Vice-President Harris

Saturday Night Open Thread: VP Harris and ‘the Tightrope’

by Anne Laurie| April 29, 20238:45 pm| 157 Comments

This post is in: Excellent Links, Proud to Be A Democrat, Vice-President Harris, Our Failed Media Experiment

Being underestimated is a superpower. pic.twitter.com/aDwxTENvRo

— Renee (@PettyLupone) April 28, 2023

Opinion by Eugene Robinson: The vice president appears more than a dozen times in the video kicking off President Biden’s reelection campaign. She played a big role in mobilizing the party’s base in 2020 — and should be expected to do the same thing again. https://t.co/bUhtLGEjXR

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 28, 2023

Unpaywalled (gift) link:

… As has been the case with virtually every vice president since the nation’s founding, Harris gets a bad rap. The first duty of the job is to avoid upstaging the president, which means surrendering any political autonomy and never being out in front of the West Wing on any issue. Recall the way Mike Pence always stood like a hyperrealist statue, mute and expressionless, while President Donald Trump ranted and raved. Somehow, Pence managed to never even lift an eyebrow.

And when vice presidents are given actual tasks, they tend to be the impossible ones. Biden put Harris in charge of the border — at a time when there was absolutely no possibility of getting Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that might reduce the flow of would-be migrants. It was a classic no-win situation: She could make a show of raising hopes, which then would be dashed; or she could hunker down and keep expectations low. Either way, she was bound to be criticized for having failed…

The right-wing echo chamber accuses her of speaking in “word salad.” It is true that she often burdens her sentences with more dependent clauses than they can bear, and verbatim transcripts of her extemporaneous remarks can sometimes be hard to follow. But she also connects powerfully with audiences and communicates her message, even if it might be hard to diagram.

I glance at Harris’s public schedule every day, and one thing that stands out is how much time she has spent on foreign policy. It is not uncommon for visiting leaders to stop at the vice president’s residence. Her recent trip to Africa was well publicized, but she has also become a regular at gatherings such as the Munich Security Conference — where, in February 2022, she was the last high-ranking U.S. official to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before Russian tanks rolled into his country. She reportedly implored him to believe the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia would indeed invade.

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That experience is particularly relevant because of Biden’s age. Republican candidate Nikki Haley has already previewed the GOP line of attack. “I think we can all be very clear and say with a matter of fact that if you vote for Joe Biden, you really are counting on a President Harris,” she said Wednesday on Fox News, “because the idea that he would make it until 86 years old is not something that I think is likely.”

Fact-check: Biden is in good health, according to his doctors, and I know of no reason why he should not be expected to live through a second term. But one of Harris’s important tasks during the campaign will be to demonstrate that she is prepared to assume the awesome responsibilities of commander in chief if necessary.

Her other big task will be to energize voters around the issues on which the Republican Party has boxed itself into fringe positions that are rejected by most Americans. Especially on abortion — and the GOP’s ongoing attempt to deny women autonomy over their own bodies — I expect her voice to be a clarion call. And, as in 2020, I expect her to inspire and motivate the Democratic Party’s most loyal voters, African American women.

As the first woman and first Black and South Asian American to serve as vice president, Harris was destined to be held to an impossible standard. Now, as the reelection campaign begins, she gets to show the talent and drive that got her there.

NRO is worried that someone with FAR MORE govt experience already when she was elected to the Senate than Donald Trump had when he was elected President in 2016, might, 7 years of relevant experience later, be next in line to be President. https://t.co/245Kzz9Dmr

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) April 28, 2023

It’s really significant that @KamalaHarris’ first campaign event, on the day of their re-election announcement, is a reproductive freedom rally with @PPact @NARAL @emilyslist and @ACLU.

Abortion is going to play an even bigger role in 2024. As it absolutely should.

— Alencia Johnson (@AlenciaJohnson) April 25, 2023

.@VP, of course, was prominently featured in the @JoeBiden re-elect video.

According to @CBSNewsPoll, her approval among voters under 30 is 61%

— which is about double than what it is among Gen X & Boomers. pic.twitter.com/nO47z7W8VJ

— John Della Volpe (@dellavolpe) April 26, 2023

President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris ?? pic.twitter.com/iaGSBRZyFj

— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 26, 2023

Saturday Night Open Thread: VP Harris and ‘the Tightrope’Post + Comments (157)

Thank Murphy the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: Salmagundi

by Anne Laurie| April 14, 20237:21 am| 174 Comments

This post is in: LGBTQ Rights Are Human Rights, Open Threads, President Biden, Proud to Be A Democrat, Vice-President Harris

This week, we commemorate the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement – a feat that took people coming together in good faith to work for a better future.

