By Larry Johnson
Just some random thoughts about Joe Biden’s selection of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate.
— It’s time we had a female vice-president. President, too, but that’s obviously not going to happen in 2020. And we’ve never had a minority vice-president.
–This is one time when the Democratic Party’s progressives need to support a more moderate slate. Politics is a game of compromise, for one thing. But the big thing is, I don’t think America can live through another four years of Donald Trump. Some Bernie Bros are around social media today posting anti-Harris stuff, and, while I agree with many of their positions, this election isn’t about them. I think it COULD be about saving the country.
— I can’t wait to see Harris debate Mike Pence. There will be only one vice-presidential debate, in October, so Harris shouldn’t have to hold anything back. Her background is as a prosecutor, and she should prosecute the hell out of Donald Trump via Pence. That could be a mismatch.
— Will Pence want to be viewed as attacking a Black woman? I don’t think so. Will Harris want to be seen as attacking a white-haired Trump apologist? Sure.
— Harris has a reputation and a reality as an excellent fund-raiser. Trump will have plenty of money, and Harris may be able to help Biden raise funds from wealthy California donors.
— Will Harris’s record as a prosecutor hurt her with voters who aren’t too crazy about her full prosecution of minor drug crimes? My question is: Where are people concerned about overly-zealous prosecution of minor drug crimes going to go? Trump and Pence? Nope. And they should NOT stay home.
— Biden is 77. Harris is 55. She’s old enough to have some experience and young enough and enegetic enough to take over if she has to,
— I liked the fact that, during a debate, she nailed Biden for cooperating with segregationists. I didn’t like the moment’s staged quality, but I thought she made a valid point. I like the fact that she didn’t apologize to Biden late (at least not in public.) And, even more, I liked the fact that Biden didn’t hold it against her. Imagine Trump’s tweets if that had been him.
