Kamala Harris: Can the Underrated Trailblazer Beat Trump?
AFP/APP
Washington: It was a quiet Sunday morning in July when US Vice President Kamala Harris received a call that would alter the course of her career and American politics.
President Joe Biden informed her of his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse her as the Democratic nominee, marking a remarkable shift and presenting Harris with the opportunity to make history.
Initially facing record-low approval ratings, Harris’s trajectory transformed rapidly. She launched a campaign that electrified the Democratic base, holding rallies, amassing over $1 billion in funding, and infusing new energy into the party.
Now, however, polls reveal a tight race between the 60-year-old Democrat and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. On November 5, Harris aims to secure her place as the first female president in US history.
Political analysts highlight the challenges Harris faces in her unprecedented journey. “Usually, candidates campaign for two years, and she’s been running since late July,” observed David Karol, a government and politics professor at the University of Maryland.
As America’s first female, Black, and South Asian vice president, Harris has continually broken barriers, though not without setbacks.
Her initial vice-presidential term was marred by criticism of her handling of policy issues, notably on illegal immigration—a role assigned by Biden—which earned her the Republican label of a failed “border czar.”
However, the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn the federal right to abortion became a turning point for Harris, as she championed reproductive rights and gained momentum.
Recognized for her diplomatic assignments on Ukraine and the Middle East, Harris had already begun preparations for a 2028 presidential run. However, Biden’s early exit thrust her into the 2024 race. Harris’s persistence and resilience are forcing even her staunchest opponents to reconsider.
Trump, who previously dismissed her with sexist and racist taunts, was left on the defensive during their recent debate, where Harris effectively turned his criticisms against him.
Whether Harris can overcome Trump remains uncertain, but she has proven to be a formidable challenger, reenergizing the Democratic base and defying early doubts.
