Who is Kamala Harris?
As the American presidential race continues through August, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has selected his running mate. Kamala Harris is a woman who has attracted a lot of attention during Trump’s presidency for her ruthless questioning of Trump’s advisors and legal representatives during his numerous scandals. She has championed legislation protecting immigrants in California from Trumpian laws during her time as Junior Senator for the state, and has voted consistently and reliably along the Democrat line of resistance against Trump and his administration. Joe Biden has been widely praised for his choice of presumptive Vice President, and Harris’ selection is a great deal more logical for Biden than the incumbent President’s choice of VP in 2016.
What makes a good Presidential ticket?
The construction of a Presidential ticket usually done in such a way as to represent the views and attitudes of the majority of the party the duo is running for. For example, Bill Clinton was described by commentators during his race and throughout his Presidency as a “bluedog” Democrat; a Democrat who leans closer to the left of the Republican party than the more radical left of his own party. This position was balanced very well by Al Gore, a Democrat of more progressive and left-leaning inclinations than Clinton himself. This trend has been well-established as a good way to secure as many votes from traditional voters of the respective parties as possible.
How Trump bucked the trend.
Donald Trump’s selection of Mike Pence deviated from this trend, however. The only contrasts between the two men was that Pence had Government experience as Congressman and Governor for Indiana, and Pence is a devout Protestant Christian, whereas Trump’s true religiosity is still contested. The political views of the two men have little contrast; both are on the right wing of the Republican party and represent the fringes of extreme conservatism. This was not particularly effective in the 2016 election, with a great deal of moderate Republicans (like former President George W. Bush) feeling outcast by their party. While the election was won by Trump and Pence, they did not secure the popular vote. Had Trump picked a more moderate Republican as his running mate, a greater proportion of the vote may have been his.
Why Biden’s choice is better.
Biden’s ticket shows a great deal more promise. It is similar in many ways to the 2008 Democratic ticket, in that Biden’s reserved, moderate approach to progressivism was contrasted well by the younger, more outspoken, and further left-leaning policies of Barack Obama. That particular mixture of political flavours worked very well for Obama in both 2008 and 2012, and is set to work even better for Biden in 2020. Harris would still have been a brilliant balance for Biden if she was a white man, but the fact that she is a mixed race woman is a massive step towards the type of social policy the Democrats will be pushing for after the election (if Biden wins, of course).
…and its impact.
The political map of the US is already awash with blue following the latest polls, and with Kamala Harris’ selection as Vice President, Biden’s lead is expected to grow even more. The question is, are the American people leaning so heavily towards Biden because they think he will be an amazing President, or because they just want Trump out of the White House?
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