Link. A video, low key and cordial, but focused.
A
writer who, herself, represents a better choice than Harris, with a diverse pairing vs. two law and order, tough on crime apologists. Using that, the we need an orderly workforce opera, and other rhetoric as means of yet more marginalizing of those already marginalized by the Biden donor class. A VP possibility, quite remote but put likelihood aside for the moment, one young, bright, female, black and progressive. Progessive being the corner stone. One distanced a bit from the form of identity politics Biden's champion Rep. Clyburn represents while holding a place in line behind Pelosi and Hoyer because aside from race he differs little from those two.
But Kamala Harris as the second ticket spot would insult many. As a self-identified presidential possibility, she was single digit. Including among black voters. That speaks, not as against identity politics, but as against Harris. Female, black, articulate and without any traction anywhere.
Biden has the choice, he has advisers, and he has Harris on the short list from all we see the Biden people releasing to mainstream media and MSM telling us about the "soundings" they get from individuals familiar with details but not authorized to speak on the record. There are other black women who would meet the Clyburn quid pro quo request, as to blackness and gender, but probably none beyond Harris who would be as resonant as with who Clyburn appears to be.
UPDATE:
More. Beyond that show of capability and grace, Gray has
written of Harris, being critical, but in no way mean or dismissive; and in the broader context of pros and cons of identity politics.
Politico has written recently and more nastily, via a three member committee,
"‘She had no remorse’: Why Kamala Harris isn't a lock for VP -
No one disputes she's the frontrunner to be Biden's No. 2. But there are lingering doubts, primarily over the issue of trust."
Here's
Breitbart raising a red-flag question about the message behind the message. Each of the items, Politico's and Breitbart's have lead photos, Breitbart's being more suggestive. From the Politico item:
While some of Harris' detractors say
they’re still concerned about her record as California attorney general,
others who interacted with her earlier in her career told the Biden
team they're wary of how she would conduct herself as a No. 2.
Still, others have raised concerns
about Harris’ presidential campaign itself, which launched with great
promise before 22,000 people, but steadily lost ground. Harris dropped
out a month before the Iowa caucuses.
“Look for someone who does no harm,” former California Democratic Party Chair John Burton said he told Dodd.
Burton said he worried President Donald Trump and GOP allies would
weaponize Harris’ clash with Biden on the debate stage over race.
Despite those question marks, there are compelling reasons why Harris hasn't budged from the top of Biden VP lists.
No other contender matches her
experience as someone who was elected three times statewide in the
largest state in the nation and has gone through the wringer of a
presidential campaign. As the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and
India, she would be a historic selection.
Her prosecutorial chops inspire
confidence that she would hold her own, and then some, against Vice
President Mike Pence in a debate. She was close with Biden’s late son
Beau, a fact that might help offset lingering doubts about the busing
attack.
Karen Bass would be a more discrete choice, and as assuredly more progressive than Harris ever was, she would satisfy progressive distaste for how Biden was pushed by establishment Democrats [and Bloomberg] while Bernie was stabbed by the same contingent, much as Ellison was stabbed while seeking to head DNC.
And Bass vs Pence in a VP debate? Bring on the popcorn and watch a pro against an amateur whose sinking career was rescued by Trump. She would handle things without a show of meanness, something Harris might be capable of doing.
