Washington - Kamala Harris, once a rising star in California's senatorial realm, had been weighed down by criticism of her vice presidential performance for years. However, a recent transformation is underway. Over the past few weeks, US Vice President Kamala Harris has undertaken swift visits to Florida, where she engaged in debates with the state's conservative governor, Ron DeSantis. The discussions revolved around topics like how to teach slavery in schools and defending abortion rights. Notably, these interactions occurred while 13 Republican presidential candidates were gathered nearby.
Though her remarks were directed at Republicans, her underlying message seemed intended for her skeptics as well. Despite starting as a promising senator in California, Harris has long grappled with criticisms of her vice presidential role. Challenges with complex assignments, such as tackling the root causes of illegal migration and navigating the intricate path to securing voting rights, have raised concerns about her future impact. As Democrats pondered whether she might be a political liability for the party, Harris sought ways to counteract these concerns and recapture the momentum that propelled her alongside Joe Biden as a candidate and eventually into the White House in 2020.
Cedric Richmond, a senior adviser for the Democratic National Committee, praised Harris's active involvement, stating, "It’s good to have her out there." He emphasized that her assertive confrontation of the Republican Party in real-time plays a pivotal role in the party's 2024 strategy. This approach also allows President Biden to maintain a higher position, focusing on issues like Russian aggression and the economy.
While Harris has, in the past, often approached events defensively, aiming not to make mistakes, her recent actions reveal a more proactive stance. She has described the rising extremism within the Republican Party as a galvanizing factor, prompting her to expand her profile and engage in a one-woman rapid-response operation.
Her recent exchange with Governor DeSantis, who is striving to stand out as a potential Republican presidential nominee, serves as an example of her new role. When Florida modified its Black history curriculum to suggest that enslaved individuals developed beneficial skills, Harris promptly traveled to Jacksonville to address the issue. Her impassioned speech in a historically Black neighborhood condemned those trying to sanitize history.
Governor DeSantis reacted to her presence, accusing her of political opportunism and inviting her to discuss the new standards. Harris, unswayed, returned to Florida for a second visit within weeks, asserting that there were no redeeming qualities of slavery.
Despite her increased visibility, Harris continues to face relatively low approval ratings. Approximately 52% of Americans hold a negative view of her, while 40% have a positive opinion, according to FiveThirtyEight's poll tracker. President Biden also struggles with consistently low approval ratings. Nonetheless, Harris appeals to demographic segments that may not naturally align with Biden, including women, minority groups, and younger voters.
As Harris takes her campaign across the nation, her longtime allies note that she is displaying a confidence reminiscent of her earlier years in politics, dating back to her time as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California.