Getting It Right

 

Among the most important choices Presidents make is the one before they’re even elected: their running mate. In choosing Kamala Harris, Joe Biden broke new ground in many ways.

Clearly, Biden didn’t really have a choice about picking a woman of color. He’d already said “woman” earlier, and he did owe it to black voters after Congressman Jim Clyburn’s endorsement pushed him to the top of the Democratic field. But there were, to my mind, some unusual elements here, more about Mr. Biden than Ms. Harris.

First, he knew full well that as the time window narrowed, the smart money was largely  on Harris. I think what many men in his position might have done was pick one of the lesser-known black women, just to show his independence. He didn’t.

Second, other men might have shied away from someone as attention-worthy as Harris, so as not to be outshone, or go with a safer choice who wouldn’t talk back to him if they disagreed. But he didn’t, almost as if he wouldn’t mind that, or even wanted it, if that’s what he thought it would take to win. He truly seems to appreciate the energy that Harris brings.

Finally, he maintained control of the process, weighing all of his choices carefully and keeping the final selection a secret.

Knowing that he might not be seeking a second term, he likely knew that his choice wasn’t simply of a  team member but possibly the next President. In short, he really got that it was not all just about him. You can’t say that about many politicians.

For her part, Harris isn’t just black, she is of mixed race, with one immigrant parent from Jamaica and the other from India. As has been pointed out, this makes her attractive to a broader group of voters. And while the opposition will throw everything it has at her, it’s well-known that she knows how to return the fire.

Democrats in general are excited by Biden’s choice, but now the challenge is harnessing that excitement. I have an analogy for this that is unfortunate, but when I think about what’s needed to win, it’s this: I will never forget the pictures from 2011 of the tidal wave that struck northern Japan after the massive earthquake. The water rolled inexorably over the countryside, and nothing stopped it. There wasn’t anything solid enough, tall enough, or that weighed enough to keep from being swept away.

It may not be the best comparison, but the tide of voters will have to look exactly like that, strong enough to overwhelm every artificial barrier to exercising their legal right. If there’s a time when voting is an absolute obligation, we are in it.