Kamala Harris is flailing after Joe Biden entered the race, so she's pivoting left and punching

[Celerity]

at Trump to widen her appeal

https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-pivoting-left-punching-trump-2019-5?r=US&IR=T

Sen. Kamala Harris, the California Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate, is trying to appeal to both progressive activists and more moderate Democrats as her poll numbers fall.

Recent polls show her support among nonwhite voters is at 4%, according to a CNN poll.
The current Democratic frontrunner, former Vice President Joe Biden, has 50% support of nonwhite voters according to the same CNN poll.

But Harris is taking issue with the popular argument that a white male candidate, like Biden, is more "electable"— than a woman of color.

In a strategic shift, she's leaning into her criticism of Trump and his administration.

Sen. Kamala Harris, the California Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate, is attempting to strike a difficult balance between appeasing progressive activists and appealing to more moderate Democrats as her poll numbers fall.

California's former attorney general, Harris has found vocal critics within the progressive community— particularly among criminal justice activists and public interest attorneys who take issue with much of her 25-year-long prosecutorial record.

snip




I have a question for all the people pushing for a Biden/Harris ticket.

Obviously Biden's main appeal for many is that he can claw back many swing voters in the Midwest states (I completely agree with this analysis), including many who voted for the orange bloat. But how will he sell Harris's executive action on gun control (some I personally agree with, btw) promise:

Kamala Harris: 'I will take executive action' on gun control if I am elected president

https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/04/23/kamala-harris-promises-executive-action-gun-control-elected/3548859002/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/22/us/politics/kamala-harris-gun-control.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-gun-control-2020-candidate-vows-to-take-executive-action-on-guns-if-elected-president/


to those very same voters? The NRA, Trump, and all other assorted RW gunner scum will go wild highlighting this at so many levels it would, I fear, make these voters' heads spin and think twice. Also, she has signed onto Bernie's MFA bill, and even said (then walked back) that private insurance would be ended as a result of MFA. Will not that also provide an opening for the RW to scare off these voters as well?

Link to tweet

[JI7]

1. Biden supports Gun Control , the gun nuts are not the ones supporting him

[Celerity]

2. yes, but he never has advocated an executive order after 100 days of congressional non-action

It is whistling past the graveyard to think that is not going to be massively exploited. It is not just 'gun nuts' who may get influenced in a negative way from that.

Same for her soundbite on private insurance being moved on from due to MFA. Those are both hard genies to put back into the bottle.

[Honeycombe8]

23. Here are 70+ bills & resolutions proposed by Congress in 2019 re guns. They've been busy!

They were ready to go when they took office in January. Most were by Democrats, some were by Republicans. This is a partial list. You can find the full list at govtrack.us.

H.R. 167: To prohibit the transfer of a firearm at a gun show by a person who is not a licensed dealer.
Sponsor: Rep. Al Green [D-TX9]
Introduced
Jan 3, 2019 Cosponsors
18 (18D) Prognosis
3%

H.R. 33: Gun Trafficking Prohibition Act
Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Rush [D-IL1]
Introduced
Jan 3, 2019 Cosponsors
24 (24D) Prognosis
2%

H.R. 157: Gun Manufacturers Accountability Act
Sponsor: Rep. Dwight Evans [D-PA3]
Introduced
Jan 3, 2019 Cosponsors
0 Prognosis
1%

H.R. 282: SAFER Now Act
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce Beatty [D-OH3]
Introduced
Jan 8, 2019 Cosponsors
5 (5D) Prognosis
22%

H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Thompson [D-CA5]
Introduced
Jan 8, 2019 Passed House (Senate next)
Feb 27, 2019 Cosponsors
232 (227D,5R) Prognosis
90%

H.Res. 29: Condemning White Supremacist Terrorism and the Anti-immigrant Rhetoric that Inspires It Resolution
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Cole [R-OK4]
Introduced
Jan 8, 2019 Cosponsors
0

