Once Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race on July 21 and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris to be his successor, things moved so quickly for the Democrats. Harris was quick off the blocks, sewing up endorsements, raising an insane amount of money at a blistering pace and even vetting her vice presidential hopefuls. By July 23, she won the endorsements of all Democratic governors, a vast majority of the party's elected representatives, the House and Senate leadership and also a clear majority of the convention delegates.
While Harris so far has enjoyed a smooth ride to the top, it may not be that easy as she gets into the real campaign grind, once her rival Donald Trump and his Republican Party start targeting her. Harris certainly has her strengths—her relative youthfulness, her record as a prosecutor, her appeal among Afro-Americans and women and her progressive ethos, especially on the politically sensitive issue of abortion. But at the same time, she also has a few weaknesses as a candidate and the Democrats hope that she will be able to weave together a narrative that effectively addresses these concerns as she takes on Trump.
One of the major challenges Harris is going to face is her association with Joe Biden as his vice president and also his handpicked successor. As Biden was polling so low in the last few weeks of his campaign, his endorsement could be a problem for her in the general election, although it helped her clinch the Democratic nomination quickly. On a range of unpopular issues, from the economy to immigration, the numbers are alarming for Harris, and the Republicans are sure to latch on to that and put the blame on Harris as well.
"Joe Biden has been the worst president in my lifetime, and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way," said J.D. Vance, Trump’s vice presidential pick, on July 21, as it became clear that Harris was going to be the Democratic nominee.
Aligning herself closely with Biden may get Harris support from those who approve of Biden's policies and leadership. But those votes will come to her anyway. However, it could cost her the support of independents who are dissatisfied with aspects of Biden's presidency or who expect a different direction for the Democratic Party. Maintaining this balance will be critical for Harris in defining her own platform and vision even while acknowledging her role in the current administration.
Another problem for Harris is that the Republicans will try to portray her as the candidate imposed by the Democratic Party from above. While Democrats paint Republican candidate Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, critics on the right are questioning the Democrats' decision to endorse Harris as the new nominee although she was not chosen in the presidential primaries. In fact, Harris showed tremendous strength and political skills by racking up endorsements soon after Biden dropped out. But it could be held against her, as her candidacy could be defined as one that was brokered and manoeuvred by party elites. Without a competitive primary process, Harris could be perceived as a candidate imposed by party elites rather than being chosen through a broader democratic process.
Additionally, the lack of a rigorous primary contest experience could pose challenges when facing a formidable opponent like Trump in a general election. Primary campaigns typically serve as crucial testing grounds for candidates, allowing them to refine their messaging, build a robust campaign infrastructure and demonstrate their ability to connect with diverse voter demographics.
Harris also has to face the double-edged dynamics of being a Black and Asian woman. Throughout her career, she has endured unfair expectations and undue criticisms because of her race and gender. Once she emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Biden, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett from Tennessee insinuated that Biden selected her solely because she was Black. “One hundred per cent she is a DEI hire,” said Burchett, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion. “Her record is abysmal at best.” As her presidential campaign progresses, Harris is likely to encounter more critics like Burchett, although the Republican leadership has warned lawmakers to focus on Harris's record, not her race.
Even if most Republicans are reined in, Trump is unlikely to restrain himself from going after Harris. He has made several disparaging remarks about Harris, labelling her as "totally unlikable" and a "communist," and even referring to her as "this monster". A day after Biden announced that he was stepping down, Trump said that Harris was “dumb as a rock”.
Although Harris has been in politics for two decades, she has not been able to convincingly explain her political philosophy, or what she stands for. While she served as a prosecutor in California, she was known for her moderate, smart-on-crime policies. But when she jumped into the 2020 electoral fray, she realised that her profile did not suit the Democratic Party's preferences at that time and she tried to redefine herself. She quickly brought forth a personal narrative, emulating the Obama model, highlighting her Jamaican and Indian roots and spoke of her as a product of American multiculturalism. But that strategy had run its course. As it failed to gain traction, she tried to present herself as a progressive leftist like Bernie Sanders—she endorsed Medicare for All—but it did not win her much support. So she came up with a plan that preserved private insurance. The flip-flops damaged her credibility and she was forced to drop out.
Unlike politicians who have built their careers in roles like governors or members of Congress, where they often refine their messages over years of public service, Harris's background as a prosecutor has not traditionally emphasised broad policy communication. While she has been successful in articulating her points in a narrow, well-defined narrative, as a presidential candidate, she needs to conceive, explain and sell a broader, sweeping national vision. With just about 100 days till voting day, Harris will have to somehow find a way to translate the strengths of her prosecutorial background into a compelling narrative that resonates with voters.
Harris's tenure as senator and her early years as vice president were marked by challenges in managing her staff effectively. There was an unusually high turnover among her team, indicating difficulties in maintaining a stable and experienced advisory group. She lacked longstanding advisors who could provide deep insights and guide her decision-making processes.
Moreover, as vice- president, Harris was tasked with challenging portfolios such as addressing the root causes of the border crisis, something Biden himself addressed when he was serving as Obama's deputy. Ultimately, the border and immigration crisis turned out to be the biggest disappointment of Biden's presidential term and Harris is now identified as one of the people responsible for the mess, although she did not have any direct involvement in framing policy. The Republicans, for instance, call her Biden's border czar.
Finally, Harris could encounter difficulties in blue-wall swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where her perceived liberal stance could be an issue. Biden, with his "Scranton Joe" image, managed to wrest back these states from Trump because of his centrist policies and appeal among white working-class voters. The perceived disparity in political positions between Harris and Biden might create opportunities for Trump to exploit. Successfully navigating these dynamics will be crucial for Harris to win these swing states.