Kamala Harris, currently serving as Vice President under Joe Biden and formerly recognized as the most progressive U.S. Senator by GovTrack in 2019, has embarked on a presidential campaign fraught with strategic challenges.
Breitbart reported that her team is reportedly devising ways to manage the perception of her past as she vies for independent voters who may be wary of her radically liberal actions during her tenure. In other words, Harris's team is covering up her nasty past pushing some of the most unhinged and radical ideas that make her old boss look truly moderate.
Ranked the least electable by The New York Times out of ten potential Democrat nominees, Harris's record includes supporting policies that strengthen liberal stances, from immigration to healthcare.
Throughout her career, she has cosponsored significant pieces of legislation like protections for undocumented immigrants, Medicare for All, and the Green New Deal, among others. Even before she was a Senator, she was pushing extremely harmful policies including reclassifying possession of date rape drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Politico Playbook recently highlighted that Harris's campaign strategists are focused on mitigating potential backlash relating to her record in the Senate and as Vice President. The concern primarily revolves around her endorsements of policies considered extreme by some middle and right-leaning segments.
Harris, in her bid for the presidency, is consciously shifting the narrative towards her accomplishments as the Vice President over the past four years.
This strategic choice aims to foreground the administrative successes over her previous ideological commitments that earned her a radical tag.
Despite her progressive record, Harris remains closely aligned with the policies of President Joe Biden, with whom she has worked closely for three years. This partnership is central to both her strategy and rhetoric. She has frequently voiced support for Biden's policy decisions, emphasizing their shared accomplishments in her campaign speeches.
In one notable instance, Harris lavished praise on Biden's presidential accomplishments, stating, “Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern. In one term—he has already—yes, you may clap. In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office."
Harris's strategists are aware of the scrutiny she might face from past comments and stances.
There is a constant effort to balance her public appearances and statements to prevent rebels her reputation from and be during her senatorial days from overshadowing her current role as a unifying figure in the administration.
By addressing concerns head-on and redirecting focus, Harris aims to maintain her connectivity with Biden’s accomplishments and legacy, acknowledging that distancing herself from the present administration could be detrimental to her campaign.
Maintaining coherence with the Biden administration’s policies and accomplishments has allowed Harris to continue her role without substantial shifts in her political stance. This consistency is likely a tactical move to preserve the integrity and continuity of their shared leadership while appealing to a broader electoral base.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris's presidential campaign is a tightrope walk of redefining her political persona without distancing herself from her foundational beliefs and achievements.
As her team strategizes over the best ways to present her record to attract independents and moderates, her ability to align past liberalism with current roles remains pivotal. Her association with Biden’s legacy, coupled with a strategic realignment of her previously held positions, reveals a complex yet calculated effort to redefine her political narrative as the 2024 presidential election approaches.