While I regret that Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) represents California, a state Biden can count in his column and thus doesn’t need any help winning, I think Harris should be Biden’s selection as VP running mate. Perry Bacon, Jr. presents quite the analysis of why Democrats prefer this or that candidate; not being a Democrat, I think I can simply state the reasons I think she’d be a good pick, if not for the traditional reasons of attracting more votes in the election:
- Biden owes the black community. Without the black community, Biden would be in his basement with no camera coverage. A lack of gratitude would impact him in many ways, some of which are not obvious, yet are critical.
- Harris, as successful State AG and Senator, and being of Black / Asian heritage, presents a positive role model for black and brown women of all ages – in fact, women of all ages.
- Harris is young, a couple of years younger than me, in fact. A whipper-snapper. And an important backup to Biden, if he should become ill, or worse. She is active, quite forward in her opinions, and experienced – all important attributes.
- She is attractive to moderate Democrats. For all the yakkity yak about Warren, she makes the Democratic middle nervous. She’s whip-smart, but too old to be a backup to Biden – and I think she’s effective as a Senator, so why waste her when she’s problematic in the VP role? Progressives may love Warren, but Harris will attract more votes – or at least not drive them away.
For me, the most attractive attribute is #2, because it’s a long-term good. She brings enough to the table to help Biden win the contest, but it’s her long term impact which will best benefit the United States.
I realize there’s nothing insightful in my list, but sometimes it helps just to enumerate reasons for the various candidates. Those are most of mine.
