[Correspondent Diary] The Humble Steps of the US Vice President-Elect

Call with Child Painter Who Drew Own Portrait During Visit to Small Business Market
Successfully Strengthening Political Base with Image Blending into Citizens
Contrasted with Former Secretary of State Clinton, Whose Image Was Tarnished by Populist Actions

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attracted attention during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. While President-elect Joe Biden did not make any public appearances at his residence, Harris showed various activities, signaling a different image of the vice presidency compared to the past.

Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President-elect, is holding up a T-shirt with "Madam Vice President" written on it.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 28th (local time), Harris visited a holiday market in Washington DC with her husband. The holiday market is a type of marketplace held during the year-end season from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Most local merchants temporarily open shops to sell Christmas souvenirs and other items.

At the market, Harris purchased Christmas decorations, cheese, and a T-shirt that read "Madam Vice President." When she held up the T-shirt, cheers erupted from those around her.

Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington DC who accompanied Harris on this surprise visit, tweeted, "Had a great time supporting local businesses with Vice President-elect Harris." Harris also emphasized on Twitter, "We need to support not only our local small business owners but small business owners nationwide."

Harris’s activities that day highlighted the importance of small business owners and drew public attention during the Thanksgiving holiday with her down-to-earth approach. Pro-Trump media outlets such as the New York Post and Fox News also gave positive evaluations of her visit.

During the Thanksgiving holiday period, Harris also became a topic of conversation on social media. She expressed gratitude while speaking on the phone with a young artist who painted her portrait.

The background is as follows. Tyler Gordon, a 14-year-old Black youth artist living in Oakland, posted a time-lapse video on Twitter showing him painting Harris’s portrait and asked to be tagged so that Harris could see it. Many people began liking and retweeting the post, including Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton.

Eventually, Harris saw the video and the painting. She personally called Gordon, repeatedly expressing her gratitude for the young artist’s talent and saying she would contact him when she visits her hometown of Oakland. This phone call spread widely on Twitter.

Gordon did not stop there; he also painted and revealed a portrait of President-elect Joe Biden.

Harris’s image contrasts with that of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made down-to-earth efforts ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Clinton struggled even to take the subway, and citizens responded coldly. Clinton’s failure to gain the support of ordinary people contributed to her unsuccessful presidential bid.

In South Korea as well, many politicians from both ruling and opposition parties disappointed citizens by eating fish cakes and tteokbokki at traditional markets. However, the down-to-earth approach of the U.S. female Black vice president-elect, who is a former prosecutor, seems to be succeeding.

Given President-elect Joe Biden’s advanced age, it is widely believed that Harris is likely to run in the 2024 presidential election. With her current popularity, the possibility seems quite high.

On the same day, when asked whether she would face President Trump again in the 2024 presidential election if he runs against Biden, Harris replied with a laugh, saying "Please." On that day, reports emerged that President Trump would announce his candidacy for the next presidential election on Biden’s inauguration day.

It is unclear whether Harris’s response meant she would not run against President Trump or that she might run as a presidential candidate herself. However, her laughter appeared full of confidence.