Is Kamala Harris Underrated?
14Digest
This episode of the Ezra Klein Show delves into the political paradox of Kamala Harris, exploring her strengths and weaknesses as a potential presidential candidate. The episode begins by discussing Harris's communication style, highlighting her ability to effectively deliver concise and targeted messages, particularly when defending Joe Biden. However, the episode also explores the perception of Harris as a poor communicator in broader contexts, attributing this to her background as a prosecutor and her tendency to avoid personal narratives. The episode then examines the challenges Harris faced during her vice presidency, including staff turmoil and a lack of clear direction from the Biden administration. The episode argues that the Biden administration's failure to strategically promote Harris's profile has contributed to her current perception as a weaker candidate. The episode concludes by discussing Harris's potential strengths as a presidential candidate, particularly her ability to prosecute a case against Donald Trump, and her potential to appeal to voters who are concerned about crime and disorder. The episode also explores the challenges Harris would face if she were to run for president, including the need to redefine herself beyond her role as Joe Biden's vice president.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the topic of the podcast episode, which is the political paradox of Kamala Harris. It also introduces the guest, Elena Plott-Colabro, a staff writer at The Atlantic, who previously covered politics at The New York Times. She is the author of a recent profile of Harris about her vice presidency.
Harris's Communication Style
This Chapter discusses Harris's communication style, highlighting her ability to effectively deliver concise and targeted messages, particularly when defending Joe Biden. However, the episode also explores the perception of Harris as a poor communicator in broader contexts, attributing this to her background as a prosecutor and her tendency to avoid personal narratives.
Harris's Background and Political Identity
This Chapter examines Harris's background and political identity, exploring how her experience as a prosecutor has shaped her communication style and her approach to politics. The episode argues that Harris's tendency to avoid personal narratives and her focus on metrics and data have contributed to her perception as a less relatable and less authentic politician.
Harris's Position on Crime and Justice
This Chapter discusses Harris's position on crime and justice, highlighting her past support for tough-on-crime policies and her more recent efforts to rebrand herself as a criminal justice reformer. The episode argues that Harris's past record on crime and justice has made it difficult for her to fully embrace progressive policies on these issues.
Biden's Role in Harris's Vice Presidency
This Chapter examines Biden's role in Harris's vice presidency, arguing that the Biden administration's failure to strategically promote Harris's profile has contributed to her current perception as a weaker candidate. The episode also discusses the challenges Harris faced during her vice presidency, including staff turmoil and a lack of clear direction from the Biden administration.
Harris's Selection as Vice President
This Chapter discusses Harris's selection as vice president, exploring the reasons why Biden chose her as his running mate. The episode also examines the challenges Harris faced in her role as vice president, including the difficulty of navigating a portfolio that was largely seen as a no-win situation.
Harris's Potential as a Presidential Candidate
This Chapter discusses Harris's potential as a presidential candidate, particularly her ability to prosecute a case against Donald Trump, and her potential to appeal to voters who are concerned about crime and disorder. The episode also explores the challenges Harris would face if she were to run for president, including the need to redefine herself beyond her role as Joe Biden's vice president.
Keywords
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the 49th and current vice president of the United States. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office. Harris was born in Oakland, California, and is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants. She graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Harris served as the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011 and as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. She was elected to the United States Senate in 2016. Harris is a member of the Democratic Party. She is known for her progressive views on issues such as criminal justice reform, healthcare, and climate change. Harris is a strong advocate for women's rights and racial justice. She is also a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Claymont, Delaware. He graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School. Biden served in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009. He was elected vice president in 2008 and served two terms under President Barack Obama. Biden is known for his moderate views on issues such as healthcare, education, and the environment. He is a strong advocate for working families and the middle class. Biden is also a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States. He is a member of the Republican Party. Trump was born in Queens, New York, and is a businessman and television personality. He is known for his controversial statements and policies. Trump is a strong advocate for American businesses and the American economy. He is also a vocal critic of immigration and trade deals. Trump is a polarizing figure, and his presidency has been marked by controversy and division.
Presidential Election
A presidential election is an election in which the voters of a country elect their head of state. In the United States, the presidential election is held every four years. The president is elected by the Electoral College, which is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, constituted every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with each state's number of electors equal to the number of its senators (two) plus the number of its representatives in the House of Representatives. The District of Columbia has three electors. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes (at least 270) wins the presidency. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives elects the president from among the top three candidates. The vice president is elected by the Senate from among the top two candidates for vice president.
