Why aren’t Kamala Harris’s biggest supporters backing calls for her to replace Biden?

Vice President Kamala Harris has been the subject of intense speculation lately, with some calling for her to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election. However, as a delegate for the 2024 DNC and a center-left Democrat, I believe that this would not be the best course of action.

While Biden has had a historic first term in office, there are significant reasons why replacing him with Harris would not be wise. One of the main concerns is the lack of trust within the Democratic Party base for the broader Biden coalition to fully support Harris as the nominee.

Throughout the past few years, we have seen how certain factions within the party have dismissed and disrespected Harris, only to now praise her as a means to undermine Biden. The same people who have been critical of Harris in the past are now suddenly advocating for her to take Biden’s place, which raises questions about their true intentions.

As “establishment” Democrats, we have experienced firsthand the backlash against candidates like President Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, who faced racism and sexism during their campaigns. We fear that Harris would encounter similar challenges if she were to become the nominee, especially considering the divisive political climate in the country.

Progressives have targeted Harris in the past, labeling her as “Kamala the cop” and distorting her record as a district attorney. Additionally, the lingering sexism that influenced some Bernie Sanders supporters to vote for Donald Trump in 2016 could pose a similar threat to Harris’s candidacy.

Mainstream media coverage of Harris has also been problematic, with racist and sexist narratives shaping public perception of her. This raises doubts about whether these same media voices would treat Harris fairly if she were to become the nominee.

Even prominent figures within the Republican party, such as Bill Kristol and former Rep. Joe Walsh, have called for Harris to replace Biden. However, their sudden support for Harris raises suspicion given their past affiliations and behavior.

Ultimately, the reluctance to endorse Harris as the replacement for Biden is not based on delusion but on a deep understanding of the challenges she would face as a Black woman running for president. Harris’s supporters believe that she has a better chance of winning the presidency in the future if the Biden-Harris ticket is successful in the upcoming election.

While Harris is undoubtedly a strong candidate, it is essential to consider the implications of replacing Biden with her at this point in time. The Democratic Party must prioritize unity and strategic decision-making to ensure a successful outcome in the election.