Kamala Harris, from 2020 to 2032?
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By choosing Kamala Harris as his potential vice-president, Joe Biden hasn’t just picked a running mate, but a high-profile political heiress.
A good choice for running mate
Younger, but not too much
Kamala Harris will be 56 on 2020 Inauguration Day, much younger than then-78-years-old Joe Biden.
Bold, liberal, pragmatic
She is elected and known at a national level, and has both executive and legislative experience. As one of the most liberal senators, she can speak to the left of the Democratic Party. As a former California attorney general and economic centrist, she can appeal to the right of the party and independant electors.
Elected is better than named for office
Days before the Democratic National Convention, many in the media were pushing Susan Rice as a first-class profile for VP pick.
Rice has never been elected. I do not doubt she is very competent and will be a strong asset for the next Biden administration (as Secretary of State?). But I think being elected at an office is a must-have for pretenting to be president.
This is about leading a campaign, raising funds, building an electoral coalition, giving a vision for the country, tell people a story about your ascension to be the leader of the nation.
2020, a decisive moment for Democrats
November 3rd, 2020 will shape the next decade in US politics. Governors, state legislatures elected this year will decide redistricting.
[…] the districts drawn in the 2020 redistricting cycle will remain in effect until the next round of redistricting following the 2030 United States Census. (Wikipedia)
2010–2018 political cycle was difficult for Democrats. Their leaders are old (Clinton, Sanders, Pelosi, Biden were born in the 1940s) and younger ones have difficulties to emerge. Biden described himself a “bridge” to a new generation of Democrats.
Now, Republicans are in a difficult position. This the time for a Democratic comeback with new leaders. The Party needs the senators, representatives, governors, mayors elected this year to fill the void of the 2010s.
The heiress presumptive
Kamala Harris will be 60 in 2024, with four years as vice-president. This will make her one of the strongest contenders in 2024 primaries if Biden does not run for a second term (which is very likely, he will be 82 at this time). And capable of leading to an hypothetical second term to 2032.
Joe Biden wants his heiress to keep the party united, from the liberal wing to the centrist one. With an experienced woman of color, Democrats may have the next leader they need. Now, it’s up to them to win and to succeed.
