After President Biden’s disastrous debate performance last week, speculation is growing about the possibility of him dropping out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as a replacement. Though Harris has the experience and debate skills to potentially succeed in a presidential race, there is ongoing skepticism about her electability due to criticisms that took root during the 2019 Democratic primaries. Harris has faced scrutiny in the news media for being aloof and not likable, a criticism often directed at powerful women in public-facing roles.
Despite lingering doubts about her viability, a recent CNN survey shows Harris performing well against theoretical candidates and even above Biden in a race against former President Trump. Harris has shown her skills as a formidable debater, successfully confronting high-profile figures like Justice Kavanaugh and Vice President Pence in past debates.
As discussions continue about a potential Harris candidacy, it’s important to consider the double standards and biases women and people of color face in politics. Supporting Harris means believing that the electorate is capable of overcoming centuries of tradition and bias to elect a woman of color as president. While it may seem like a risky move, Harris’s track record as a fighter and her ability to hold her own in high-stakes debates make her a strong contender for the presidency.
While it’s essential to scrutinize Harris like any other candidate, dismissing her as not the right choice without a fair evaluation of her strengths and weaknesses is unfair to someone as accomplished as Harris. As the speculation about Biden’s future in the race continues, the question of Harris’s electability remains a topic of intense debate within both the Democratic Party and among swing voters.
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