Democrats rush to coronation Kamala Harris nominated as new presidential candidate There is a danger of squandering a very good crisis.
First, in the election Democracy itself A coronation might not be the best idea, since that would be a big deal, but an orderly, if somewhat raucous, democratic event is exactly that. Republican conventions are often A great disgust A celebration of Donald Trump. The Democrats should put on a show and let people see the actual democratic process unfold in real time.
Let’s say the Democratic National Committee finds four candidates vying for the party’s nomination. For the sake of argument, let’s call them Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. (It’s true that many of these candidates have already endorsed Harris, but in this scenario Harris herself would ask them to name them.)
Once on the shortlist, the Fantastic Four will hold a series of joint town hall meetings, culminating in a debate on the first day of the election moderated by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. These events will be lively yet harmonious, showcasing what democracy should be like. After years of watching Republicans be nasty and divisive towards each other,Fistfightthis will be a revelation.
It would also allow Harris, who is still relatively unknown nationally despite serving as vice president, to publicly define herself rather than leaving it to the Trump campaign, and Shapiro and Cooper were high on Harris’ list of potential running mates, allowing them to introduce themselves to voters.
For Democrats, one of the best things about having the real process unfold is that it will capture the nation’s political attention for more than a month. Everyone, regardless of party affiliation, will be glued to it. Why would Democrats squander an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the best of their party?
Choosing a candidate next month will also allow Democrats to think about how they want to run their campaign, because they’ll have a choice.
One option is trench warfare, continuing the Biden campaign’s themes but putting a more effective messenger at the forefront, which would bring America to another battleground state election where the margin of victory in the Electoral College is measured in a few thousand votes – and it’s also the one the Trump campaign can most easily counter.
Kamala Harris would be a very effective candidate for this type of campaign. As a former prosecutor, her personality lends itself well to being an aggressive advocate. She can think on her feet and is persuasive. For various reasons, she has not utilized the law enforcement portion of her background, but law and order is a big theme this term and a Harris attorney would be a great fit. Convicted Felon Donald Trump There are many good points.
But what if Democrats choose maneuvering instead?
Here’s how it works: Democrats will run a relentlessly upbeat and cheery campaign, leaving all the hard attacks (of which there will be a lot) to political action committees and surrogates. Street speeches will be relatively short and punchy, with themes like “Donald, why so gloomy? America is back and getting better.” This strategy will help remind voters that there is, in fact, a great deal of good news: Biden had a communications problem, not a performance problem.
Donald Trump’s most depressing claims are mostly lies. Violent crimebut it Actually downDig, dig, dig? America is now More Oil — gas This country has benefited more countries than any other country in history, or on Earth. Unemployment rate, Stock Market, Overall economyplease leave everything to us.
We are now in an election that paints a true vision of fear and hope. We are no longer arguing which will do more damage to the country, but whether we prefer a dystopian America or an optimistic America. This puts the Trump campaign at a total disadvantage. He wants to run a “No, U!” campaign. “You are a threat to democracy!” “Yes, it is!”
It’s been around for a while, but in the right circumstances, positive campaigning can be effective.American MorningThe theme of the election campaign was that it resulted in one of the largest landslide victories in American history.
Who is the right candidate for such a campaign? Harris could do it. She could be the right candidate for such a campaign.A little strangeShe likes to use a communication style that conveys a positive message, but a big part of it is offering something fresh to America. Gretchen Whitmer is the perfect choice: fresh, Midwestern, kind, populist.Good wayShe’s just the right person to lift America’s ugly spirits.
Kamala Harris would be a fine candidate, but don’t appoint her to the presidency. Now is not the time for half measures. We’ve come this far, so the Democratic Party should go all out and run the best possible campaign with the best candidate they can.
Chris TrucksHe is an appellate lawyer and registered Republican, and served as Southern California chairman for John McCain’s 2008 primary campaign.
