Biden chose Harris as his satellite in the US presidential election: what does it mean and what does it not mean?

“It didn’t surprise me,” says David Schultz, a professor at Hamline University. “If they had asked me in January this year what would be the Democratic tandem, I would have answered: Biden and Harris.”

Although Biden performed poorly in the first debate of the Democratic primary, as in the first ballot, he has always been a compromise candidate who can be supported by many Democratic voters.

According to Schultz, Biden chose Harris for his similar style and views; Get it, you think it will be easier for a duo like that to defeat Trump, who is seeking re-election.

The American face of the future

“It is not so liberal (in the United States it is customary to call leftists, ed.) As Stacey Abrams or Elizabeth Warren wanted by the progressive wing of the party.

But Kamala Harris is a candidate to live with, and given the possibility of Trump winning again, that can be supported. At least that’s what the Democrats hope for, “Schultz said.

Analyst K. Harris considers it a good choice. Biden himself points out that his son Beau, who died in 2015, worked with K. Harris, so they have a personal connection.

“It is important, at least for Biden, that he values ​​the interpersonal aspects of politics and efforts to agree with others,” Schultz said.

Schultz: Kamala Harris is a candidate to live with, and given the possibility of Trump winning again, that can be supported. At least that’s what the Democrats hope.

However, there is also a more pragmatic assessment: that K. Harris symbolizes the future of the Democratic Party. He is only 55 years old and J. Biden, had he been elected president, would have moved into the White House at 78 years old.

This means that the relatively young Harris could possibly run for president, and even in 2024, because the United States is not silent on the deliberation that Biden would already plan to work for a single term.

Also, she is only the third candidate for vice president and the first non-white candidate. He has African American and Indian blood.

Women and ethnic minorities are very important constituencies for the Democratic Party, so Kamala is a good fit for Biden. America’s future is multiracial, so it’s the face of America’s future, ”says Schultz.

Many American women in Kamala see themselves

Also, his achievements in politics are highly appreciated. She served as a California State District Attorney, Attorney General for all of California, and was elected to the Senate.

“She has already shown that she can successfully campaign and collect votes. Plus, she’s from the Democratic state of California.

If Harris became vice president and had to resign his Senate seat, it would not be difficult for Democrats to hold office. If we were talking about Elizabeth Warren, for example, there would be more doubts, ”says D. Schultz.

Finally, Harris, who ran in the Democratic primary, has already proven difficult to defeat in the debate. More importantly, though, it can mobilize voters – Democrats and Biden will only win if their voters are not passive.

As Schultz explains, the Democratic Party is made up of three or four groups: urban liberals, youth under 30, educated women, and suburban voters.

In 2016, women from the suburbs stayed home and Trump won. In 2018, they went to the polls and the Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives.

“Democratic candidates should be of interest to these voters. Barack Obama was lucky in 2008 and 2012, but Hillary Clinton was not in 2016. She lost not because of the active support of the Republicans for Trump, but because fewer women, minorities voted ethnic groups and young voters ”, the analyst is convinced.

He says he has been explaining for many years that America’s top voters are educated suburban residents (Soccer moms).

A quarter of a century ago, these women voted for Republicans, but drifted away from the latter over time: attitudes toward abortion, gun control, education, and health care.

“These voters are more likely to vote Democrats today, but not always. In 2016, they stayed home and Trump won. In 2018, they went to the polls and Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives,” says Schultz .

According to him, K. Harris is attractive to suburban women as a candidate: “She is an educated professional making a career. And although she has progressive views, she gives the impression of a moderate centrist. Many women see themselves in it. “

Seven states are important

Clearly, in the United States, political scientists are increasingly wondering whether vice presidential candidates are still important during election campaigns.

It is generally accepted that such candidates can help defeat in one or another important state. But D. Schultz cites a lot of research, showing that it is difficult to base such an opinion on statistics, which is only 1-2 percent to put on the card. votes.

“Let’s understand that a lot of people can’t even know who the vice president is.

“They vote for the president, not the vice president,” Schultz said, recalling 2008 when Sarah Palin probably hurt John McCain.

It is true that Harris may become an exception to the aforementioned ability to mobilize voters. On the other hand, the most important thing is to get 270 votes from the electorate, not just to get more votes throughout the country.

“We need to keep our base and win in the major fluctuating states. Where can Harris help Biden?

Harris will call Republicans an ultra-liberal California politician who does not understand Central American values.

Everything will work in seven states: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. They have a total of 111 voters.

“Harris can hardly change a thing about these states, although he would probably revive the race in states like North Carolina and Georgia,” Schultz said.

Most importantly, the attacks by Trump and the Republicans are just beginning. According to the website Five Thirty Eight, which looks at the US elections, opponents are likely to immediately seize the opportunity for Biden to step down in four years, of course, if he wins now.

“They will call Harris an ultra-liberal politician from California who does not understand Central American values, and people will think that a vote for Biden will mean a vote for Harris, who will lead the country for 12 years,” writes reviewer Perry Bacon Jr.