Kamala Harris: The joker in the 2024 American presidential election?
The campaign for the 2024 American presidential election is marked by palpable tension. As Democratic candidate Joe Biden runs for a second term at the ripe old age of 80, eyes are turning to his running mate and current vice president, Kamala Harris. Not only does she represent a potential backup in the event of Biden’s incapacity, but she also plays a major role in mobilizing the electorate and representing the new generation.
Although Kamala Harris has taken a low-key stance as vice president, this strategy appears to be a healthy approach to carrying out her duties. Ellen Kountz, professor at INSEEC Paris and author of “Portraits of Veep, the incredible story of Kamala Harris”, emphasizes that discretion is required for a vice-president, in order to respect the position of the president in office. However, that doesn’t mean Harris isn’t working behind the scenes. Her career as attorney general and senator from California demonstrates her prudence and sense of calculated risk, a strategy that has been successful for her thus far.
However, polls indicate that Kamala Harris’ discretion has yet to bear fruit. According to data from FiveThirtyEight, less than 40% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the vice president, numbers similar to those of Joe Biden. However, the situation may well change.
Indeed, Kamala Harris recently began a university tour entitled “The Fight for Our Freedoms”, mainly focused on African-American audiences and ethnic minorities. This campus tour got off to a very promising start when it launched at the University of Pennsylvania, with fanfare, choreography and enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
In this campaign for 2024, Kamala Harris wants to mobilize young people and address important issues such as gun control, access to abortion, the environment and discrimination. Her role as a spokesperson for the next generation was highlighted during the presentation of an “Office for the Prevention of Gun Violence” at the White House, where she shared the stage with the president Joe Biden and Maxwell Frost, member of “Generation Z” and elected to Congress at just 26 years old.
But Kamala Harris is not limited to this role of spokesperson for youth. She also developed an international stature by touring Africa and South Korea. Ellen Kountz also emphasizes that the year 2024 will be a real challenge for the vice-president, because she will have to support the Democratic candidate in a tour across the 50 American states, an exhausting journey even for a younger candidate.. She will then have to take on the role of the marathon runner and prove her ability to be an indisputable political leader.
While some may wonder why Joe Biden isn’t giving him the spot, it seems clear that Democrats don’t want to take any chances against an opponent as tough as Donald Trump. Additionally, the Republican candidate is only slightly younger than Biden, raising questions about the physical and mental capacity of both candidates.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris plays an increasingly essential role in the campaign for the 2024 American presidential election. Her tour of universities and her mobilization of youth are major assets for the Democratic ticket. In addition, her international stature and solid political experience make her a contender capable of standing up to any opponent.