Political Communication
Political communication is the process by which information is exchanged between political actors and the public. It can take many forms, including speeches, debates, advertisements, and social media posts. Political communication is essential for building support for candidates and policies, and for shaping public opinion. It is also a key factor in the success or failure of political campaigns. Political communication is a complex and multifaceted field, and there is a growing body of research on its impact on political behavior. Some of the key areas of research in political communication include the effects of media coverage on public opinion, the role of social media in political campaigns, and the impact of political advertising on voter behavior.
Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform is a broad term that refers to efforts to improve the criminal justice system. These efforts can include changes to laws, policies, and practices. Criminal justice reform is a complex and multifaceted issue, and there is no single definition of what it means. However, some of the key areas of focus in criminal justice reform include reducing mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and improving rehabilitation programs for offenders. Criminal justice reform is a growing movement, and there is increasing public support for efforts to improve the criminal justice system. There are many different organizations and individuals working on criminal justice reform, and there is a wide range of perspectives on the best way to achieve these goals.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum. The Democratic Party's platform is based on social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection. The party's core values include equality, opportunity, and fairness. The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the United States. It was founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson. The party has been in power for many years, and has been responsible for many important pieces of legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The Democratic Party is currently led by President Joe Biden.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum. The Republican Party's platform is based on limited government, individual liberty, and free markets. The party's core values include freedom, opportunity, and responsibility. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists. The party has been in power for many years, and has been responsible for many important pieces of legislation, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Republican Party is currently led by former President Donald Trump.
Political Paradox
A political paradox is a situation in which two or more seemingly contradictory ideas or statements are both true. Political paradoxes can be difficult to resolve, and they often lead to debate and disagreement. Some examples of political paradoxes include the fact that democracy can lead to tyranny, that free markets can lead to inequality, and that peace can lead to war. Political paradoxes are often used by politicians and commentators to make a point or to challenge conventional wisdom. They can also be used to highlight the complexities of political issues and to encourage critical thinking.
Public Perception
Public perception is the way in which the public views a particular person, organization, or issue. It is shaped by a variety of factors, including media coverage, personal experiences, and social interactions. Public perception can be positive, negative, or neutral. It can also be influenced by biases and stereotypes. Public perception is important because it can influence people's behavior and decisions. For example, public perception of a company can affect its sales, while public perception of a politician can affect their chances of being elected. Public perception is a complex and dynamic phenomenon, and it is constantly changing. It is important to be aware of public perception and to understand how it is shaped.
Q&A
What are some of the key strengths and weaknesses of Kamala Harris as a potential presidential candidate?
Harris's strengths include her ability to effectively deliver concise and targeted messages, particularly when defending Joe Biden. She is also seen as a strong debater and has a proven track record as a prosecutor. However, Harris's weaknesses include her perception as a poor communicator in broader contexts, her tendency to avoid personal narratives, and her past support for tough-on-crime policies. She has also faced challenges during her vice presidency, including staff turmoil and a lack of clear direction from the Biden administration.
How has the Biden administration's handling of Harris's vice presidency contributed to her current perception as a weaker candidate?
The Biden administration has been criticized for failing to strategically promote Harris's profile and for not giving her more opportunities to shine. This has led to a perception that Harris is not ready for prime time and that she is not a strong enough candidate to succeed Biden. The administration's reluctance to engage with questions about Harris's potential to step in for Biden has also contributed to this perception.
What are some of the key challenges Harris would face if she were to run for president?
Harris would face the challenge of redefining herself beyond her role as Joe Biden's vice president. She would also need to overcome the perception that she is a weaker candidate than Biden. Additionally, she would need to develop a clear and compelling vision for the future of the country and to articulate her own policies and priorities.
How does Harris's background as a prosecutor affect her communication style and her approach to politics?
Harris's background as a prosecutor has shaped her communication style and her approach to politics. As a prosecutor, she was trained to focus on metrics and data, and to present a clear and concise case. This has led to a perception that she is more comfortable delivering targeted messages than engaging in broader conversations about policy or ideology. Her tendency to avoid personal narratives and to focus on facts and figures has also contributed to her perception as a less relatable and less authentic politician.