S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Introduced
Jan 9, 2019 Cosponsors
29 (28D,1I) Prognosis
34%

H.R. 435: National Gun Violence Research Act
Sponsor: Rep. Eddie Johnson [D-TX30]
Introduced
Jan 10, 2019 Cosponsors
32 (32D) Prognosis
3%

S. 120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D-MN]
Introduced
Jan 15, 2019 Cosponsors
31 (30D,1I) Prognosis
4%

H.R. 569: Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Dingell [D-MI12]
Introduced
Jan 15, 2019 Cosponsors
119 (114D,5R) Prognosis
5%

H.R. 659: Buyback Our Safety Act
Sponsor: Rep. Theodore Deutch [D-FL22]
Introduced
Jan 17, 2019 Cosponsors
2 (2D) Prognosis
3%

S. 184: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
Sponsor: Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA]
Introduced
Jan 17, 2019 Cosponsors
41 (39D,2I) Prognosis
4%

H.R. 674: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY12]
Introduced
Jan 17, 2019 Cosponsors
92 (91D,1R) Prognosis
12%

S. 193: Ethan’s Law
Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]
Introduced
Jan 18, 2019 Cosponsors
1 (1D) Prognosis
5%

H.R. 734: Next Generation Votes Act
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Neguse [D-CO2]
Introduced
Jan 23, 2019 Cosponsors
10 (10D) Prognosis
4%

H.R. 717: Raise the Age Act
Sponsor: Rep. Anthony Brown [D-MD4]
Introduced
Jan 23, 2019 Cosponsors
61 (58D,3R) Prognosis
3%

H.R. 743: Securing Our Children Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. John Katko [R-NY24]
Introduced
Jan 24, 2019 Cosponsors
1 (1D) Prognosis
5%

H.R. 820: Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY12]
Introduced
Jan 28, 2019 Cosponsors
1 (1D) Prognosis
3%

H.R. 930: Stopping the Iron Pipeline Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Nydia Velázquez [D-NY7]
Introduced
Jan 30, 2019 Cosponsors
0 Prognosis
3%

H.R. 942: SAFETY Act
Sponsor: Rep. James Himes [D-CT4]
Introduced
Jan 31, 2019 Cosponsors
7 (7D) Prognosis
3%

H.R. 939: SECURE Firearm Storage Act
Sponsor: Rep. Bradley Schneider [D-IL10]
Introduced
Jan 31, 2019 Cosponsors
16 (16D) Prognosis
2%

These were just the ones in January, altho I removed the budget ones and some by Repubs. The latest one involving guns was introduced 5/10/2019:

H.R. 2674: To enhance safety and security at federally licensed gun shops, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Morelle [D-NY25]
Introduced
May 10, 2019 Cosponsors
6 (6D)

[WeekiWater]

3. Vice President picks are mainly about one night...

And then they are off to sell the Democratic Presidential hopefuls proposals. Normally in areas it is felt they will have the most impact. Not the other way around.

[Celerity]

5. Due to Biden's advanced age (turns 86 in his last year of 2 terms, and some have even floated

a 'one term and out' possibility (foolish idea IMHO) and the fact the Rethugs will ruthlessly paint anything they can find as 'radical' (a huge reason that Bernie has ZERO shot versus Trump) I think that this is not a normal election at all and any VP's stances will be much more under a microscope than during previous cycles.

[WeekiWater]

7. I don't see that happening.

Trumps no spring chicken and Pence was simply used to consolidate the religious crowd. Clinton was no youngster and Kaine was used in areas they thought he would do well.

When it comes to people like Clinton, Trump, and Biden they are the show. No one was going “Trumps so old that we really need to battle figure out the Pence platform.” It’s just not how it works. Old or not.

That said, who knows who Biden will pick if he makes it. I think it’s a bit shortsighted that every name mentioned on this board as a possible VP pick is someone currently running. I doubt that will be the case.

