
<p>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. ;</p>



<p>Her strange cackle, word-salad rhetoric and perceived ineffectiveness in handling her assignments – immigration, ; voting rights legislation and abortion &#8212; 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>That was then &#8230; and this is now.</p>



<p>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?</p>



<p>It may have had its genesis with the overturning of <em>Roe v. Wade</em> 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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? </p>



<p>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) &#8230; or as his successor should the top of the Biden/Harris team be unable to complete a second term – which is increasingly likely &#8230; or as his replacement should Biden withdraw.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Oh &#8230; and Harris seems to have tamed that cackle.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Will Harris replace Biden?
