Can Kamala Harris Win the Presidency?

If the election centers on the Biden administration's performance, Harris is likely to struggle, given the challenges of inflation, immigration, and crime associated with her tenure as Vice President. If, instead, the Democrats are able to transform the election into a referendum on gender and representation, emphasizing Harris's historic candidacy as the first Black and South Asian woman to run for president, she might have a chance.

The upcoming presidential election is shaping up to be a spectacle for the ages, a grand theatre of American politics with none other than Donald Trump and Kamala Harris headlining the show. The burning question on everyone’s mind: Can Kamala Harris win the presidency? Well, that depends. If we judge her by the Biden administration's record and her part in it, she might as well start planning her concession speech. But if the Democrats can pull off the political equivalent of a magic trick and make the election about anything but the Biden administration's achievements (or lack thereof), she might just have a fighting chance.

Start with inflation: the Biden administration has grappled with it like a cat with a laser pointer. Prices are soaring, and the American public is left scratching their heads, wondering why their grocery bills have tripled. The Biden team rolled out the Inflation Reduction Act with all the fanfare of a blockbuster movie release, but the results have been, well, a bit more "straight-to-DVD." Harris will need to whip out her best economic wizardry to convince voters she has a plan that doesn’t involve turning everyone into millionaires by handing out welfare checks like Halloween candy.

Then there’s immigration, that perennial thorn in the side of any administration. The southern border crisis has been more dramatic than a daytime soap opera. Harris was given the Herculean task of addressing this, and let’s just say her strategy so far has been less than clear. Maybe she’s playing the long game, or perhaps she’s just as confused as the rest of us. To win voter confidence, she will need to present a border plan that is tougher than a two-dollar steak and more comprehensive than a college textbook.

And let’s not forget about crime. Harris, the former attorney general of California, is tied to the state’s issues like a ship to an anchor. Homelessness, drug addiction, and crime in cities like San Francisco are the stuff of Republican nightmares, and they are ready to paint Harris as the poster child for everything wrong with liberal policies. She will need to channel her inner law-and-order superhero, proposing solutions that don’t just sound good but actually work. Maybe she can borrow a cape from the Justice League while she is at it.

Now, if Harris wants a shot at this, she will need to steer the narrative away from the Biden administration's track record and towards her own identity and vision. As the first Black and South Asian woman to run for president, she is a living, breathing symbol of progress. The Democrats are hoping to turn this election into a referendum on gender and representation. If they can make it about breaking glass ceilings rather than fixing broken policies, Harris might just have a shot.

Women’s issues could be her golden ticket. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has ignited a firestorm of activism. Harris must continue to champion reproductive rights, but she will need to tread carefully. Promising unrestricted abortions up to the moment of birth is about as popular as a skunk at a garden party. She will need to strike a balance that satisfies the base without alienating the moderates.

Her multicultural background is another asset, a veritable rainbow coalition in one candidate. Harris can use her heritage to connect with diverse voter groups and advocate for social justice. However, she must avoid drifting too far left, lest she ends up appealing to a demographic that thinks Karl Marx was just misunderstood.

Simply put, Harris’s campaign will be a test of her strategic prowess. She needs to articulate her convictions and policy positions with the clarity of a TED Talk speaker. This includes touting the Biden administration's successes, such as the landmark climate legislation, while also acknowledging its failures. A delicate dance, indeed.

Her legal background could be her ace in the hole. She should highlight her commitment to the rule of law and contrast this with Trump’s penchant for legal troubles and authoritarian whims. Painting herself as a principled defender of justice might just work—if voters can forget about the times she’s fumbled interviews like a nervous freshman at a debate club.

In this polarized political landscape, Harris must offer a message of hope and optimism. Instead of focusing on the doom and gloom of a potential second Trump term, she should highlight her vision for a brighter future. A bit of humor wouldn’t hurt either—everyone loves a candidate who can crack a joke. And let’s be honest, Trump’s antics provide plenty of material.

Choosing a running mate will be critical. Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, could help her lock down a must-win state. Mark Kelly, the Arizona senator and ex-astronaut, would bring a compelling personal story to the ticket. Plus, it would be poetic justice to have Trump face off against someone who’s literally been to space and back.

Donald Trump remains a polarizing figure, beloved by his base and loathed by many others. His recent attempts to rebrand as a unity candidate have been as convincing as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. His vulnerabilities—ranging from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his response to the January 6th insurrection—are ripe for exploitation. Harris must capitalize on these, positioning herself as the stabilizing, principled alternative.

Kamala Harris faces a daunting but not impossible path to the presidency. Her success will depend on her ability to redefine the election narrative, emphasizing her unique identity and vision while making strategic choices that resonate with a broad coalition of voters. If she can distance herself from the Biden administration's failings while championing its successes, and turn the election into a historic moment for women and minorities, she just might make history as the first woman president of the United States. Or, at the very least, give us one heck of a show.