[Celerity]

8. My number one VP choice is not officially running (yet), Stacey Abrams. She also is my second or

3rd overall POTUS choice (after my true number one choice, but who will never run, Michelle Obama, and then probably Pete).

[WeekiWater]

11. If Harris wins it I think Crowley would be a great pick.

If Buttigieg wins it I think Holder would be a great pick.

Our field is really deep.

I can’t imagine MO running, or even wanting to.

[LakeArenal]

16. Biden already said no one term

Anyone one ever connect that the majority of people don’t like Kamala Harris.

She is beloved by many. But not enough to win. That may hold true for VP?

On a personal level. I don’t like her personality nor her public persona.
I’m way more Perry Mason than Hamilton Berger. That prosecutorial persona is off putting to me. I won’t speak for others.

Stacy Abrams would make a much better VP to me.

[qazplm135]

27. So basically the point of this is

You want buttigieg to be VP.

[Celerity]

29. no, not necessarily, I think the strongest VP for Joe would probably be Abrams

She would put GA, NC and FL more in play. Obviously just my opinion, he would have a tonne of great options to choose from if he does win the nomination.

Obviously would be thrilled if Buttigieg were chosen as well, but I doubt Biden goes in that direction. Maybe he does, I do not have a crystal ball.

My questions about Kamala Harris as VP (I would much rather have her as our POTUS nominee than Joe, in full disclosure) were sincere, as so many think it is a slam dunk that Biden picks her as VP and I wanted to hear from people why and to hear opinions as to the issues I brought up, as most of the people who have been for Biden from before he even announced have said it is the Midwest Rust Belt swing voters he can claw back, and I think some might have issues with a few of her stances (of which I agree with her on, but I am not a typical Rust Belt swing voter at all in any remote fashion).

[qazplm135]

30. that makes zero sense

so she's a better Presidential candidate but a worse VP candidate?

Come on man.

[Celerity]

31. I am not a man

And yes, one stance does not preclude another. I much prefer Kamala and multiple others as POTUS over Biden, BUT if he is our nominee, then I think there are stronger VP choices.

[qazplm135]

32. oh ffs

yes one stance does preclude the other.

[Celerity]

33. No it doesn't. I just fully explained it. Not my problem you do not like it.

[FBaggins]

4. There's a difference between the President and VP

Nobody has to worry about executive actions planned by a VP candidate if they aren’t adopted by the candidate.

The strategic role of the VP nominee is to attract demographics that the candidate lacks and to be the attack dog keeping the candidate from having to get his hands dirty.

She would check both of those boxes.

[Celerity]

6. following that logic

The strategic role of the VP nominee is to attract demographics that the candidate lacks and to be the attack dog keeping the candidate from having to get his hands dirty.

As Harris is polling so poorly with people of colour (and Joe so strongly there), and any of our candidates already have California in the bag, it would seem that Warren or even Bernie would add more of the demographics that Biden is weaker in (the progressive left and the youth vote) and both of them are also attack dogs versus Rump. Warren also adds the female vote as well.

[FBaggins]

9. I don't disagree

I don’t dislike Harris but don’t consider her the ideal VP candidate for Biden (apart from superficialities). My point is just that proposed policy that differs from the candidate is rarely significant when selecting a VP except to the extent it helps with part of the base (as with Pence on abortion).

[Celerity]

10. Stacey Abrams is my number one VP choice for Biden, if he wins. I also hope she

quickly jumps in for the main POTUS slot, if she is actually going to run. She would instantly become my number 2 POTUS option, and move to number one if Buttigieg cannot gain more traction and she catches fire. Warren is my number two choice for Biden's VPOTUS (I so doubt Joe would pick her due to the personal acrimony for 2 decades between the two, but wow, that would show he truly is capable of growth and unity). Pete would be number 3.

I only used Bernie as an example of demo-filling. I do not want him anywhere but in the Senate. I think his 2020 POTUS campaign is a unmitigated disaster for our party and our nation as it helps Trump and hurts us. The sooner he drops out the better for the world. He has surrounded himself with electoral poison.

