Kamala Harris is one step from turning into America’s first feminine president as a result of she has at all times had the drive and guts to danger in search of the next workplace.
That isn’t a standard trait amongst politicians. Too many in any respect ranges get chilly ft and choose to attend for the “proper time” to run. And it by no means comes.
Harris’ philosophy: If there’s an open window — irrespective of how slender — try to leap by means of it earlier than it closes. And get a head begin on anybody else who would possibly purchase the identical thought.
No matter your view of Vice President Harris — whether or not you suppose she’s certified to guide the nation or not — it’s indeniable that she has boldly taken benefit of each alternative to maneuver up the political ladder.
That was true when the little-known prosecutor first ran for San Francisco district legal professional in opposition to an institution incumbent in 2003 and received. And when she leaped into the race for California legal professional common as an underdog and barely received in 2010. Additionally when a Senate seat out of the blue opened up and he or she instantly jumped in and coasted to victory in 2016.
She didn’t hesitate to run for president in 2020. That become a catastrophe. Or did it? She was tapped to be vice chairman.
You may’t advance upward with out taking the subsequent step — can’t win a race with out operating.
It’s just like the citizen — too uncommon — who doesn’t simply gripe concerning the authorities, however tries to do one thing about it. Exhibits as much as communicate out at metropolis council conferences or helps a well-liked political candidate. Perhaps even runs.
It requires a tricky disguise as a result of there are many physique blows in politics. It’s not for the timid or mushy.
“She has a repute for being cautious as a policymaker when in workplace,” says longtime Democratic political strategist Darry Dragow. “Against this, when she has a chance to hunt larger workplace, she strikes very boldly. That willingness to cost ahead has served her very effectively.”
Harris by no means shied away from a race for concern of shedding or the onerous work required for victory — or hoping for higher odds sooner or later.
“Political graveyards are full of people that wait,” says Ace Smith, chief strategist for Harris’ profitable campaigns for legal professional common and the Senate.
“Alternatives are onerous to return by. Folks at all times ready for the fitting alternative by no means succeed.”
A basic instance: New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, broadly thought-about a possible front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 1992. He teased us with the prospect, however by no means ran. Lastly, he was defeated in a fourth-term reelection bid.
Then-Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley debates then-San Francisco Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris once they have been operating in opposition to one another for California legal professional common in 2010.
(Wealthy Pedroncelli / Related Press)
“I tip my hat to individuals who run — individuals who wade into the unknown with none assurances,” Smith says. “Typically you by no means know the way issues are going to interrupt.”
For instance: In Harris’ race for legal professional common, she was the underdog in opposition to Republican frontrunner Steve Cooley, a three-term Los Angeles County district legal professional. However in the course of the marketing campaign’s lone debate, Instances reporter Jack Leonard requested Cooley whether or not he deliberate to “double-dip” by taking each his district legal professional’s pension and legal professional common wage — a complete of $425,000 yearly.
“Sure, I do,” Cooley answered with out hesitation. “I earned it.”
The Harris marketing campaign used all its scarce cash to run TV advertisements depicting Cooley as a grasping politician supping on the public trough. It additionally helped Harris that Cooley was a Republican in a Democratic state. She eked out a slender win.
Harris at all times introduced her candidacy early. Somewhat than taking part in coy, she shouted dedication.
“Basically, one of the best place to be in politics is having folks reacting to you,” Smith says. “Get right into a race early. Scoop up endorsements. Scoop up the cash. Construct an enormous assist base. Different people who find themselves desirous about operating could let it go by. It compounds their problem.”
When Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced in January 2015 that she wouldn’t search reelection the subsequent yr, Harris introduced inside days that she’d run for the workplace.
She had needed to run for governor when Gov. Jerry Brown was termed out in 2018. However the Senate seat was obtainable now. In the meantime, then-Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom known as Harris to say he deliberate to run for governor.
That wasn’t a backroom deal, insists Smith, who was additionally Newsom’s chief strategist. Each San Franciscans selected their very own what workplace they needed to hunt.
However being daring and leaping into campaigns “is a double-edged sword,” Sragow factors out. “Candidates typically get into races that basically don’t work effectively for them. They don’t have the funds for or an efficient message.”
Harris was a textbook instance in 2020 when she jumped into the presidential race. She had an unsteady message and was overmatched. However she was good sufficient to bow out earlier than any main contests have been held. And she or he prevented shedding in her personal state. In the end, she was chosen by Joe Biden as his operating mate.
Harris already is a historic determine. The daughter of immigrant mother and father — a father from Jamaica and a mom from India — she’s a number of ethnic and gender firsts to carry her numerous workplaces. Quickly she might be the primary lady to occupy the Oval Workplace.
“She’s run as an underdog earlier than and he or she’s used to being underestimated,” says Dan Morain, a former Instances reporter who wrote a really readable 2020 Harris biography, “Kamala’s Method: An American Life.”
“She runs more durable and runs sooner than her opponents. No person’s going to outwork her.”
Proper now I’d wager on Harris. Donald Trump exhibits indicators of harboring a political dying want. And she or he’ll take full benefit of it.
