With the 2024 presidential race well underway, Vice President Kamala Harris has unexpectedly found herself at the forefront of the Democratic ticket following President Joe Biden's abrupt withdrawal from the race. The shift has sparked a whirlwind of speculation within both political circles and the media about the potential implications of her candidacy and the Democratic Party's broader strategy. Could the Democrats be positioning Harris to ascend to the presidency even before the general election?
President Biden’s decision to step down was prompted by growing concerns about his age and declining popularity, which had left Democrats vulnerable in a highly competitive race against former President Donald Trump. Initially, Biden’s campaign was struggling to maintain enthusiasm among key voter groups, including young and minority voters. However, the entry of Kamala Harris has reinvigorated portions of the Democratic base, particularly among Black and Latino voters, where she is outperforming Biden's numbers.
🚨🚨 Congressional Democrats want Kamala Harris to wait until after the election to give her policy agenda.
Read that again… Have you ever heard of such a thing? pic.twitter.com/tIwLBRyw8q
— Mama Cloud (@MamaCl0ud) August 18, 2024
Yet, Harris’s sudden rise to the top of the ticket hasn't come without its challenges. Her tenure as Vice President has been marred by criticism, particularly over her handling of the border crisis—an issue many Democrats believe could severely impact her chances in a general election. Critics argue that Biden set her up for failure by assigning her such a politically volatile portfolio, making her a convenient target for the GOP and some disillusioned Democrats.
Despite these hurdles, recent polling suggests that Harris is making strides in battleground states. Polls from outlets like The New York Times and Fox News indicate that she is either neck-and-neck with Trump or even slightly ahead in key states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania. This shift has quelled some of the panic among Democrats who feared a devastating loss if Biden had remained the nominee.
Nearly a year ago, I predicted that Kamala would briefly become president just before the 2024 election.
The Hill is just now figuring it out… https://t.co/jhmwEDYiY2 pic.twitter.com/o8A5EiM9gV
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 18, 2024
Nevertheless, the prospect of Harris becoming president before the election is not entirely out of the question. Political analysts have pointed out that if Biden were to step down before the election, Harris, as Vice President, would assume the presidency, potentially allowing her to run as the incumbent. This scenario, while unconventional, could provide the Democrats with a strategic advantage, enabling Harris to leverage the powers of the presidency to bolster her campaign.
However, such a move would also be fraught with risks. For one, it could backfire by reinforcing narratives that Harris is not sufficiently experienced or popular to win the presidency on her own merits. Additionally, it might energize the Republican base, which has already been galvanized by Trump's return to the political arena and his selection of Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate .
Moreover, Harris faces an uphill battle in uniting a divided Democratic Party. The scars from the 2020 primaries, where Harris clashed with Biden, still linger among some Democratic donors and operatives. Her detractors within the party worry that her ambitions and past criticisms of Biden might alienate moderate voters and contribute to an electoral defeat.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, the Democratic Party must navigate these complexities carefully. Harris's ability to build on her current momentum and address the concerns of both her supporters and critics will be crucial in determining whether she can secure the presidency—either before or during the election. The coming months will be pivotal in shaping not only Harris's political future but also the broader trajectory of the Democratic Party as it confronts an increasingly unpredictable electoral landscape.