[Metalmom]

12. She's right

Too many times people have to wait on approval and I know of a few people who had to chase it down only to be rejected. I know of a gentleman who wanted to quit smoking, his DR prescribed chantix. The insurance company would have to approve the prescription before they would cover it. He waited and waited, calling the pharmacy, calling the DR and no answer. Called the insurance company a few times, after a few phone calls they finally gave him an answer, no. He'd have to try other, less costly methods first. Needless to say he's still smoking.

Know another gentleman who's DR wanted him to have a colonoscopy. He wanted to make sure the procedure would be covered before he made the appointment. He couldn't get a straight answer from the insurance company if they'd pay the bill and when he tried to find out how much it would cost just in case, he got the run around from the hospital clinic that would be doing the procedure. They couldn't give him a straight answer as to how much it would be.

Our healthcare system is broken and Kamala is right, we need to move on from this unhealthy system.

[DownriverDem]

13. Hey

The Democratic Platform shows what the Dems stand for. Remember, when a candidate goes negative, that means they are losing.

[Kaleva]

14. Pro gun NRA types will never vote Dem regardless.

Swing voters overall support gun control and polls show a majority support a renewed ban on assault weapons. They don't pay much attention to what the NRA says.

Where does your preferred candidate stand on the issue of gun control?

[Celerity]

15. Buttigieg on gun violence and gun control

https://meetpete.org/Nldx3r7h3Cg.html?time=3272



https://meetpete.org/K6A-udFnfq4.html?time=3286


Pete Buttigieg calls for gun control at Somerville event

https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/04/30/pete-buttigieg-calls-for-gun-control-at-somerville-event/

Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg wants more gun control, and says policies like universal background checks and making it tougher to obtain assault-style rifles don’t infringe on Second Amendment rights.

“The biggest thing I can tell you about some of these weapons that I trained on and saw and carried is that there are some weapons that have absolutely no place in our neighborhoods in America in peacetime,” Buttigieg, a U.S. Navy Reserve veteran who served in Afghanistan, told a full house at Somerville Theatre on Tuesday.

The South Bend, Ind., mayor said, “We need to make it harder to obtain assault rifles. We need to have red flag laws that disarm domestic abusers. We need to establish universal background checks.”

But his ideas were, “not anti-Second Amendment, because every right and every freedom in the Constitution comes with responsibilities” he said, adding the right to bear arms “does not entitle you to … other weapons of war.”

snip

[LongtimeAZDem]

19. Universal background checks with Red-Flag laws, no AWB. That can play across a wide demographic.

[Kaleva]

25. Thanks!

[FailureToCommunicate]

17. "Flailing" is hardly what Harris is doing. Biden's poll numbers dinged every other ones'.

We get it, you like your choice for candidate.

[Celerity]

18. It was the headline of the article, I did not choose it, and I really like Harris a lot

Would rather her than Biden as POTUS any day.

[Hortensis]

22. Headlines are usually the most "yellow-journalismish"

part of any article. I seldom post OPs but when I do take a hard look at the title, knowing most viewers will only read that. Just say no to dishonest headlines.

[Kaleva]

24. You chose the article with that headline.

[MrsCoffee]

20. Lol.

[LongtimeAZDem]

21. Her Executive Action pledge is precisely why I stopped pushing her as a running mate

I think she's the best choice otherwise, but that is a poison pill, for lack of a better term.

[still_one]

26. I would say regardless who the Democratic candidate is, the NRA today, and those that are part of it

will be attacking all Democrats no matter who they are

[crazytown]

28. I AM SO SICK OF CLICK BAIT HEADLINES

Maybe there is a real story in there, but I can’t be bothered with this shite. If an editor treats his or her audience as infants, I’ll pay attention when it’s quoted elsewhere

[question everything]

34. I think that Harris is too strong willed to be anyone's "mate"

On the other hand, if, traditionally, the running mate should be the "attack dog" she can fit the bill.