Today, @PresidentIRL and I rang the Peace Bell and planted a tree to celebrate peace and recommit to sustained progress. pic.twitter.com/0no7etmRNM

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 13, 2023

It’s been another… interesting week, but at least from the Biden Administration we don’t have to expect a non-stop cascade of horrors…

Our Administration will protect the FDA’s ability to approve safe and effective drugs that Americans rely on. pic.twitter.com/u5QAvBJjz9

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 14, 2023

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Thank Murphy the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: SalmagundiPost + Comments (174)

Monday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris Went to Nashville

by Anne Laurie| April 10, 20236:11 am| 160 Comments

This post is in: Civil Rights, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republican Venality, Vice-President Harris

TONIGHT IN NASHVILLE: @VP Kamala Harris hugging the #TennesseeThree at Fisk. pic.twitter.com/Hu1sy0zj0n

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 8, 2023

The majority of Americans support gun reform.

We need leaders who have the courage to act. pic.twitter.com/cZfQLc70A5

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 8, 2023

Per the AP:

… Harris received wild applause and several standing ovations as she told a crowd at Nashville’s historically Black Fisk University that the so-called Tennessee Three — ousted Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson and a third Democrat, Gloria Johnson, who avoided expulsion by a single vote — were being, in her words, silenced and stifled for standing up for the lives of schoolchildren.

“Let’s understand the underlying issue is about fighting for the safety of our children,” Harris said. “It’s been years now where they are taught to read and write and hide in a closet and be quiet if there’s a mass shooter at their school, where our children, who have God’s capacity to learn and lead, who go to school in fear.”

She called for background checks, red flag laws and restrictions on assault rifles.

“Let’s not fall for the false choice — either you’re in favor of the Second Amendment or you want reasonable gun safety laws,” Harris said. “We can and should do both.”…

Ahead of the event, students and others were lined up down the block, hoping to enter the school’s Memorial Chapel. Inside several young Black women wore sweaters with the initials for Alpha Kappa Alpha, a Black sorority that Harris belonged to.

“It’s exciting to see someone from my organization doing great and amazing things,” said one of them, Jasmyn Thrash.

Nashville Metro Councilperson Zulfat Suara addressed the crowd before Harris arrived, saying the expulsions “tell us exactly what we need to know about how the state views young Black men” standing up for what they believe. Evoking the city’s civil rights history, she said, “Just like John Lewis and Diane Nash did many years ago, we too will resist.”…

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“We are here understanding the broad shoulders upon which we all stand. Those fighters for freedom and liberty and justice,” @VP Harris said opening her remarks. https://t.co/we5dRT2QFj pic.twitter.com/Kt3BFu91Gq

— Tennessean (@Tennessean) April 7, 2023

Per the local Tennessean:

… After addressing Thursday’s events and the Tennessee Three, Harris concluded her remarks with a message for the whole audience.

“Your voices are part of the conscience of our country. When we need in these moments in time people who have something in them that is about empathy, about care, about a sense of responsibility for their brother and sister,” Harris said. “We need you all.”

Bookending her speech, Harris returned to civil rights leaders Diane Nash and John Lewis, saying they started as young leaders just like those in the audience.

Especially with the push for gun reform, Harris said it’s a pivotal moment for young leaders to step up.

“We will not be defeated, we will not be deterred, we will not throw up our hands when it’s time to roll up our sleeves,” Harris said, drawing deafening applause as she reached the end of her remarks.

She concluded, “We will speak with truth, we will speak about freedom and justice, and we will march on.”…

Side note from the Washington Post:

… Before Harris’s meeting, President Biden spoke to the three Democrats in a conference call, the White House said. Per the White House, Biden invited the three lawmakers to the White House “in the near future” and thanked them “for their leadership in seeking to ban assault weapons and standing up for our democratic values.”…

Political news desks are starting to cover activities of the Vice President of the United States.

