A couple years back, most pundits gave Vice President Harris little chance of becoming President. At best, she would be reelected with President Biden and serve four more years. She was generally disliked by the voters and Democrat leaders. Her polling numbers were below Biden’s – and his were not good.
Her strange cackle, word-salad rhetoric and perceived ineffectiveness in handling her assignments – immigration, voting rights legislation and abortion — kept her in the background. She had a problem maintaining staff and Biden’s staff are said to dislike her. There was friction between them.
In view of Biden’s age, it was argued that her unpopularity would be a negative consideration in voting for Biden. Harris was considered a drag on the ticket – and there were recommendations to have Biden pick a more popular person.
That was then … and this is now.
In the unpredictable and quirky world of politics, Harris has emerged as the likely successor to Biden if he should decide to withdraw. So, how did the metamorphosis come about?
It may have had its genesis with the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court – instantly making abortion a hot political topic. As the designated spokesperson on the subject, Harris was cast in the limelight of national dialogue.
Because of Biden’s declining cognitive abilities – and the need to keep old Joe away from too much unscripted public exposure – Harris was hitting the trail more than the President. And it was more than the abortion issue. She was showing up at international events representing the failing President – although Biden’s decline in mental acuity was still being concealed from the public.
Then there was the debate. Suddenly, this issue of succession was on the front burner. Harris was naturally on the list of hypothetical replacements should there be an open convention. That is not going to happen.
Team Biden says that Joe is going to hang in and let the people decide in the election. But is he really—or is that just a ruse to hand the presidency over to Harris?
Despite her downsides, Biden has maintained a personal fondness and loyalty for Harris. More importantly, Harris has a staunch ally in Jill Biden. It appears that Harris is the unstated choice to succeed Biden – either in four years (win or lose in 2024) … or as his successor should the top of the Biden/Harris team be unable to complete a second term – which is increasingly likely … or as his replacement should Biden withdraw.
If Biden is to hand over the presidency to Harris, he has to continue his campaign until after the Biden/Harris team is nominated as the official standard bearers. Biden could then withdraw with Harris having a virtual lock on taking over the top spot.
Biden could also resign his office. Harris would immediately become President of the United States with a lock on the top spot for the election.
Harris – who was once an unlikely future President – is now the pre-emptive favorite successor. She would inherit the Biden/Harris campaign structure – and the campaign war chest. While polls currently show President Trump beating Harris, she does better against the former President than any of the other potential Democrat candidates. Trump is ahead of Harris by a slim 47 to 45 percent in the most recent CNN poll – within the margin of error. On the downside, Harris has a favorable rating lower than Biden –descending to a 29 percent bottom.
With the support of the Bidens – control of the apparatus and money – it is unlikely that any other presidential wannabes would, or could, challenge her. The most likely challenger is California Governor Gavin Newsom – and he has been falling in popularity on his own.
Oh … and Harris seems to have tamed that cackle.
Whether there is a premeditated plan to give Harris the presidency or it will evolve over a further decline in Biden’s fortunes, Harris is in the political catbird seat at this moment.
So, there ‘tis.