Kamala Harris is qualified to be President of the United States. As of today, it is reported that supporters have “raised nearly $50 million just hours after Vice President Kamala Harris launched her campaign. This marks the largest fundraising day in the 2024 election cycle so far” (The Jasmine Brand, Cf. BBC). As Vice President of the United States, and as I have previously stated on my Substack Note, it makes her not only the most likely candidate to replace Joe Biden but also the previously universally accepted. That is to say, upon voting for a candidate, the package of the President and Vice Presidency is to be understood that the latter is the replacement.
But I’ve heard some disagreements. The first came in the form of someone who mistook me for being in my early 30s (perhaps even in my 20s, as absurd as that is, since he is in his 30s). I’m actually 44. The assumption is that since he was speaking to someone he presumed to be younger, it meant that a political perspective is automatically insignificant and inadequate. Naturally, part of me appreciated being thought to be significantly younger than I am.
His take when Harris was brought up was that most world leaders aren’t used to and won’t be welcoming to the idea of a woman being head of state. Stated in an emphatic, “this is a basic matter of fact” type of way, it sort of gave me the sense that it was a personal belief that he held. He didn’t think a woman should be President. While I didn’t think it was a teaching moment, I did venture to mention that Angela Dorothea Merkel (PhD, Leipzig University), the former Prime Minister of Germany, was a significant voice on the global political stage from 2001-2021. In fact, in my reckoning, she was the sole counter to Trump’s term from 2017-2021. She was the adult in the room.
Thus, pushing the idea that global politics will not make room for a woman holding significant power shows a lack of understanding and awareness of the global stage on which the commentary was being made. It is the power that is wielded that gives weight to the voice. Gender doesn’t matter. Being President of the United States speaks volumes.
That aside, there are other significant considerations regarding a Harris presidency. The first is whether or not she will be able to sway enough Republicans to actually get things done. This doesn’t solely depend on her, of course. Democratic representatives in the House, the Senate, and also her Vice President should be formidable in that aspect. But as for her, I’m not sure if she will be able to influence much. Biden had extensive experience in that department and, as always, there was significant opposition.
There is also the matter of the states needing to be won. Swing states, also known as battleground states, are crucial in U.S. presidential elections due to their unpredictable voting patterns. These states do not consistently vote for a single party, making them highly competitive and pivotal in determining the election outcome. Candidates focus significant resources and campaign efforts on swing states to sway undecided voters. The electoral votes from these states can tip the balance in a closely contested election, underscoring their strategic importance in the electoral process. But y’all know all this. These are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Can Kamala win these? Can she be paired with someone who can significantly influence the votes there? Those are the real questions that need to be answered.
I can’t fail to mention that the current situation has some lamenting what could have been. There was Elliot Spitzer. Ross Barkan took up this lament in 2023 when he wrote of Spitzer, “… once talked about, quite credibly, as a candidate to be America’s first Jewish president” and capable of potentially building up “New York’s Democratic Party into a national leader” (Political Currents by Ross Barkan). A prostitution scandal made quick work of him.
There was also Cuomo. Cuomo was the hero of the country during the pandemic. He sounded and came across as being more presidential than Trump. The country tuned in to watch what became his popular morning sessions of updates. But a nursing home scandal and Lindsey Boyan’s sexual harassment allegations made short work of him (Morning Consult; cf. my original blog here.) Although I’ve heard lamenting of his possible candidacy, and even the suggestion that Democrats should repair their relationship with him and offer him up as their champion, I will conclude with what I originally concluded regarding Cuomo.
He would’ve needed a significant event on the national stage to resurrect him. And even then, the fact that he is viewed as hyper-aggressive and not one who works well with others, would have tanked him in the key states.
With all the potential combatants putting their weight behind Kamala, she is the obvious choice. It is clear that there was a significant conversation within the Democratic party that considered the disastrous impact of division at this time. In such a short time, Democrats would have had 2 or 3 persons competing against Kamala. This would have resulted in a shortening of the time for the party to get any of those candidates to look as their undisputed choice. And while there would have been a victor, the party would have been divided.
But there was another danger just as significant if not more. Seeing that Kamala is the Vice President, allowing challengers would have impacted the Black vote and even some segments of other minorities. It would have been seen automatically as pushing off a qualified Black woman from what should have been automatic. Again, having her as Vice President says that she has already been chosen as next in line.
At the time of writing this, I have no question in my mind that Kamala will be the main contender against Trump. There is no other significant voice being contrary. And if they were going to show up, they would have shown up already. And her chances are looking better. The polls are showing that the chances of Trump against her fall within the margin of error (Yahoo News). It’s looking like she has a legitimate chance. But does she really?
All this is happening without any idea of what Harris’ plans for the future are. You see, I’m not exactly interested in simply having one of mine in office. I’m interested in having one of mine that will do something for the people. As much as I would like to think that she will, and I do (hopefully, fingers crossed), I don’t really know. Neither do I hear those shouting from the rooftops for a Harris presidency talking about what she is going to offer the country. I think that is a more compelling argument than simply having a first.
Look, we know she is smart and articulate. We know she is a far better candidate than what is across the aisle. We expect that putting someone in office that reflects differences is also meant to impact the direction of the country in regards to critical issues that pertain to those differences. But do we always get that? Have we forgotten the different takes in the Black community concerning the Obama presidency? I still recall Obama as the one that gave the opening to a Trump presidency as a retaliation by significant powers in the nation. If Harris is elected, then what is the counter? Or perhaps the very fact that she is up for the task may bring out heated elements?
Amber Rose’s appearance at the Republican National Convention does not serve the purpose of pulling votes for Trump, even if that was the intention. It rather should be looked at as there being a melanated side to Trump support. It may not be as insignificant as we think. While some Black celebrities are more vocal in calling for another four years of Trump rule, there are the hidden ones who are going to push forward under the shadows.
But we continue to carry on as if the noise is going to impact those in the valley of decision. Sure, I’m voting Kamala. I’m not the one that needs convincing against the would-be king. Noise makers are still struggling to find ways to blast out of the echo chambers. Their voices seem to run aground when it comes to swing states. So, what is left? Hope has become the new buzzword. But sometimes, the whole thing goes kaput despite right wishing and right actions. Yet, there is only hope, right?