Opinion: Kamala Harris Shouldn't Have To Apologize For Being A Formidable Competitor

[PunkinPi]

I shouldn’t have to say this, but for the white men whose fragile egos can’t handle a little competition from a capable Black woman, it is worth noting that we don’t ever have to apologize for bringing our A-game. And, for that matter, Sen. Kamala Harris doesn’t ever have to apologize for being a formidable competitor in a presidential competition.

On Monday, Politico reported that when former Sen. Chris Dodd, a member of Joe Biden’s vice presidential search committee, asked Harris about the busing comment that sent a noteworthy blow to Biden in the first Democratic debate, Dodd was shocked that she had no remorse, instead laughing it off and saying, “that’s politics.”

Is she wrong? Harris was on a debate stage going up against ten too many hopefuls trying to create a moment that felt both genuine and effective. Successfully landing a hit during a political debate is what’s supposed to happen. Is it not? Why would Harris apologize for making a concerted effort to win?

When Biden himself was a presidential candidate in 2008, he often called out then Senator Barack Obama for his lack of experience. On every debate stage, campaign stage, and radio interview, Biden made it clear that the one-term senator was “naive.” That his ideas on foreign policy were problematic, and that he simply was not ready to be the “Leader of the Free World.” Should Obama have sidestepped him despite his qualifications, for another VP pick with only kind words? Possibly. But the White House, the administration, would not have been the same without the experience of the former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

More here -> https://www.essence.com/news/politics/chris-dodd-loyalty-kamala-harris-remarks/

[Zoonart]

1. It really steams me that because

a woman landed a punch in a primary debate, she is supposed to be contrite and promise to not compete anymore.

So she bloodied Joe's nose. So what? He can take it. He is probably happy that happened, it most likely led him and his staff to take a closer look at that issue on his resume and allowed them to clear the air about it, because it will certainly come up again during the general and if Kamala is on the ticket, she will be the perfect person to address the fact that Joe has come a long way from that time in history as have we all.

Think Kamala will be a spectacular choice for VP if that's the way it goes.

I think that is one of the things that is special about Democrats. We fight amongst ourselves because we think. We argue, and think and evolve. Something that Rethugs never do.

[Yeehah]

8. I totally agree

A tough battle in the primaries is supposed to harden the nominee for the general election campaign. I thought candidates are supposed to play tough, not play softball with other candidates. As long as the candidates use relevant factual arguments and not silly personal attacks --- let 'em fight!

[Zoonart]

11. Exactly.

[Docreed2003]

13. +1

[geardaddy]

16. +1

[PunkinPi]

20. Yes! nt

[CaptainTruth]

26. +1

[honest.abe]

2. What is great about this is that Harris gave it her best shot but Biden won..

and is now fully supporting him. That shows she is team player and can be an excellent loyal VP but is also willing to fight for what she thinks is right. Perfect VP material.. imo.

[NurseJackie]

9. "and is now fully supporting him" --- Yes! That's exactly right!

"and is now fully supporting him"

Yes! That's exactly right! It's very revealing to see just how much Biden's former rivals are working for his (and our party's) success.

Equally revealing (but not at all surprising) is when one looks around to see how LITTLE other former rivals are doing. They know who they are (and so do we.)

All I'm trying to say is that EVERYONE needs to be working for Biden's success. EVERYONE needs to be working to make sure the GOP and Trump are defeated. The time for pouting is over. The time for "licking of wounds" has ended. It's time for everyone to get on board the Biden-Train.


Joe/Kamala or Biden/Harris 2020!!
They're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Biden Bandwagon & abandon the revolution!!

Joe and Kamala (convertible)

[theaocp]

3. Just pick a side.

As she said, “it was a primary!” Please apply that logic to all primary foes and stop hand-wringing about giving the other side fodder to work with.

[Skya Rhen]

4. Agreed - and, likewise, Biden shouldn't have to apologize for the decision he makes in August. It's

his alone.

[genxlib]

5. It's a feature

Not a bug.

I want someone with fighting spirit in them.

[jcgoldie]

7. +1

[mcar]

6. kick

[Desert_Leslie]

10. The Truth

And she told the truth about her experience. Not a lie. She has every right to say it.

She is completely right: That's politics.

[Ferrets are Cool]

12. I said it in another post, but it bears repeating...

WE NEED TOUGH DEMOCRATS!!!!

[onetexan]

23. +1 K&R!! It's about time Dems roll up their sleeves & punch back, HARD!!

The Rethugs don't care whether we live or die, and cheat, lie, distort, & God knows what other shenanigans they do to win unfairly. It's time we don't give a crap how they respond. Just get it done, and disregard their fake outrage.

