The Astonishing Rise—and Uncertain Odds—of Kamala Harris’s Presidential Campaign
Oct 11, 2024
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Evan Osnos, a Longtime staff writer for The New Yorker with in-depth insights on Kamala Harris's campaign, discusses the complexities of her rise in politics. He shares how Biden’s endorsement has shifted her trajectory yet underscores her razor-thin lead in polls. Osnos highlights the skepticism Harris faces and her determination not to wait for traditional processes. The emotional impact on young voters and the looming fear of another Electoral College loss for Democrats are also explored, emphasizing the unprecedented stakes of her candidacy.
Kamala Harris's rapid mobilization after Biden's endorsement showcases her determination to maintain momentum in a competitive race.
Despite facing significant scrutiny as a woman of color in leadership, Harris's unique approach to foreign policy reflects her pragmatic stance.
Deep dives
Kamala Harris's Political Journey
Kamala Harris's political ascent reflects a series of strategic decisions influenced by her background and the political landscape. After Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, Harris quickly mobilized to secure delegates, demonstrating her determination not to be sidelined in the nomination process. Her prior experience, including her downward spiral in approval ratings, was overshadowed by a resurgence of support from a community of voters who resonated with her identity as a Black woman and her advocacy for immigrant rights. Harris's swift action in reaching out to influential party members exemplifies her tactical approach in leveraging her connections to sustain her campaign momentum.
Navigating Challenges as Vice President
Harris's role as vice president has been marked by significant scrutiny, both due to her high-profile position and her status as a trailblazer. Despite her contributions, such as advocating for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson and pushing for an expanded view on student loan relief, she has faced criticism attributed to internal staff turnover and claims of poor management. This scrutiny is compounded by the unique pressures of being a woman of color in a pivotal leadership role, making each step under a magnifying glass. The mixed perception of her achievements raises questions about her executive presence and the complexities of navigating a historically male-dominated political landscape.
Foreign Policy Perspectives
Kamala Harris's approach to foreign policy signifies a potential divergence from Joe Biden's long-held perspectives, illustrating her unique positioning. Her experiences in the Situation Room have shaped her views, although there remains uncertainty about her definitive stance on key issues. Unlike Biden, who frames global relations within a democratic-autocratic dichotomy, Harris appears to have a broader, more pragmatic view of international relations and could prioritize cooperative engagements over ideological commitments. This nuanced understanding might influence her foreign policy decisions, presenting challenges as she strives to balance party expectations with global realities.
Since July 21st, when Joe Biden endorsed her in the Presidential race, all eyes have been on Vice-President Kamala Harris. The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos has been reporting on Harris for months, speaking with dozens of people close to her from her childhood to her days as a California prosecutor, right up to this lightning-round campaign for the Presidency. “What’s interesting is that some of those people . . . were asking her, ‘Do you think there should be a process? Some town halls or conventions?,’ ” Osnos tells David Remnick. “And her answer is revealing. . . . ‘I’m happy to join a process like that, but I’m not gonna wait around. I’m not gonna wait around.’ ” But if Harris’s surge in popularity was remarkable, her lead in most polls is razor-thin. “If she wins [the popular vote] and loses the Electoral College, that’ll be the third time since the year 2000 that Democrats have suffered that experience,” he notes. “You can’t underestimate how seismic a shock and a trauma—that’s not an overstatement—it will be, particularly for young Americans who have tried to say, ‘We’re going to put our support behind somebody and see if we can change this country.’ ”
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