Mainstream media outlets are filled with adulation over Kamala Harris’ appearance at the Democratic National Convention yesterday, on August 19th—itching to note how the crowd went “ballistic” for the party’s nominee and describing her run as “stunning.”
However, some senior insiders still have their reservations, and attempts to distance Harris from Joe Biden’s administration—of which she is the vice president—were muddied by none other than Joe Biden.
The current president’s big speech was held back until 11:30 p.m. in a fairly clear indication that leading Democrats want to push the chaos of the past few years into the background. For the avoidance of any doubt, Harris herself said that the message to bear in mind ahead of the November election is: “We are moving forward.”
Just moments later, Biden flipped this line on its head, highlighting that when “I say ‘we’ [in relation to “the most extraordinary four years of progress ever”], I mean me and Kamala.”
Whatever message this sent to those listening outside the DNC, those inside the convention hall remained jubilant all night, constantly boosting Harris, who was crowned as Democratic presidential nominee without a single primary vote—all after a fairly messy 2020 run. So much for Biden’s plea that Americans elect Harris in order to “preserve democracy.”
But some senior Democrats warn that Harris’ team will have to present something more than hyperbolic statements about joy. South Carolina Democrat Rep. James Clyburn, for example, noted that “no matter how jubilant we are now, the fact is, we got to have a good week, we got to leave here on a high note, and we got to keep it going.”
Energy is one thing, but it’s not worth anything unless it’s harnessed and targeted.
Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles County supervisor, added: “I’m wanting to let myself go, just enjoy the moment, but I am so consumed with 78 days, how do we win?”
Then there’s the constant buzz outside the convention from pro-Palestine protesters, who will continue demonstrating throughout the rest of the week. Harris has been in talks with some of the leaders behind this action, who appear hopeful that the nominee can “get us to the point where we can put our support behind … Harris”—just as Biden appears hopeful that a plan to end the war in Gaza could cross the line in the coming months.
These outcomes would reduce the number of complications distracting from Harris’ otherwise joyous run, but those remaining would likely continue to hurt her campaign against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
