It’s time for Kamala Harris to pick up the torch

Jul 18, 2024

Jordan Reid Author; Founding Editor, Ramshackle Glam

By Straight Arrow News

Debates have continued among Democrats about whether President Joe Biden is the best candidate for the 2024 election or whether an alternative Democratic leader might be more electable. While there’s no shortage of fellow Democratic leaders to choose from, President Biden and his supporters have continued to assert that Biden can and will win as the party’s nominee. And while other Democratic candidates might deliver key swing state wins in the Electoral College, only Kamala Harris can lawfully inherit all of Biden’s campaign funds.

Watch the above video as Straight Arrow News contributor Jordan Reid argues that it’s time for President Biden to exit his long career in public service with the highest honors, and for Kamala Harris to pick up the torch as the new Democratic candidate.

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The following is an excerpt of the above video:

I don’t like any of this. This is not anyone’s concept of an ideal situation. But to stay on that sort of positive note, if Kamala becomes the nominee, I think she’d have a very good chance of galvanizing the youth/women/minority vote to a degree that could offset the misogynistic racists who would never vote for her. On the other side, should Trump win — which is not a future I want to see, but we have to address it as a possibility — that means that our government is broken.

And you know what sometimes has to happen before things can come back together? They have to break, to show people in a very real way what they’ve signed up for and what they’re missing. To inspire them — especially, again, young people — to not just ask for change, but to demand it using whatever resources they have available to them.

Interested in different perspectives? Have a look at how our other contributors view this issue from across the political spectrum:

David Pakman: Should Biden step aside or not?

Dr. Rashad Richey: Americans deserve younger candidates, better ideas.

I’m going to say it. I don’t want to say it. I’m going to say it.

I want Kamala Harris to take over as the Democratic presidential nominee.

I do pre-tape these segments and the news cycle is moving at warp speed at the present moment, so it’s entirely possible the decision was already made, but still. I did not think I’d get here, and yet here I am.

And here is why.

Put aside Biden’s humanity, record as a policymaker, and general loveliness. I listen to a lot of political podcasts, and what the Pod Save America – vehement Biden supporters who want nothing more than to see Trump defeated – said was what broke me.

They said that they saw him recently, and who they saw was the same person we all saw on the debate stage. And I trust them. They do not want Biden to drop out, but they also know – as I, too, believe – that this isn’t about Biden anymore. It’s about democracy. I can’t imagine what a difficult time this is for Biden and those closest to him – just the idea of being essentially forced to the end of a long and brilliant career – but…it’s not about him doing the “best he can” or listening to god or his family…it’s not about him.

Also, on a more positive note, DAMN Kamala.

Look at this.

Uh, girl, you get that dumb bunny. I know people have their issues with her – mostly that she’s been more or less a non-entity for the duration of the vice presidency – but really: that is both understandable, because VPs aren’t known for their grandstanding, and also…I don’t care. Oh, she’s a goofy-aunt type? You know who would absolutely slay management duties? My goofy aunt. And yours. Those ladies take zero crap, and multitask like champions.

I don’t like any of this. This is not anyone’s concept of an ideal situation. But to stay on that sort-of positive note…if Kamala becomes the nominee, I think she’d have a very good chance of galvanizing the youth/women/minority vote to a degree that could offset the misogynistic racists who would never vote for her. On the other side, should Trump win…which is not a future I want to see, but we have to address it as a possibility…that means that our government is broken.

And you know what sometimes has to happen before things can come back together? They have to break. To show people in a very real way what they’ve signed up for, and what they’re missing. To inspire them – especially, again, young people – to not just ask for change, but to demand it using whatever resources they have available to them.

And these guys made something called a “broccoli haircut” a thing. Maybe the restoration of the principles of our founding fathers will be totally within their wheelhouse. …Maybe?