Staff Reports
With Vice President Kamala Harris now gearing up for a run at the top of the Democratic ticket, the scrutiny on her record is about to reach fever pitch. Tied at the hip with President Joe Biden’s term of failures, Harris is expected to be greeted with the same savvy critiques that have dogged her boss. This isn’t just a matter of sharing cocktail recipes; it’s about sharing a disastrous legacy at a time when the country is begging for real leadership.
The self-proclaimed “border czar” has had a rough ride. This title, loaded with such responsibility, has led to some pretty critical questions regarding her actual performance. It turns out her approach to managing the chaos at the southern border can be summarized by a quote that might as well be painted on the wall at border control: “I’ll get to it… eventually.” Despite her lofty title, Harris only made her first visit to the border nearly a year after her assignment began. Reports show that she’s spent more time focusing on diplomatic relationships than doing the actual job she was handed. As dereliction of duty goes, that’s a spectacular score.
‘Biden 2.0’: Tied to admin's failures, Harris to face attacks on White House’s record she defended
👇https://t.co/Hpe3PrF944— Stoned Ranger (@Stoned_Ranger_) July 23, 2024
The Trump campaign isn’t letting up. They have been quick to draft press releases linking Harris directly to the considerable blundering of the Biden administration, framing her as the co-pilot on the high-flying failure rocket. They are couching her role in managing the crisis at the border as a contributory factor to the immigration fiasco. Harris’s supporters may have dreams of abolishing ICE and precipitating a new era of borderless bliss, but Republicans have a clear narrative: if things are awry, the “border czar” deserves a reasonable share of the blame.
Critics have spotted a trend: as Harris comes forward to defend Biden, she seems to be stepping into some very muddy shoes. Questions reminiscent of Watergate loom over her position. With an eye to history, the comparison to the political scandal of yore is apt. Just as everybody asked, “What did they know and when did they know it?” they are now asking the same about Harris’s knowledge of Biden’s questionable mental sharpness as he stumbles through public appearances. It’s an unsettling parallel that hasn’t gone unnoticed by those with a keen sense for political drama.
What’s more, Harris appears undeterred by the mounting criticism. Her first public statement after Biden’s departure was a glowing endorsement of his presidency. She maintains that under his watch, they have accomplished more than most former presidents could muster in two terms. Coming from someone who has stood firmly by his side throughout his presidency, this posturing seems less like a strong defense of their legacy and more like an admission of complicity in its failures.
The crowning irony of Harris’s emerging campaign can be found in her attempt to inherit both Biden’s support base and his campaign infrastructure. While the “Harris for President” rebranding has begun, it’s painfully clear that the whip marks of the Biden administration’s failures remain firmly imprinted on her. She may intend to run as something new, but to voters, she’s coming off as “Biden 2.0″— a sequel that’s clearly worse than the original. The Democrats are playing a risky hand, and there’s just one question remaining: can they raise the stakes without falling flat on their faces?
