The Political Showdown: Is Kamala Harris a More Viable Candidate Than Joe Biden?

The Political Showdown: Is Kamala Harris a More Viable Candidate Than Joe Biden?

Last Updated on: 25th July 2024, 11:39 pm

In the current political climate, Joe Biden is standing on very thin ice. Amid his poor debate performance last month, plus subsequent interviews he’s given to the press, a lot of Americans don’t believe he’s up to the job of being president. 

Kamala Harris, vice president, is one of many names that’s been floated around as an alternative Democratic nominee. Much of the left-wing base now fears that if Biden continues on with his campaign, he’ll not just lose to Trump, but also hurt Democrats in their Senate and House races. 

Biden, on the other hand, insists that he’s going to keep pushing forward toward reelection. The president has given no indication whatsoever that he’s willing to step down and pass the baton on to another Democrat who’s younger and more capable. 

In fact, during a recent interview, Joe Biden claimed that only the Lord Almighty could convince him to give up his presidential aspirations. This is the president’s most direct way of telling his critics – many within his own party – that they need to get in line with the idea that he’s not going anywhere. 

Nevertheless, some Democratic voters are eager to see someone else leading their party. One person who’s been repeatedly floated as a potential alternative is Kamala Harris herself. 

Kamala Harris: Who is She?

Can Kamala Harris be president? Well, before occupying the role of vice president, Harris held a series of other positions in government. From 2004 to 2011, she worked as the district attorney of San Francisco. Then, from 2011 to 2017, Harris operated as the attorney general of California, leading to her time as a senator of California from 2017 to 2021. 

Among Biden voters, the Kamala Harris approval rating shows she’s the most popular alternative to succeed the president, should he step down. According to polling from Redfield & Wilton Strategies, 39% of Americans who voted for Biden during the last election now want Harris to step up and replace him as the Democratic nominee. 

Harris, over the years, made a name for herself in politics by supporting staunchly leftist views and candidates. Long before becoming vice president, she managed to align herself with other powerful Democrats, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom. While in the Senate, Harris was also known as someone with one of the most liberal voting records.

Some Democrats look favorably upon this; though amongst Republicans, the opposite is true. 

Joe Biden: The Current President

Before becoming president in the 2020 election, Joe Biden had multiple, unsuccessful runs for the White House. From 1973 to 2009, the current president worked as a senator of Delaware. Though what really catapulted Biden into the political world was his work as vice president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. 

It was this work that helped make Biden a household name and pave the way to him having a successful White House run in 2020. Across the nation, people of all political views have largely credited Obama for putting Joe Biden on the map. Republicans, however, see this not as a good thing, but as a serious detriment to the United States.

Today, many Americans have differing views on Biden and on Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States. Democrats have collectively praised the current administration for what they view as its contributions to the economy, combating climate change, etc. 

However, Republicans have very different views on the Biden administration. From the right wing, Biden and Harris have taken heat for their pushing of COVID vaccine mandates earlier on in the presidency. Conservatives also don’t care for how the White House managed illegal immigration, inflation, and a host of other issues. 

Among the general public, however, both Biden and Harris carry the same approval rating. Though certain minority voters, including blacks and Hispanics, are more likely to favor the vice president. 

Can Kamala Harris Be President?

Notwithstanding the Kamala Harris approval rating, there are several different paths for her to assume the presidency. If Biden somehow secures a second term, yet passes away in office, this would make Harris the next president. 

If Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States, is chosen to replace Biden as the current Democratic nominee, she could become the 48th president. Though this would only happen if she defeated Donald Trump at the ballot box this November. Right now, however, Democrats interested in replacing Biden aim to ensure that any alternate candidate has what it takes to win an election against Trump.

Many Democrats who want Biden gone feel that his age and cognitive abilities are his greatest weaknesses. Given that Harris is 22 years younger than the current president, Democrats may feel more comfortable with her carrying their party’s nomination into November. However, as things currently stand, the vice president continues to show public support for Biden proceeding as the party’s de facto nominee. 

