkingman

(8,002 posts)
42. I think it is racism along with the nation wide
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:55 AM
Feb 2024

envy that she comes with California. Much like NY most people in fly over country talk disparagingly about both places and have actually never been there. After all is there any place in America as nice as San Francisco? Is there another city in America as dynamic and diverse as NYC?

So along with the systemic racism you have envy. Just my opinion and since I live in Texas the bar is kind of low. ☮

walkingman

(8,002 posts)
107. Lucky you - If I could afford it I would live there in a NY minute ☮
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:44 PM
Feb 2024

The rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated. Culture, beauty, climate, jobs, education, diversity....what's not to like? I visit as often as I can.

Zeitghost

(4,161 posts)
46. This thread is doing a great job
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:16 PM
Feb 2024

Of pointing out why sexist/racist Republicans do not like her.

But it's more difficult under the terms of the DU TOS to discuss why she did so poorly in the 2020 Primary and why she is not considered a shoe in for future open Democratic primaries in 2028 and beyond.

Sympthsical

(9,676 posts)
64. It's incredibly telling
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 01:05 PM
Feb 2024

Last edited Fri Feb 23, 2024, 05:00 PM - Edit history (2)

That Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer are considered the front-runners for 2028.

When the party people - the movers and shakers and big donors - consider the VP as a bit of an afterthought - and they've clearly felt this way since at least 2022 or so - something's up.

But, as you said, it's impossible to discuss in this space.

I liked Harris. She was in my Top 3 in 2020 (Harris, Buttigieg, Warren). But then the campaign imploded. And I like her a bit less than I used to. For me it was what went on in her campaign, and then the high staff turnover once in office. Those things tell you a bit about someone's working personality - not the one exhibited on camera.

At the end of the day, all I can say is I really liked her as my senator. Still would if she had continued with that. But in 2028, I predict the Democratic Party will look past her. And it won't be because of her gender (see: Whitmer being considered a strong contender).

Edit: I wrote Meg Whitman originally.

spooky3

(35,064 posts)
78. What is your basis for that claim? I've certainly seen evidence that
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:36 PM
Feb 2024

Newsom is recognized (probably because he’s taken steps to put himself “out there”, eg, debating De Santis) but I’ve seen/heard nothing about Whitman.

Sympthsical

(9,676 posts)
80. Oh my god, I have the name totally wrong
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:58 PM
Feb 2024

Yikes, that is certainly a neural moment. And it's not the first time I've transposed those two names.

I meant Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer - not Meg Whitman.

I'm going to edit that one. Thanks for pointing it out.

JustAnotherGen

(32,710 posts)
104. I won't support another woman - out of spite
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 08:02 PM
Feb 2024

I'm being honest. It is what it is. So I will deliberately go ovaries to the walls to get some white guy the nomination.

There won't be another woman with her experience in 2028. So if a white guy wins it - I'll support him out of spite.

zanana1

(6,205 posts)
124. If something should happen to President Biden while in office.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 10:32 AM
Feb 2024

That's what I was thinking of, not of a Harris campaign in 1928.

spooky3

(35,064 posts)
76. Do you think that Dems are entirely free of sexism and racism?
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:34 PM
Feb 2024

They aren’t. We have been socialized by the same forces as have non-Democrats. I think most of us try harder to recognize our biases and overcome them than do Republicans, but biases exist.

Zeitghost

(4,161 posts)
92. Of course not
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 06:44 PM
Feb 2024

But it's a small minority and would not be significantly influential in picking candidates.

spooky3

(35,064 posts)
98. It's not a "small minority." It's most or all of us, although the degree varies.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:48 PM
Feb 2024

Bias is not binary; it's on a continuum. And a lot of it is unconscious bias.

There is lots of research on this. Check it out.

Zeitghost

(4,161 posts)
99. Sorry
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:50 PM
Feb 2024

I do not believe that most or all Democrats are racist/sexist enough to not nominate a woman of color.

Do we all have bias, sure. But not the blatant bigotry required to never support a quality candidate because of their gender or skin color.

Zeitghost

(4,161 posts)
101. We have had no problem
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:52 PM
Feb 2024

Nominating and electing women and minority candidates to all manner of elected office, including the Presidency.

LiberalFighter

(52,727 posts)
47. Similar to why people hated Hillary?
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:19 PM
Feb 2024

Mainly because she is a woman and didn't have any other reasons to hate?

walkingman

(8,002 posts)
48. Ya know, that is probably the #1 reason and I totally did not think of it when I posted.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:26 PM
Feb 2024

What's up with that?