[DIVINEprividence]

14. I think the VP is down to Harris and Rice

Rice is slightly favored I think for her formidable national security creds but Kamala Harris is right there. I seriously doubt her being tough in the debates is playing any factor in the Biden campaign’s decision making. If anything it helped her because it showed she can be an effective attack dog. The VP needs to be able to kick some azz.

[PunkinPi]

18. I think Rice is better suited for SoS, but I won't balk if it's her.

GOP will go after her for Benghazi, plus she's never run in a campaign (and this one's going to be a doozy), not that they won't go after anyone Biden chooses. Kamala checks all the boxes (domestic and foreign policy), executive and legislative bona fides, and has charisma for days. IMO, I think Kamala has the edge.

[Wounded Bear]

19. I agree with that assessment...nt

[DIVINEprividence]

24. Hey Kamala Harris would be a great choice too

I personally like Rice because she irritates right wingers more. I like that. But lucky for us we have an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Because Democrats have embraced diversity we will attract more talent in the long run. This is why corporate America for the most part embraces diversity initiatives. The private sector knows diversity translates into more talent working for you and more customers to buy your products

[still_one]

15. F**K POLITICO. IT is a divisive rag journal that has been going out of its way to divide Democrats

for years

They are not worth bird cage liner in my view

[PunkinPi]

21. Politico is trash, but I'm glad to see the push back emerge.

Even Jennifer Rubin is on it and Chris Dodd's spoke's person is trying to walk it back.

“Throughout the course of this process, I have had hundreds of conversations related to the Vice-Presidential search," it read. “Out of respect for the confidentiality of this process, I have refrained from commenting on the media speculation about any of the candidates, but the anonymous comments reported in POLITICO yesterday do not represent my view on Senator Harris nor what I have shared with Vice President Biden, and need to be addressed.” (The statement does not deny he said what Politico reported, only that it did not represent his views. Politico never reported Dodd had shared that sentiment with Biden.)

The statement concluded, "As with all the candidates, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Senator Harris and her qualifications.” The spokesperson did not respond to my question as to whether the senator had reached out to apologize to Harris.

Source -> https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/29/woman-vp-will-face-savage-attack/

[colorado_ufo]

17. OK - agree that she should NOT apologize.

That sends the wrong message about women, women of any race. She was a worthy opponent, for sure! And she would be an excellent VP.

My concern is that this particular move, bringing up busing at that time, was ill-timed. It was an important point and tough and should have been saved for later in the debates. When she brought it up, it just seemed like a comment that was out of place, and I got the feeling that she was not really comfortable doing it. I believe that she was told to do this by her advisors, and it was not the best advice. She should have not taken it.

It was big political capital spent far too soon in the debates. It also seemed to paint her as a bit of a "bully," as Biden and she were long-time friends. He had to wonder why, during their many times together, she never discussed this with him friend to friend.

It is only my opinion, but it was a moment of bad judgment on Harris's part likely due to her inexperience in politics at that level.

The late Joan Rivers, who never shied away from biting humor, sometimes followed an awkward joke with the phrase, "Too soon?"

In this case, yes - too soon. She should have saved her ammunition.

[maxrandb]

22. Oh No! Another Dems in Disarray Story!

Sure, the fucking entire country is spiraling into the abyss because of Retrumplican Party policies of the last 40 God Damned years, we have Stormtroopers beating the shit out of veterans, dads and MOMS, and a Dipshit authoritarian attorney general using the power of the state like a fucking Tinpot Dictator... but what is "really" important is whether or not Dems can put aside their campaign fights.

[Nature Man]

25. Some white folk STILL don't like the "help" getting "uppity"

and as a slave descendant, I am all too familiar with the mentality.

[PunkinPi]

29. Thanks for kicking the thread. nt

[LakeArenal]

30. You are right. I apologize and removed the thread.

Not the right context.

[PatrickforO]

28. Good point. The old double standard is still alive and well.

Even among us.

We've got to get rid of that, because when Biden picks a woman - perhaps Harris - as his VP, we may (hopefully) end up having her as president next time around. But if we're always holding assertive women who bring their A game to some kind of 'well, can't you be nice while still being assertive without hurting anyone's feelings' standard, that hurts us all.

My first wife used to teach women's self-defense, and the very first thing she'd say to her students was, "You don't have to be nice."

[LizBeth]

31. Absolutely. Harris and Booker had every reason to bring up this conversation.

A necessary conversation to be had. Biden should thank them the opportunity he had to expand on his changing belief system because of time.

[Skittles]

32. I agree

she's a fighter, and she's good at it