Biden Chooses Kamala Harris as VP

In a historical move, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announces former California AG Kamala Harris as Vice Presidential running mate for the 2020 Presidential election, making her the first female Black VP candidate in history.

Joe Biden tweeted, “I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @kamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate.”

Harris was shortlisted, along with Stacy Abrams, who first came to fame in 2018 as the democratic governor candidate for Georgia, Karen Bass who leads the Black Caucus, and Susan Rice who was the national security advisor for Obama.

Why Harris?

Biden’s political strategy has several key elements that play on the weaknesses of Donald Trump’s — namely women’s rights and Black rights. President Obama’s election both times showed the power of the Black vote — though mostly white voters got him elected. Still, the number of Black voters who showed up to the polls in 2008 and 2012 in large numbers, were figures that both Trump and Biden would want to claim in this election.

While Biden has a better chance at getting those votes, he’s obviously doubling-down by choosing Harris — so-to-speak.

In another tweet, Biden wrote, “Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I’m proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.”

While Biden is maintaining a steady, but small lead in the polls against Trump, the addition of Harris might not yield the positive results in the Black community.

During the Democratic primaries, Harris faced a great deal of scrutiny for her harsh take on prosecution and crime — particularly among younger liberals and Black voters. She combatted this by referring to herself as a “progressive prosecutor.”

Of her decent, she is Jamaican (father) and Indian (mother).

Biden touts a major plan with economic parts tied to minority development aimed at bridging the racial gap. Is Harris a good representation of that?

During the primaries, when the two had a debate about that very issue, Black voters weren’t impressed.

In a poll and article published in Politico in December, Black voters were asked about Harris’ debate on race with Biden where they said she didn’t seem sincere.

More on Harris and her platform as VP candidate as this story develops.