BeyondGeography

(39,561 posts)
66. The better question is why will Harris never get as many Democrats to support her for President as Hillary did?
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 02:05 PM
Feb 2024

From the perspective of this Democrat, those two are in totally different leagues.

I didn’t always agree with HRC on the issues but nobody in the party, male or female, was stronger in terms of knowing the issues and being able to articulate them. If you didn’t respect HRC for that you had other issues.

As for Harris, in 2020 it was hard to tell where she even stood on certain issues because she wasn’t always so sure herself. To me, she was simply not ready for primetime on basic matters like health care. She gave the impression of someone who just hadn’t done the heavy lifting. As a career prosecutor she deserved some slack on that, but she came across as not being curious enough to at least learn the basics before she stepped on a debate stage.

TheKentuckian

(25,376 posts)
115. At least on healthcare I don't think it was as much not having a position
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:47 PM
Feb 2024

as not wanting piss to off the money people and/or being forced into the Warren/Sanders lane so the resulting dancing around led to projecting uncertainty rather than the actual not wishing to be forthright that she wanted to go single payer.

Her only plausible path was to run in the mainstream lane even if she was inclined to more left than being a former prosecutor usually may infer but you carry the grievance no matter what and it is hard to consolidate the black vote if you get caught up in a leftier than thou battle and be taken seriously, especially being black.

beaglelover

(3,807 posts)
49. Many successful women are not liked for some reason. I don't understand it. Add in the fact that Kamala is a very
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:28 PM
Feb 2024

successful non white woman, and it increases the unlikeability for many people. It's very depressing.

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
51. Question to everyone who latched onto "because she's a woman" (or Black)....
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:37 PM
Feb 2024

...what's your explanation as to why Democratic voters didn't support her in 2020?

ificandream

(9,789 posts)
57. For the short time she was a candidate, they did.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:52 PM
Feb 2024

I know I liked her. And I especially liked it when Biden had the guts to make her his vice president after she was critical of him in the debates. She'd make a great president.

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
62. No - they didn't like her...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:57 PM
Feb 2024

She was continually polling 5-8% until she dropped out.

By comparison, Elizabeth Warren (I'm reliably informed she's a woman) was polling 15-20%

RobinA

(9,997 posts)
63. This Democratic Voter
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 01:02 PM
Feb 2024

didn't support her in 2020 because I didn't think she could beat Trump. Since Trump appeared I support electability above all. Once he's gone maybe I can go back to voting for candidates I like. Actually, that's not completely true. I've always liked Biden.

TheKentuckian

(25,376 posts)
116. Preferring others was my thought.
Sat Feb 24, 2024, 12:00 AM
Feb 2024

I wasn't a supporter but it wasn't because I found her unacceptable or was actively and specifically opposing her.

I guess the folks that have problems rather than just other preferences should clear it up.

ificandream

(9,789 posts)
55. Kamala just isn't getting the attention she deserves.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:50 PM
Feb 2024

I think once we get into the heart of the campaign, she will. Californians know and love her.

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
61. As I said above
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:55 PM
Feb 2024

She was known here as a "cop's" prosecutor who sought long sentences for recreational marijuana use. I don't remember a time when she was widely loved.

elocs

(22,851 posts)
59. Recently I posted a reply about Harris, why I believed that Biden chose her as his running mate. I do not dislike her.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 12:53 PM
Feb 2024

My reply was deleted with a warning about posting negative comments about a Democrat. So, pass.

cheezmaka

(774 posts)
83. A group of black men threatened him to choose her....
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 05:07 PM
Feb 2024

It was rumored that Biden was going to choose Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan as a running mate. However, if Biden didn't choose Harris then they promised that he would risk losing much of the support of the Black vote...

Democracy2020

(178 posts)
109. I had the same thing happen for saying that she doesn't instill confidence
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:22 PM
Feb 2024

Lots of first amendments rights being challenged in this forum

Retrograde

(10,376 posts)
69. She made Brett Kavanaugh cry
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 03:28 PM
Feb 2024

She's an educated, articulate, forceful person who happens to be a woman. Her behavior and positions would be acceptable if only she had a Y chromosome. And not only is she from California, she's from the worst part of it - liebrul San Francisco, which is full of those people. Never mind that she moved to Southern California when she married. And she dated Willie Brown before that (well, no one's perfect).