What are some of the key issues that Harris has focused on during her vice presidency?
Harris has focused on a number of key issues during her vice presidency, including immigration, voting rights, and climate change. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights and racial justice. However, she has faced challenges in making progress on these issues, particularly in the area of immigration, where she has been criticized for her handling of the border crisis.
How does Harris's communication style compare to that of other politicians?
Harris's communication style is often compared to that of Hillary Clinton, who also struggled with the question of authenticity and with seeming like she was being herself when giving a big speech. However, Harris is seen as being more warm and magnetic in private settings than Clinton. She is also seen as being more comfortable in smaller groups and in one-on-one conversations than in large public settings.
What are some of the key factors that have shaped public perception of Kamala Harris?
Public perception of Kamala Harris has been shaped by a number of factors, including her communication style, her background as a prosecutor, her performance during her vice presidency, and the media coverage of her. Her communication style has been both praised and criticized, with some seeing her as a strong and effective communicator, while others see her as a less relatable and less authentic politician. Her background as a prosecutor has also been a source of both support and criticism, with some seeing her as a tough and experienced leader, while others see her as too focused on law and order and not enough on social justice. Her performance during her vice presidency has also been mixed, with some seeing her as a capable and effective leader, while others see her as a less experienced and less effective politician. The media coverage of Harris has also been mixed, with some outlets portraying her in a positive light, while others portray her in a more negative light.
What are some of the key challenges that Harris would face if she were to run for president in 2024?
Harris would face a number of challenges if she were to run for president in 2024. She would need to overcome the perception that she is a weaker candidate than Biden. She would also need to develop a clear and compelling vision for the future of the country and to articulate her own policies and priorities. Additionally, she would need to build a strong campaign team and to raise significant funds. She would also need to navigate a crowded field of potential Democratic candidates, including potential challengers from the progressive wing of the party.
What are some of the key differences between Harris's political views and those of other Democratic leaders?
Harris's political views are generally considered to be moderate. She is a strong supporter of criminal justice reform, but she has also been criticized for her past support for tough-on-crime policies. She is also a strong supporter of women's rights and racial justice. However, she has been criticized for her handling of the border crisis and for her lack of a clear vision for the future of the country. Harris's political views are often compared to those of Hillary Clinton, who is also seen as a moderate Democrat. However, Harris is seen as being more progressive on some issues, such as criminal justice reform. She is also seen as being more in touch with the concerns of working families and the middle class.
Show Notes
If Joe Biden steps aside for the Democratic presidential nomination — still a very big if — the favorite to replace him is Vice President Kamala Harris. In recently leaked post-debate polling from Open Labs, Harris polled better than Biden in matchups against Trump.
In 2019, Dana Goodyear wrote in The New Yorker, “As a Black, female law-and-order Democrat, Harris creates a kind of cognitive dissonance.” The profile Harris inhabited then would be welcome in an election year where disorder is on voters’ minds and the Republicans are nominating a convicted felon. But Harris hasn’t inhabited that political profile for years. And since becoming Biden’s vice president the conventional wisdom on her has shifted: She’s gone from rising star — many thought her “the next Obama” — to political underachiever.
So I’ve had a few questions about Harris. What accounted for the fast fall from grace after she took the vice presidency? What happened to the smart-on-crime prosecutor we once saw? What has the White House done — or not done — to build her profile? And are critics of Harris fair, or is she underrated now?
I’m joined by Elaina Plott Calabro, a staff writer at The Atlantic who traveled with Harris extensively for a major profile last year. I left this conversation with a very different theory of who Harris is, what her politics are and what led to the confusions of her vice presidency.
Mentioned:
“The Kamala Harris Problem” by Elaina Plott Calabro
“Biden Plunges in Swing States in Leaked Post-Debate Poll” by Peter Hamby
Smart on Crime by Kamala D. Harris, with Joan O'C. Hamilton ·
Book Recommendations:
Southerners by Marshall Frady
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
The Company She Keeps by Mary McCarthy
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Isaac Jones and Aman Sahota. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Carole Sabouraud.
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United States
Kamala Harris spent last 3yrs acting like a "dim-bulb" diversity hire while in public, with overly simplistic explanations and incomprehensible word salads. Now we are told, "she is actually really, really smart when she is behind closed doors., and capable of being an effective leader of the Free world.