BY Dawn-Maria France, a British journalist.
Photo Credit: DOD Photo by US Airforce Senior Airman Kevin Tonebaum.
Biden had become a drag on the Democrat ticket. A 78-year-old Trump had somehow made Biden’s age an issue, and a poor debate performance followed by several gaffes made Biden’s position untenable. But Harris was arguably more of a drag. VPs rarely shine, but Harris is one of the least popular VPs ever: her approval rating hit a record low of 28% less than a year into office.
Her position was not helped by being tasked with complex issues, like undocumented immigration, allowing her opponent to claim she’s responsible for ‘an invasion’. At the same time, the GOP called for mass deportations. More unsavory attacks label her a ‘DEI hire’, a suggestion she isn’t the best candidate, and a dog whistle suggesting people of color and women are somehow lesser.
Yet Biden’s withdrawal may be a political masterstroke. When he named Harris as his running mate in 2020, she was chosen as someone who could take his place at a moment’s notice.
And it seems others share his confidence. Instead of triggering a divisive nomination battle, the Democrats quickly weighed in behind Harris. Even the lack of an Obama endorsement has not been an issue, and when that endorsement inevitably comes, it will be more a cherry on the cake than an essential for the Harris campaign.
There’s also evidence of that confidence outside the Democratic Party. Polling consistently showed they lacked behind Trump by around three points, whether under Biden or Harris. Now, polls conducted with Harris as the presumptive nominee show the position shifting, with several putting Harris in the lead.
The Dem’s faltering election has been revived. The Harris campaign has been welcomed with a massive surge in donations. Some veteran campaigners have compared the energy they feel to Obama’s 2008 Presidential run.
But this is not 2008. It is not an election like any other.
We saw first-hand what a Trump presidency means and are still paying the price of his Supreme Court battles.
Some members of the black community supporting Trump on his campaign trail wore T-shirts to show their backing. When interviewed, they expressed feeling that the Democrats unfairly targeted him and that this kind of politics was dishonest and unfit for a democratic society.
It’s undeniable that there were no wars under President Trump’s administration. Regardless of whether you like him, some argue that the world was safer during his tenure.
Simply being a black woman is not reason enough to vote for Harris. If you’re considering supporting her, looking closely at her policies and what she stands for is crucial. Is she the unifying candidate the country needs to come together? Similarly, examining his track record is essential if you’re leaning toward Trump. He has garnered support from African Americans, other minorities, and working-class Americans.
The choice between Trump and Harris is not just about an old white man and a black woman. It’s a decision between two candidates who aspire to serve their country. We should vote for the candidate who can effectively serve all people, even those who didn’t vote for them.
We need a united nation, which means a leader who is a President for all Americans. Let’s aspire for a future where unity prevails over division.
