This is a very interesting piece. Lawrence O’Donnell has expounded on this theme and on how he recognized a very long time ago, when Harris was an up-and-comer in California politics, that she was a rate talent who could one day be president.
We should probe at this a little more to understand why the conventional wisdom on Harris missed her talent, her charisma and her skill. Was it laziness, where reporters seem to just expound on whatever the prevailing wisdom is, was it a subconscious bias seeing her as a “DEI” vice president? Whatever it was, it’s pretty clear from what she’s showing us now that most of our prominent political minds never saw this coming.
Maybe in the long run, it’s better for her. In this role, she has introduced herself directly to the American people where they can judge for themselves without pre-existing narratives (except for the Fox crowd, who can’t figure out how to square real Kamala Harris with their bogeyman Kamala Harris).
I feel the whole -why won’t she do an interview with me, I don’t know who she is- dance around is an attempt to blame Harris herself for the corporate media’s lack of coverage. They hoped ignoring her, rendering her invisible to the people who consume mainstream media, would render her powerless and crawling to them for coverage. She maneuvered around, under, and over them to take her evidence of clear, exceptional competence directly to the people. Just this fact alone, that she can move outside the bigot’s box of low expectations and reach voters on her own terms..... she’s super smart and I hope enough voters recognize her talents and put her where she deserves to be.
Joe Biden’s instinct and political savvy were right on when he showed his statesmanship in putting country over party! Kamala Harris is a quick learner and she's got good instincts also!
I read that "some" advised her not to go with "We Won't Go Back" or calling repugnants "weird"! There isn't anything at all wrong with those!
Grateful as a California voter (and Bay Area resident) to have had a front row view of VP Harris and her political career as it developed. My regional and age cohort pride in her have always been strong, I can only begin to imagine the pride of Black women and South Asian women in her ascent!
Amen. The media and national Democrats ignored Harris only to be blindsided when she rocketed to top. As a lifelong CA denizen, I've known for a while that Harris is the pinnacle of California's political apparatus, not Newsom. Our governor is fine, and progressive enough, but he has every advantage (white, male, handsome), and still only comes across as a mildly charismatic leader. Harris (whose bumper sticker has adorned my car since 2020 during her first run as a presidential candidate), had to succeed in a political environment that rewards Newsom and still pines for him as the top-ticket California pol. Wrong. It was, and is, always Harris. Biden picked Harris as his running mate because that man's political instincts are fucking honed to a razor's edge. And Harris has done nothing but be the best thing I've seen come out of CA Democratic politics in my lifetime. LFG!
Why so many people got sidetracked by Fox News’ attempts to define VP Harris as a disappointment was a real ‘Hmm awkward’ moment for me.
I get why Fox News was trying to present her as unserious - but the framing was obviously wrong to anyone who looked a bit deeper. Like the time she described her appearance to a group of visually impaired people or her difficulties in finding decent staff - it was clearly BS
Yes. That figure is embarrassing, isn't it? Sometimes when I'm shopping or driving, I think to myself, "More than half of the men around me today are probably pitiable, ignorant sexist dolts who will vote for a horribly damaged and totally incompetent individual so long as he's male over any woman on earth, any day of the week. But at least 40% is by no means trivial -- it's something to build on.
Thanks for pointing out the maddening gap between what the anointed (mostly white, well-resourced) Official Pundits opine vs. what millions of voters actually *want, need, and support*. BTW, today's top tidbit, IMHO: "the political equivalent of sending the VP to live on a farm."
The New Yorker endorses Kamala Harris for President. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/07/kamala-harris-for-president-endorsement
OG K-Hive here. Malcolm X said “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman.” Still no lies detected.
This is a very interesting piece. Lawrence O’Donnell has expounded on this theme and on how he recognized a very long time ago, when Harris was an up-and-comer in California politics, that she was a rate talent who could one day be president.
We should probe at this a little more to understand why the conventional wisdom on Harris missed her talent, her charisma and her skill. Was it laziness, where reporters seem to just expound on whatever the prevailing wisdom is, was it a subconscious bias seeing her as a “DEI” vice president? Whatever it was, it’s pretty clear from what she’s showing us now that most of our prominent political minds never saw this coming.
