The Democratic Party appears to be grappling with a significant internal dilemma that has placed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a precarious political bind. In the wake of the high energy and charisma of former President Barack Obama, Biden emerged as the stabilizing figure capable of averting the party from veering too far left under the influence of Bernie Sanders and his progressive allies. However, the decision Biden made during the heated summer of 2020 to appoint a black woman (essentially a DEI hire…) as his running mate, namely Kamala Harris, anointed him with a promise that could very well shape his political future and the fate of his party.
Biden’s choice to select Harris, who was the sole black woman in the Senate yet failed to gain traction in the Democratic presidential primaries, ensured that she would be seen as his heir apparent. This strategic move solidified Biden’s second-term ambitions but also tethered him to Harris’s political standing. Her tepid defense of Biden’s recent debate performance against former President Donald Trump for the upcoming 2024 election highlighted the weak spots in Biden’s administration, a spectacle that has left many questioning the leadership dynamics within the Democratic Party.
During a recent discussion with Anderson Cooper, Harris’s hesitance to vigorously defend Biden was evident. She conceded that Biden’s debate performance had a “slow start” but tried to pivot to a “strong finish”, a sentiment that Cooper found unconvincing. Her characteristically deflective responses during this exchange only underscored the growing doubts about Biden’s capabilities and the future of his administration.
Harris attempted to emphasize the substance of a president’s deeds over debate performances, but the comparison to Biden’s more vigorous persona during the 2019 primary debates left little comfort. The depiction of Biden as somewhat incoherent and out of touch did little to bolster confidence in the administration’s current trajectory, resonating as a weak acknowledgment of the challenges ahead rather than a robust defense.
The complex political calculus is that Harris’s career trajectory is intrinsically linked with Biden’s future decisions. Should Biden opt not to seek re-election, Harris’s position as the most logical successor becomes critical. This concerns many within the party who fear that any attempt to sidestep Harris might fracture the fragile coalition that emphasizes diversity and representation within the Democratic ranks.
Amidst this backdrop, Harris’s reflection on Biden’s debate performance noted that, despite the slow start, Biden maintained her support, which stands in stark contrast to former Vice President Mike Pence’s stance on Trump’s candidacy. This comparison, however, did little to mitigate the foundational issue: Harris’s aligned yet tepid stance on Biden’s apparent vulnerabilities. This lack of a compelling defense poses significant questions about the intersectional unity within the party and the practical viability of leadership continuity when faced with the immense burden of governance challenges.
The internal dynamics within the Democratic Party are heading towards a critical juncture, where the ideological orientations and leadership strategies will either align to solidify their base or potentially unravel the coalition that brought them to power. These developments demand focused attention from voters and stakeholders as they grapple with the pressing issues that define America’s immediate and long-term future. The ability of the Biden-Harris administration to navigate these turbulent waters will significantly influence both their political survival and the nation’s policy direction ahead of the pivotal 2024 elections.
