Who is Kamala Harris, vice president of the Democratic Party, candidate to succeed Joe Biden?
With the announcement of the handover between the current Democratic President Joe Biden and his vice president to run in the next national elections, the cards are being reshuffled, while Trump was regaining his strength. But who is this discreet woman, with uncertain media charisma?
Californian Kamala Harris, 59, has long been a rising figure in the Democratic Party. Coming from a Jamaican family on her father’s side, an economist at Stanford, and an Indian on her mother’s side, an oncologist at Berkeley, the young Kamala lived as a teenager for several years in Canada after her parents’ divorce. For her higher education, she returned to the United States. With degrees in political science and law, she joined the California bar in 1990.
From California to Washington DC
In 2003, she became the district attorney for San Francisco, then in 2010, the attorney general of California, each time a first for a woman and a woman of color at that. The programs she implemented demonstrate her progressive approach: a program to reduce recidivism, training for judicial personnel, the use of body cameras, etc. In 2016, she was elected senator, a first for a woman of Indian-American origin. Her experience as a prosecutor allowed her to stand up to members of the Trump administration on numerous occasions during his term. After four years, she became vice president of the United States, after having run as a candidate for the Democratic nomination. Another first for the country.
After the tumultuous transition of power – former President Trump refusing to recognize the election results – and the 2020 Senate elections, Kamala Harris became a decisive arbiter as the upper house of Congress presented a perfect balance between Democrats and Republicans. On more than thirty occasions, Harris’ vote would tip the balance of decisions, particularly to accelerate aid related to the Covid-19 health crisis. More difficult would be the mission entrusted by Joe Biden concerning the migration crisis on the Mexican border: wanting to propose a more humane management of this humanitarian crisis, she was unable to advance the issue with the Central American countries from which many migrants come and through.
Weaknesses but character
Throughout the last few years, Kamala Harris has struggled to make a media breakthrough, often appearing hesitant when faced with certain major issues. Her often consensual expression is also often criticized. Enough to make her an easy target for opponents of her candidacy. Thus, candidate Trump quickly reacted to her nomination to succeed Joe Biden. In the past, he had already criticized her origins which would make her incompatible to represent the country. “She’s crazy, she’s crazy,” laughs the provocative Trump in his last hours, criticizing in particular her laughter deemed unnatural and often mocked on social networks.
But the violence of the Republicans’ reaction also expresses a difficulty. It is easier to attack a Joe Biden who is declining because of his increasingly visible medical difficulties than a woman and seasoned lawyer. Trump’s virulence towards a woman candidate risks turning against him, while Kamala Harris is the guarantor of women’s rights in the USA.
Asked what keeps her going in her important role, Kamala Harris admitted to working out every morning. And when she can, preparing Sunday night dinner for her family is another pillar of her personal balance. A Baptist, she has been married for ten years to a lawyer, and she supports his two children from a previous marriage.
Now it’s up to Kamala Harris to win the Democratic nomination after the party’s national convention, which will take place from August 19 to 22 in Chicago. And to officially be a candidate for the American presidential election on November 5.
