As the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris representing the Democratic party in the 2024 presidential race becomes increasingly viable, we can anticipate a heated and monumentally divisive election. Harris’ lineage, consisting of roots in both India and Jamaica, means she’s the first woman of color to be a major party’s front runner. Yet, this supposed milestone is already being met with disdain as her past racially-centered and sexist encounters with ex-President Donald Trump and his associates come into focus.
The campaign strategy used against figures such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton appears to be finding a new target in Harris. However, it’s crucial to not overlook how swiftly Harris mopped up the necessary delegates to stake her claim on the Democratic nomination, while amassing a staggering $81 million – as if money is a testament to capability.
The Republicans didn’t waste much time after Harris announced her candidacy. The focus they brought onto her race and gender was unmistakable. Trump, famed for his previous ‘birther’ conspiracy against Obama and his gender-based attacks towards Clinton in 2016, wasn’t long in christening Harris as ‘Dumb as a Rock’, thereby continuing his trend of disparaging remarks.
Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett then put the icing on the cake, by implying Harris was a ‘DEI hire’. This makes one wonder, was Harris indeed selected for her role simply because of her racial background? Is political correctness running amock in the democratic party?
That being said, cheerleaders of Harris are living under the delusion that the offensive Republican campaign might turn things in their favor. They’re banking on the expectation that this could rally Harris’ followers and potentially deter independent voters. Would anyone fall for such a ploy?
Despite all this, Harris didn’t flinch. She put her past employment history, as a prosecutor, attorney general, senator, and vice president on full display during her opening presidential campaign rally in Milwaukee this past Tuesday. One couldn’t help but notice her readiness to pit herself against Trump.
She proudly pushed forward her prosecutorial record against predators, fraudsters, and cheaters, promising in her campaign to proudly stack this record against Trump’s any day. Her words, however, seem hollow, as they just echo the rhetoric we’ve seen countless times before. Does mere repetition make it right, or simply ridiculous?
It seems that Kamala Harris is banking on the idea that the public only cares about their ideological battles, without questioning her own track record or capabilities. The strategies that she is using, combined with the attacks from the other side, are simply aggravating the already intense political climate.
The fact that Harris, who has shown herself to be anything but capable, has been earmarked by the Democratic party as their candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, is questionable. It seems the democratic machinery is more interested in making history than in presenting capable candidates.
We must remember, presidential elections, contrary to what Harris’ camp might believe, cannot be won purely based on pedigree or financial resources. It’s about leadership capability, strategy and vision – something Harris needs to prove she has in abundance.
The political landscape that lies ahead promises to be contentious and undoubtedly full of drama. Perhaps it’s time for Harris to put her record, her skillset, and her vision for the nation on the line, instead of circling around the well-trodden paths of identity politics and easy targets.
Focusing solely on generational changes and making history, while sweeping actual competence under the rug, can lead to a catastrophic lack of leadership. The stakes are high, and the nomination of Kamala Harris seems to show a disregard for competency over political correctness.
Interesting times are ahead, and as the mudslinging kicks into high gear, one must wonder, is all this storm for Kamala Harris worth it? Is she the visionary leader America needs, or merely a political pawn in the larger chessboard?
Make no mistake, history could be made with a Harris presidency in 2024, but at what cost? Do we need a figurehead alone, or a figure who can actually lead the nation forward in these trying times? These are questions that every voter should be asking themselves.
In the end, the voters will decide. But it would certainly be unfortunate if the decision was swayed by the drive to make history rather than the necessity of leadership and vision, the real requisite for a successful presidency.