Maybe in the long run, it’s better for her. In this role, she has introduced herself directly to the American people where they can judge for themselves without pre-existing narratives (except for the Fox crowd, who can’t figure out how to square real Kamala Harris with their bogeyman Kamala Harris).
I feel the whole -why won’t she do an interview with me, I don’t know who she is- dance around is an attempt to blame Harris herself for the corporate media’s lack of coverage. They hoped ignoring her, rendering her invisible to the people who consume mainstream media, would render her powerless and crawling to them for coverage. She maneuvered around, under, and over them to take her evidence of clear, exceptional competence directly to the people. Just this fact alone, that she can move outside the bigot’s box of low expectations and reach voters on her own terms..... she’s super smart and I hope enough voters recognize her talents and put her where she deserves to be.
“She maneuvered around, under, and over them to take her evidence of clear, exceptional competence directly to the people”…
And it was a joy to behold!
Yes, and the notion that she doesn’t give interviews is itself a myth. She’s pretty accessible.
Stephen, your posts are the best I’ve read on Substack. I’m so glad you’re here.
Thank you!
The next six weeks will be a time of intense creativity and improvisation. She can't risk peaking too soon.
What makes you think she's going to peak?
She's playing a long game.
Joe Biden’s instinct and political savvy were right on when he showed his statesmanship in putting country over party! Kamala Harris is a quick learner and she's got good instincts also!
I read that "some" advised her not to go with "We Won't Go Back" or calling repugnants "weird"! There isn't anything at all wrong with those!
Grateful as a California voter (and Bay Area resident) to have had a front row view of VP Harris and her political career as it developed. My regional and age cohort pride in her have always been strong, I can only begin to imagine the pride of Black women and South Asian women in her ascent!
"Yes, Harris’s first presidential campaign faltered in 2019, but it obviously wasn’t a total failure"
Oh christ on a crutch, Joe Biden's first two runs 'faltered' too. No one ever said this kind of shit about him.
Amen. The media and national Democrats ignored Harris only to be blindsided when she rocketed to top. As a lifelong CA denizen, I've known for a while that Harris is the pinnacle of California's political apparatus, not Newsom. Our governor is fine, and progressive enough, but he has every advantage (white, male, handsome), and still only comes across as a mildly charismatic leader. Harris (whose bumper sticker has adorned my car since 2020 during her first run as a presidential candidate), had to succeed in a political environment that rewards Newsom and still pines for him as the top-ticket California pol. Wrong. It was, and is, always Harris. Biden picked Harris as his running mate because that man's political instincts are fucking honed to a razor's edge. And Harris has done nothing but be the best thing I've seen come out of CA Democratic politics in my lifetime. LFG!
Excellent comment here.
100% SER, 100%
Why so many people got sidetracked by Fox News’ attempts to define VP Harris as a disappointment was a real ‘Hmm awkward’ moment for me.
I get why Fox News was trying to present her as unserious - but the framing was obviously wrong to anyone who looked a bit deeper. Like the time she described her appearance to a group of visually impaired people or her difficulties in finding decent staff - it was clearly BS
Right on to every word!
"Men support Trump 52 to 40 percent"
Testosterone is one helluva drug!
Yes. That figure is embarrassing, isn't it? Sometimes when I'm shopping or driving, I think to myself, "More than half of the men around me today are probably pitiable, ignorant sexist dolts who will vote for a horribly damaged and totally incompetent individual so long as he's male over any woman on earth, any day of the week. But at least 40% is by no means trivial -- it's something to build on.
I’ve long thought that many men could benefit immensely from hormone therapy.
Amen!!
For the good of the NYT, Kathleen Parker should step aside. I’m not sure it would bring back any subscribers though.
Kamala Harris for the win. 💙
The Washington Post.
Kathleen Parker has been writing nonsense for the WaPo for a decade or more.
Look up her column on how Kavanaugh must have had a doppelganger.
You are correct, of course. My bad!
Well, Kay-El, since I myself never NEVER ever make mistakes. . .
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's easy for me to remember, I was a subscriber to the WaPo since college and I lost my temper over Parker's nonsense multiple times.
Thanks for pointing out the maddening gap between what the anointed (mostly white, well-resourced) Official Pundits opine vs. what millions of voters actually *want, need, and support*. BTW, today's top tidbit, IMHO: "the political equivalent of sending the VP to live on a farm."
Thanks, my friend!