I admit I'm biased, since she sent me a nice email when she resigned from the senate to become vice president (ok, she sent it to several million of her constituents, but it's the thought that counts).

hamsterjill

(15,410 posts)
70. I wish she was more active and seen
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 03:32 PM
Feb 2024

Yes, there is certainly the sexism element, but in my opinion, Vice President Harris has been largely unseen during the term. Perhaps that’s not her fault. I don’t know. But as she is certainly a strong and accomplished woman, I would like her to make SURE she is seen and acknowledged for her contributions to the administration. She needs more visibility.

tritsofme

(17,890 posts)
72. I think she a good and useful vice president for Biden, but I don't care for her as a presidential candidate.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 03:57 PM
Feb 2024

I prefer potential candidates like Newsom, Shapiro, or my early favorite Gretchen Whitmer.

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,847 posts)
75. I'd happily vote for her and I'd sleep well knowing she was president. But as a candidate...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:18 PM
Feb 2024

...as a candidate I just find her uncharismatic and uninspiring. And I like winning.

doc03

(35,935 posts)
79. She has been the whipping post for Fox News for 4 years. Just like Hillary to
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 04:47 PM
Feb 2024

drive her numbers down.

Torchlight

(3,803 posts)
85. Obvious response is the obvious answer.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 05:16 PM
Feb 2024

Less obvious answer still comes easily from hearing trolls who attempt to trivialize or minimize it as such.

betsuni

(26,625 posts)
88. Media blackout.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 05:51 PM
Feb 2024

Before running for president she hadn't been a senator that long, didn't have national recognition. With no media coverage she has a hard time improving popularity. She's having to go directly to people and since it's a hell of a large country, this is very difficult.

I hate to see the disinformation about her career, how she supposedly threw everyone in California in prison and laughed about it or whatever the conspiracy theory is. Same as how Hillary supposedly threw everybody in prison because of the 1994 crime bill and laughed about it while some who actually voted for it and insinuated Hillary was racist were innocent bystanders (it was tried again against Biden in 2020 but it didn't work, he's a guy).

Bucky

(54,680 posts)
91. Even beyond the racism/sexism, historically all VPs start to lose popularity from Day One
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 06:29 PM
Feb 2024

To find an exception you probably have to go back to Teddy Roosevelt.

On top of that, the day any Democratic woman achieves any kind of prominence, the verbal hit squads at Fox & associated wingnut outlets start to go to work on them, tearing down their reputation by slander, innuendo, snark, etc. Happened to Hillary, to Janet Reno, to Loretta Lynch... Hell, they even attacked Michelle Obama who spent her White House years raising her kids, promoting exercise & nutrition, and gardening. Somehow they made that sinister.

They are masters at generating hate. It's their primary political skillset. They're poison to the bloodstream of the nation.

RandomNumbers

(17,901 posts)
133. Some may say that about "every woman ... " . I don't.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 01:04 PM
Feb 2024

But I do agree regarding Kamala.

I also think Trump's voice is exceedingly annoying, and I thought that long before he ran for President. I couldn't understand how people could watch "The Apprentice". Some of the episodes were fun with the contestants, but then reality hit with the toxic boss approach AND that annoying voice.

TheKentuckian

(25,376 posts)
95. I'm not over the moon or anything but she is perfectly acceptable to me.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:22 PM
Feb 2024

She was my 3rd choice the last primary and she hasn't lost or really gained any standing in my eyes.

Those that have really big problems with her may lean racist and/or sexist, not certainly but that is where my mind naturally goes because I'd think she'd rate as at least be okay across the whole coalition.

deurbano

(2,934 posts)
97. This article mentions some reasons that mainly come down to: She can't win, no matter what she does.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:31 PM
Feb 2024

She is too much of this and/or too little of that... ad infinitum. (As a woman... biracial...former prosecutor... from the Bay Area.)

https://nupoliticalreview.org/2023/03/30/the-racist-and-sexist-media-coverage-behind-vice-president-harriss-unpopularity/

The Roux Comes First

(1,352 posts)
102. Your Responders Had This Down Solidly By the Time
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:54 PM
Feb 2024

I read the first ten!! No need to go farther than the nose on our face.

Doodley

(9,540 posts)
108. To the haters, she's the wrong gender, wrong color, wrong party. Like Joe Biden, her profile is too low.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:50 PM
Feb 2024

They needed a team of PR people to put them in the news more, promote their accomplishments, and better define who they are.

