President Biden’s decision to bow out of the November election leaves a path for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him that would have seemed unlikely for most of the last three years, when she was seen as a drag on his reelection prospects as her approval numbers in polls lagged behind her boss’.
But Democratic desperation and Harris’ own recent performance as a vigorous administration spokesperson and loyal deputy have changed her fortunes. If she receives the nomination, Harris would be the first woman of color to head a national ticket and, if she wins, the first female president.
Several recent polls show Harris is now in close striking distance, within one or two percentage points, in a head-to-head matchup against former President Trump. Republicans, preparing for a possible Harris candidacy since Biden’s poor debate performance in June, have been resurfacing old clips of her, mocking her sometimes awkward public speaking style, blaming her for "covering up" Biden's frailty and tying her to the high number of arrests at the southern border that have occurred under Biden’s watch.
Many anxious Democrats have clamored for other candidates, including Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California or Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania — worrying that Harris remains too polarizing a figure to win a majority of voters.
She has ground to make up against Trump and her national approval rating, while improved, remains at about 39%, compared with 50% of voters who don't approve of her, according to the latest 538 polling average. She also has ground to make up in swing states, according to polls.
But Harris, 59, has the advantage of experience on a national ticket, direct access to the campaign’s fundraising apparatus and name recognition, all of which make her a favorite to secure what will be an unprecedented nomination for whoever wins it. She can also run on the administration's policy accomplishments, which Democrats believe are popular even if Biden, 81, is not.
“The advantages vice presidents have is they have depth and reach,” said Elaine Kamarck, a Democratic delegate and author of “Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates.”
Biden’s opinion carries weight. But once he releases his delegates, they would be unbound by his wishes, meaning any number of candidates can try to win a majority of more than 4,500 voting party delegates. In his letter Sunday, he praised Harris as an "extraordinary partner."
He endorsed Harris in a subsequent tweet.
"My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," he wrote. "And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."
Another advantage for Harris is that many delegates have said they are eager for a smooth process, given the chaotic preceding weeks. Whoever wins the nomination would also have to choose a running mate in time for the convention, likely from among the same group of contenders for the top slot.
But Democratic desperation and Harris’ own recent performance as a vigorous administration spokesperson and loyal deputy have changed her fortunes. If she receives the nomination, Harris would be the first woman of color to head a national ticket and, if she wins, the first female president.
Several recent polls show Harris is now in close striking distance, within one or two percentage points, in a head-to-head matchup against former President Trump. Republicans, preparing for a possible Harris candidacy since Biden’s poor debate performance in June, have been resurfacing old clips of her, mocking her sometimes awkward public speaking style, blaming her for "covering up" Biden's frailty and tying her to the high number of arrests at the southern border that have occurred under Biden’s watch.
Many anxious Democrats have clamored for other candidates, including Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California or Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania — worrying that Harris remains too polarizing a figure to win a majority of voters.
She has ground to make up against Trump and her national approval rating, while improved, remains at about 39%, compared with 50% of voters who don't approve of her, according to the latest 538 polling average. She also has ground to make up in swing states, according to polls.
But Harris, 59, has the advantage of experience on a national ticket, direct access to the campaign’s fundraising apparatus and name recognition, all of which make her a favorite to secure what will be an unprecedented nomination for whoever wins it. She can also run on the administration's policy accomplishments, which Democrats believe are popular even if Biden, 81, is not.
“The advantages vice presidents have is they have depth and reach,” said Elaine Kamarck, a Democratic delegate and author of “Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates.”
Biden’s opinion carries weight. But once he releases his delegates, they would be unbound by his wishes, meaning any number of candidates can try to win a majority of more than 4,500 voting party delegates. In his letter Sunday, he praised Harris as an "extraordinary partner."
He endorsed Harris in a subsequent tweet.
"My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," he wrote. "And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."
Another advantage for Harris is that many delegates have said they are eager for a smooth process, given the chaotic preceding weeks. Whoever wins the nomination would also have to choose a running mate in time for the convention, likely from among the same group of contenders for the top slot.
