By late Sunday, Vice President Harris was gathering the crucial backing needed to secure the Democratic presidential nomination after President Biden’s historic decision to withdraw from the race.
Even with this likely nomination, the battle for November’s general election promises to be more challenging. The Democratic Party, reeling from Biden’s poor debate performance against former President Trump on June 27 in Atlanta, appears ready to avoid further internal drama.
Harris Edges Closer to Securing Democratic Nomination
This readiness is expected to help Harris emerge as the successor to Biden. The list of serious contenders against Harris has been consistently short and now appears even smaller. Prominent figures such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) have backed her candidacy.
The possibility of a remarkable left-wing challenger is also diminishing, with major progressives like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) endorsing Harris.
Speculation about Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) considering a run emerged late Sunday. However, his conservative views, previous engagement with the “No Labels” ticket, and tendency for self-promotion have made him a contentious figure in the Democratic Party, which he left in May.
It’s unclear if Manchin could meet the necessary requirements to become an official candidate, as he would need signatures from at least 300 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, set for Chicago next month.
This situation positions Harris to potentially make history. She has already achieved several milestones as vice president—being the first woman, the first Black person, and the first person of South Asian descent in the role. Now, the presidency is within her grasp.
Yet, the path to the presidency remains arduous. Discussions about the need for a meaningful contest for the Democratic nomination had been ongoing before Biden’s withdrawal.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who is reportedly in favor of a competitive process, has yet to endorse Harris. Former President Obama has also refrained from endorsing her.
Their hesitation might reflect a desire to avoid the appearance of prematurely endorsing a successor and show respect for Biden. Harris was the leading candidate to follow Biden, and her position seemed even more solidified on Sunday.
CNN commentator Van Jones described her as a “steamroller.” The primary challenge for Harris is whether she can defeat Trump in November.
Current polling averages from The Hill and Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) show Harris trailing Trump by 2 points, a margin similar to where Biden stood before withdrawing from the race. Harris’s supporters believe she can quickly close this gap with increased media attention, a united party, and renewed enthusiasm from activists and donors.
However, this optimism doesn’t capture the entire picture. The memory of Harris’s disappointing 2020 presidential campaign still lingers. She exited the race before the Iowa primary, and ongoing issues related to her authenticity and political stance continue to affect her.
Harris has also been a frequent target of conservative media, with attacks growing more personal during her vice presidency. Trump, for example, mocked her laugh at a recent rally, and his campaign advisers have criticized her effectiveness.
Harris’s supporters argue that these criticisms are superficial and that she faces higher scrutiny as a Black woman compared to her white or male counterparts. Nevertheless, these attacks have impacted her public image. Harris’s favorability rating in The Hill/DDHQ’s polling average is low, with only 38 percent of Americans viewing her positively and 56 percent negatively.
There remains the complex question of whether there are lingering biases against electing the first Black female president. Polling on such sensitive topics is challenging. While Obama’s election as the first Black president overcame many prejudices, recent female candidates, including Harris, Warren in 2020, and Clinton in 2016, have faced serious obstacles.
The road ahead for Harris is unlike any previous nominee’s, and whether it will lead to the White House or a major defeat remains to be seen.
