The Case for Kamala Harris Is Really Strong. And Then There’s This.

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the author's perspective on the prospect of Kamala Harris running for president in 2024, expressing both support and concerns about the potential candidacy.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Why I Support—but Fear—a Kamala Harris Candidacy

1. What are the key points made in the article about the prospect of Kamala Harris running for president?

• The author believes the prospect of Harris replacing Biden on the 2024 ticket would be much easier if she were a white man, as race and gender still work to the benefit of white men in electoral politics.
• The author was appalled but also relieved when Trump was chosen as the Republican candidate in 2016, believing he would be an easy opponent for the highly competent Hillary Clinton, but was proven wrong when Clinton lost the election.
• The author fears the same dynamics of racism and sexism that triggered a "full-on post-Obama meltdown" over Clinton's candidacy could come back to haunt Harris.
• However, the author also believes that if the Democratic party is too afraid of these dynamics, it will create a self-fulfilling prophecy and hand "forever rule to white men."
• The author argues that Harris may actually be a stronger candidate than Biden, given her ability to speak on key issues like abortion, and the fact that her past as a "tough-on-crime prosecutor" may be more of an asset in 2024.

2. What are the author's key concerns about a potential Harris candidacy?

• The author is concerned that the same racist and sexist backlash that derailed Clinton's candidacy in 2016 could happen again with Harris.
• The author fears that voters who feared and resented a woman in power after the Obama presidency may not have changed enough to embrace a Harris candidacy.

3. What are the author's key reasons for supporting a Harris candidacy?

• The author believes Harris has been nationally vetted and would have an easier time using Biden-Harris campaign funds for her own run.
• The author argues that the America of 2024 is not the same as 2016, as voters have experienced the shock of Clinton's loss and the rollback of women's rights, and may be more motivated to support a woman candidate.
• The author believes Harris is a stronger candidate than Biden in several ways, including her ability to speak on key issues like abortion.

[02] The case for the vice president to replace Biden is strong. And then there's this.

1. What are the key points made in this section about the case for and against Harris replacing Biden?

• The author argues the case for Harris replacing Biden is strong, as she is part of an administration that has accomplished a lot and is the most visible member capable of speaking on key issues like abortion.
• However, the author also expresses concerns about the potential for the same racist and sexist backlash that derailed Clinton's candidacy in 2016 to happen again with Harris.
• The author believes that if the Democratic party is too afraid of these dynamics, it will create a self-fulfilling prophecy and hand "forever rule to white men."