With Kamala Harris, Democrats bet on fighting America’s history of sexism and racism

‘No safe option’

“If you think people who want Biden to leave are unanimously behind Kamala — Vice President Harris — you are wrong. There are no safe choices,” Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, a Biden supporter, said on Instagram.

In 2008, the United States elected its first and only black president, Barack Obama. In 2016, Hillary Clinton, the only woman to serve as a major party presidential candidate, lost to Trump.

Harris is the first woman, the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, and her supporters say she has withstood unfair attacks related to race and gender and is prepared to withstand more.

“There’s a history of racism and sexism in the United States, so I’m sure that will inform this conversation and will inform her campaign,” said Jamal Simmons, a former Harris aide.

But he said there’s another side to the story: Black voters could be energized if Harris becomes the top candidate, and female voters, including some who regret not voting for Clinton in 2016, could support her.

“She will also benefit because of her race and gender, and many African Americans are likely to support her candidacy,” he said.

He said Harris has a higher profile than other Democratic leaders who have been floated as potential presidential candidates. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are among those discussed in Democratic circles as possible successors.

“While she has flaws and shortcomings like everyone else, we know them so you can plan your campaign with clarity. The other candidates are complete unknowns,” Simmons said.

One former Democratic lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he believed Harris was more at risk because of her record than her race.

Harris was plagued by staff turnover early in her vice presidency and made little progress on responsibilities such as protecting voting rights and stemming immigration from Central America.

“I think race is just a compounding or exacerbating factor,” the former congressman said. “It’s all a gamble, but I like the odds against the other candidate, even if it means Kamala comes out on top.”