The Political Showdown

Whoever Democrats nominate – whether it’s Joe Biden or someone else – will have to go up against GOP nominee Donald Trump and his vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance. Unless something changes, the most probable ticket to face off against Trump-Vance is Biden-Harris. 

As the public assesses the Kamala Harris approval ratings, the vice president has stated she’s willing to debate Vance. However, Vance has yet to return the favor and commit to a debate against Harris. 

If the pair do end up facing off against one another before November, this will put a spotlight on questions that include “can Kamala Harris be president.” It’ll also provide more insight into who is Kamala Harris and how she would govern as the commander-in-chief.  

538’s Election Forecast, Harris-Trump Edition

According to the 538 Election Forecast, Trump carries single-digit leads over Harris. Across various polls, these leads range from 2% to 6%. Democrats, who have concerns about another Trump presidency, might therefore question if Harris is the best person to replace Biden, despite her role as his vice president. 

Additional 538 findings compare as Harris would do in certain states, opposed to Biden. While the former fares better in Nevada, the latter sees higher support in places like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. 

Either way it turns out, however, Democrats are in a rough spot. Right now, there are a lot of questions about how their incumbent president will do in November, despite the 2020 election turnout. If Democratic candidates decide to have Biden kicked off the ticket, the only logical path for them is going with a candidate who appears set to beat Trump in November. 

At this time, the Kamala Harris approval rating and 538 Election Forecast findings indicate the vice president would not defeat Trump in November. 

The Electability Factor

In every single political race, electability matters. Whether it’s Kamala Harris, vice president to Joe Biden, or someone else entirely, a candidate needs to connect with voters. This means being able to convince the electorate that you care about their concerns and have their best interests at heart. 

When Americans go to the ballot box to vote for someone, they want to know they’re supporting a person who will fight for what’s most important to them. This is why candidates from across the political spectrum – from Harris and Biden to Trump and Vance – spend time campaigning during elections, attending rallies, and gathering with voters. 

Right now, many Democrats fear that Biden is unelectable. Aside from his terrible debate performance in late June, the president’s had many other episodes that call his cognitive health into question. To date, Biden is regularly seen confusing names and addresses while speaking. On other occasions, he’s been caught on camera blankly staring into space or wandering off in the wrong direction when he’s not supposed to.

Some leftists, especially voters, argue that someone like this has seen better days and is no longer capable of leading. Folks with this view are open to Kamala Harris, vice president, succeeding Biden. Though Democrats with more establishment leanings are – at least in public – showing their support for Biden and insisting that he can pull off a win this November. 

The Youth Vote and Progressive Base

Right now, Joe Biden is not doing so well amongst younger Democrats, especially those who identify as progressives. Polling of the president consistently shows that his support is strongest amongst older Democrats and black voters. Biden’s low standing with younger and progressive voters could be seen as yet another argument for replacing him with Kamala Harris, vice president of the Biden administration

The youth vote matters in elections; to underestimate its relevance would be unwise. Traditionally, younger voters are more likely to back the Democrat Party. However, this may change if Democrats choose to stick with a nominee who’s struggling to get the youth to like him. 

Many younger Americans feel that Biden has dropped the ball on a number of issues they value. At the top of the list are student debt, initiatives designed to combat climate change, the war impacting Palestine in the Middle East. 

Despite the positive trends reflected in the Kamala Harris approval rating, she is still Biden’s vice president. Given the frustrations progressives have shown towards Biden, it’s possible that some of this could rub off on her as his right-hand woman. 

Democrats will hold their official convention next month, during which they’ll determine which candidate is to be their nominee. This is when the American people will learn which Democratic ticket is going to run against Trump-Vance in the general election. 

America shouldn’t rule out another Biden-Harris candidacy; yet all things considered, it’s very possible that Harris (or another leftist) could end up replacing the current president as the Democratic nominee. 




Gabrielle Seunagal
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