Kamala Harris: How Strong a Democratic Nominee?

With President Biden’s decision not to run for a second term, the overwhelming likelihood is that the Democratic nominee will be Kamala Harris. That’s doubly true now that Biden has endorsed her. In principle, it’s possible for the Democratic National Committee to come up with a process for an open convention. But Democrats are sick to death of being in this interminable limbo, where uncertainly about their nominee fragments the party, saps energy, and keeps the focus on their own weaknesses rather than where it should be—on the toxic craziness of Donald Trump. That’s the prime reason why the party will likely unite behind Harris, and fast. A secondary reason is that passing over her would be an affront to any sitting vice president, and especially to a woman of African American and Asian American heritage. Even if an open convention could somehow find its way to an arguably stronger candidate such as Gretchen Whitmer (and there is no guarantee), the costs to party unity and another lost month of limbo and division would not be worth it. So let’s assume that Harris is the nominee. How much better than Biden will she be? More from Robert Kuttner I’ve never...