Hekate

(92,596 posts)
110. She's a woman -- like Hillary Clinton minus the daily beatings for 30 years ...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:33 PM
Feb 2024

And multi-racial to boot.

But did I mention Kamala is missing something essential?

As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a joke that says it all:
Q: What’s the problem with Joe Biden’s age?
A: She’s Black


 

DemocraticPatriot

(5,410 posts)
114. "Alot of people" doubt her ability to govern should something happen
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 11:32 PM
Feb 2024

Are you basing this on poll results?

She starts out with ALL Republicans voting against her, and at least half of the indies, in these polls, AUTOMATICALLY.
Why? Because she's black, she's a woman, and most importantly for the GQP,
she's the DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENT who "stole" the office from Trump2 ! /s

I am sure that the vast majority of the Democratic party base
does not "dislike" Kamala Harris!

(There may be a tiny portion, probably on the left, who may dislike her background as a prosecutor...)

I do not 'doubt her ability to govern should something happen' to President Biden....

And in any such instance, she would begin surrounded by PJB's team of very capable advisors,
and I presume would draw upon their opinions and experience, as ANYONE would
who had been advanced to the presidency under such circumstances...
I think she is a thoughtful and intelligent person, and thus,
EVERYTHING would be quite all right!---
(especially in comparison to the MAGAt alternatives)


 

TexasDem69

(2,317 posts)
117. I don't understand all these posts blaming her unpopularity
Sat Feb 24, 2024, 12:19 AM
Feb 2024

On her race or gender. She’s simply a bad politician. She hardly had any support among Democrats when she ran for president so let’s not pretend she was super popular at any point. She hasn’t done anything that stands out as VP and I wouldn’t be shocked if Biden chooses a different VP for the next election.

JustAnotherGen

(32,710 posts)
118. He's not choosing another VP
Sat Feb 24, 2024, 03:21 PM
Feb 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/03/kamala-harris-south-carolina-primary-biden-democrats

Biden did visit the Palmetto state last weekend but it was Harris who came to Orangeburg on Friday, meeting faith leaders to discuss issues such as gun violence, prescription drug prices, student debt forgiveness and national unity. She then spoke in a balmy open-air courtyard at South Carolina’s only public historically black college and university (HBCU).

The trip signalled that, despite a tenure clouded by negative headlines and approval rating that often lags behind Biden’s, Harris remains critical to the president’s re-election campaign because of her ability to galvanise Black voters and her sharp messaging on abortion rights, a potentially decisive issue. Many Democrats regard her as an asset rather than a liability.


He will not drop her. She's out there doing God's work to put the fear of Trump in our children, nieces and nephews.

It might be hard to understand - but she's an aspirational figure to black women 18 to 118 . . .

And we ALWAYS vote.
 

TexasDem69

(2,317 posts)
119. You are almost certainly correct
Sat Feb 24, 2024, 04:05 PM
Feb 2024

He’s going to stick with Kamala. He shouldn’t—she’s at best unhelpful and potentially actively harmful to his chances of reelection—but he will.

brooklynite

(96,818 posts)
139. I've met with Biden's campaign manager...he's running with Harris
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 11:07 PM
Feb 2024

Any documentation you see is “Biden-Harris”

LymphocyteLover

(6,000 posts)
125. I think she's great. Also she gotten much better recently in her speeches and gained incredible experience.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 10:35 AM
Feb 2024

SocialDemocrat61

(1,456 posts)
129. Multiple reasons most likely
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 11:12 AM
Feb 2024

I don’t think there is one set reason. It varies by person. For some it’s sexism. For others it’s racism. For some it’s just because she’s a democrat. And for some it’s a combination. There are some on the left who have issues with her time as a prosecutor. And some still mad at her attack on Biden in the debates 4 years ago. And others it’s the Al Franken resignation.

Of course, many people love Harris. But any denying that both racism and sexism doesn’t play a part is denying reality.

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
130. Who cares if Republicans don't like her.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 12:25 PM
Feb 2024

Their biased reasons are obvious. The question is, are there Dem voters & potential Dem voters who are unsure of her? And if so, why?

Response to zanana1 (Original post)

Generic Brad

(14,320 posts)
135. Who exactly is saying they dislike Vice President Harris?
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 03:50 PM
Feb 2024

Are you referring to a particular demographic or voting bloc? Or is this the DU version of Fox New's "some people are saying"?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why do people dislike Kam...