Kim Strassel on Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign

Oh, the memory hole. WaPo in Dec: Dropout Harris was an “uneven campaigner” engulfed by “internal turmoil” and “unable to provide a clear message.” Today: a “vibrant and energetic” campaigner, and “vessel for Democratic hopes.”

If commentators are now struggling to define Ms. Harris, itโ€™s because she offers little that is truly defining. The party establishment quickly closed ranks around her 2016 Senate race, allowing her to run a standard liberal campaign that the Los Angeles Times described as โ€œcarefully orchestratedโ€ and โ€œoverly cautious and scripted.โ€ In her 3ยฝ Senate years, sheโ€™s done little by way of legislation, preferring to showboat at hearings. The lack of an animating agenda helps a explain a presidential campaign in which she bounced from left to far-left position, whatever she thought most helpful at the moment. She twice called to eliminate private health insuranceโ€”and twice reversed herself the next day after backlash. As Vox noted, the โ€œcombination of policy reversals and botched rollout . . . undermined faith in her ability to govern on the issue Democrats rate as most important.โ€

The campaign was a mess, rocked by infighting, leaks, restarts and financial problems. After the campaign announced layoffs in early November, its veteran Iowa operations manager wrote a scathing resignation letter in which she said sheโ€™d โ€œnever seen an organization treat its staff so poorlyโ€ and expressed dismay at its ability to make โ€œthe same unforced errors over and over.โ€ Ms. Harris didnโ€™t even make it to the first contest, dropping outโ€”broke and with embarrassing poll numbersโ€”two months before the Iowa caucuses. The only other โ€œtop tierโ€ candidate to implode as quickly or spectacularly was Beto Oโ€™Rourke. The Washington Post campaign obituary bluntly called Ms. Harris an โ€œuneven campaignerโ€ who was โ€œengulfed by low polling numbers, internal turmoil and a sense that she was unable to provide a clear message.โ€ The Post this week lauded Ms. Harris as โ€œvibrant and energeticโ€ and a โ€œvessel for Democratic hopes.โ€

Biden watchers insist the nominee fulfilled the cardinal rule of veep picks: First, do no harm. Possibly, but itโ€™s pretty clear it did no good either. Mr. Bidenโ€™s biggest concern remains his lagging enthusiasm numbers. Polls consistently show the majority of Democratic voters notably unexcited about his candidacy. One fix would have been a running mate hailed as a fresh and rising Democratic star. Ms. Harris has alienated key elements of her party, in particular progressives who despise her as a โ€œtop copโ€ from her six years as Californiaโ€™s attorney general. In a poll this week by the Economist/YouGov, Ms. Harris was viewed favorably by only half of African-Americans and very favorably by only 26% of liberals. Will that keep people from pulling a Biden-Harris lever? Maybe not, but she wonโ€™t likely be a poll driver.

And thereโ€™s still a possibility sheโ€™ll do harm. Mr. Bidenโ€™s age and questions about his mental acuity guarantee an outsize focus on his running mate, who could end up president. Ms. Harrisโ€™s own presidential run proves she has a propensity to make mistakesโ€”potentially big ones. The Trump campaign is eager to define her as a Bernie Sanders liberal, and sheโ€™s got a track record that helpsโ€”having endorsed Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and gun bans. Many Americans will also remember her leading role in the character assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, matched only in political theater by Cory โ€œSpartacusโ€ Booker. This has the potential to turn off some suburban and independent voters. Even if they donโ€™t rush into Mr. Trumpโ€™s arms; they may simply not vote.

Everyone from Julian Castro to Cory Booker to Deval Patrick to Tulsi Gabbard to Elizabeth Warren to Pete Buttigieg, to Amy Klobuchar to Andrew Yang to Tom Steyer to Michael Bennet had more appeal and staying power than Harris. But now we are told she is unbeatable?

U.S. Campaigns
U.S. Campaignshttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/politics/campaigns/2022-campaigns/
U.S. Campaigns on TheThinkingConservative.com includes news and information about important election campaigns in the United States of America.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

News

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.
spot_img

Related Articles