The Fighter Who Pressured Biden, First Black Female Vice Presidential Candidate

Democratic Party Vice Presidential Nominee
Possible Challenge in Next Presidential Election
Trump's Immediate Attack on "Radical Left"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Kamala Harris, a senator, has been finally chosen as the 'running mate' of Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate who has attracted high interest as the 'next-next presidential candidate.' Not only did she earn the title of the 'first Black female vice-presidential candidate,' but if elected vice president, she could also aim to become the 'first female president' in the future. As a former prosecutor and a progressive woman, she is evaluated as the optimal candidate to cover Biden's weaknesses and compete against President Donald Trump.

On the 11th (local time), after much deliberation, Biden announced that he would nominate Senator Harris as his vice-presidential candidate. In an email sent to supporters that day, Biden explained his choice by saying Harris is "the best person to help lead this country with me starting January 2021."

Harris is regarded as a figure who fits the criteria for selecting a vice-presidential candidate who can cover the presidential candidate's weaknesses. Since she is Black and progressive, she can compensate for Biden's moderate stance. She can also secure support from female voters. Their home regions complement each other well, as Biden is from Delaware in the East, while Harris is from California in the West. Additionally, she graduated from Howard University, a prestigious historically Black university, and after entering society as a prosecutor, she has a brilliant career, including being elected San Francisco District Attorney in 2004 and California Attorney General in 2011.

Local media have evaluated Harris's nomination as vice-presidential candidate as representing Asian Americans despite being Black. She was born to a Jamaican economist father and an Indian mother. This is why she is classified as both Black and Asian. The New York Times (NYT) emphasized the significance by stating, "Harris is the first Indian-American descendant and the first Black person to run in a nationwide election for a major party."

Although Harris has been continuously mentioned as a vice-presidential candidate, attention was drawn to the fact that she and Biden had clashed during the party's presidential primary. In last year's primary, Harris attacked Biden for opposing busing. Busing refers to the policy of transporting students by bus between school districts to integrate Black and white students. Harris's offensive was reportedly quite a shock to Biden.

However, the focus on Biden's camp for the vice-presidential candidate is because Harris has secured a favorable position not only as the first Black female vice president but also effectively for the next-next presidential election. If Biden wins and takes office next year at age 78, it is highly likely he will not run for re-election four years later. In that case, it is widely expected that Harris will leverage the vice-presidential spotlight to run as a presidential candidate. The Associated Press (AP) noted that Biden has referred to himself as a 'transitional president' and predicted that if Biden serves only one term, Harris is likely to become the leading candidate for the next presidential election. The Washington Post evaluated, "This decision sends a strong message not only for the upcoming November election but also for the future of the Democratic Party."

Immediately after being nominated as the vice-presidential candidate, Harris expressed her determination to support Biden's election through Twitter. She stated, "Joe Biden can unite the American people," and "As president, he will build an America that lives up to our ideals."

Democratic figures also immediately expressed their welcome. Former President Barack Obama said, "Harris has fought to uphold the Constitution and for those who need fair opportunities." Former President Bill Clinton also praised her as the best choice. Major foreign media evaluated Harris as "a partner well-suited to attack Trump."

In U.S. political circles, there are already forecasts that Harris will strongly challenge Vice President Mike Pence in the TV debate. Harris left a strong impression not only in the Democratic presidential primary debates but also with sharp questions during the confirmation hearings of Attorney General William Barr and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh under the Trump administration.

President Trump immediately expressed caution about Harris. At a briefing held that day, Trump said he was surprised by Harris's nomination and remarked, "Harris treated Biden even worse than 'Pocahontas' (a nickname Trump uses for Senator Elizabeth Warren)." After Harris's nomination announcement, Trump also claimed on Twitter that she is a radical leftist and has strongly criticized Biden.