To be specific, REPORTING on her activities is becoming more proportionate

(Aside from political commentary that was busy setting new expectations & standards for the office of VP) https://t.co/Ep164HKsTq

— Susan Bordson (@susanbordson) April 8, 2023

Politico isn’t sure whether to be impressed or appalled [bolding theirs]:

BEHIND THE SCENES — On Friday morning just after 7 a.m., VP KAMALA HARRIS told her chief of staff LORRAINE VOLES that she wanted to go to Tennessee and show her support for the two legislators who were expelled from the state House the previous evening for mounting a demonstration in favor of gun control from the chamber floor.

The idea for a visit wasn’t exactly a surprise. The VP had been checking in with senior staff as the situation heated up and asked them to keep her updated.

But what was a surprise was the turnaround: Harris wanted to go that afternoon.

Trips for the VP have complex logistical and security concerns. They typically take days, if not weeks, to pull together. Harris was giving her staff hours.

“If you think of the speed in which a vote was taken to expel them, [Harris felt] sending a signal that we have their backs quickly was just as important,” a senior aide to the VP tells Playbook. “I don’t think there could have been a stronger signal than to immediately go.”…

Still, there were the questions of where Harris would make this speech, and to whom.

Fortunately for the White House, they had someone they trust in Nashville: Former Biden comms aide TJ DUCKLO is currently the chief comms officer and senior adviser to Nashville Mayor JOHN COOPER. Leaning on the mayor’s office, the White House was able to quickly secure a venue at Fisk University and build out a crowd of roughly 700 at the HBCU.

Worth noting: Although some conservative commentators have criticized Harris for not meeting with the families affected by last month’s shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, a White House aide tells Playbook that the families were invited, and that they “offered blessings” but ultimately couldn’t make it…

Coda:

Before @VP Kamala Harris departed Nashville, she had this to say about a Texas judge reversing FDA approval of abortion pill mifepristone.

You can tell she was heated and rightfully so! We will fight back.✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/B4BR13mOKA

— Madam Vice President Harris is THEE GOAT! (@flywithkamala) April 8, 2023

Monday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris Went to NashvillePost + Comments (160)

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris in Africa

by Anne Laurie| March 30, 20237:05 am| 133 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Something Good Open Thread, Vice-President Harris

It's my great honor to be on the continent of Africa – first here in Ghana, then to Tanzania and Zambia.

I look forward to meeting with leaders, young people, and entrepreneurs as we work together to invest in the innovation and ingenuity across the continent. pic.twitter.com/imBoTwpldz

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 26, 2023

Celebrate our accomplishments!

US Vice President Kamala Harris is joined by Idris Elba and Sheryl Lee Ralph during a visit to a music studio in Accra, Ghana https://t.co/QNqyIM60ll pic.twitter.com/bk32h1IO5S

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2023

Have you heard that the median age in Africa is 19?

Vice President Harris has, and she wants everyone to know it.

Here’s our look at how she’s centering her trip on the challenges and opportunities of the continent’s youth. https://t.co/IsgeSHhxiG

— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) March 29, 2023

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… For Harris, it’s not a piece of trivia but the driving force behind the stepped-up U.S. outreach to African countries. Washington is racing to build partnerships on the oldest inhabited continent with the youngest population, a test that could reshape the economy in Africa and, by extension, the rest of the world.

In the near future, “1 in 4 people on this earth will be on this continent,” Harris said during a conversation with reporters. “Just on that alone — the demographics of it all alone — if you put aside the present and the past, if we are to be forward-looking in terms of national policies and priorities, we have to look at this continent.”

As part of that effort, Harris on Wednesday announced more than $1 billion in public and private money for women’s economic empowerment. The money is expected to come from a mix of nonprofit foundations, private companies and the U.S. government, and it’s intended to expand access to digital services, provide job training and support entrepreneurs…

Harris is the highest-profile member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Africa this year. While in Ghana, she paid particular attention to economic development and young people.

She visited a skate park and recording studio, released a Spotify playlist of African musicians, spoken before thousands of young people, and invited celebrities, civil rights leaders and businesspeople to join her at a banquet in her honor.

It’s a carefully calibrated campaign to reframe how Americans view opportunities in Africa, something that senior officials from Harris’ office described as central to her goals for the trip. New investments could not only benefit U.S. businesses but also alleviate one of the most pressing challenges here.

Vice President Kamala Harris was greeted by schoolchildren, dancers and drummers as she arrived Sunday in Ghana for the start of a weeklong visit to Africa intended to deepen U.S. relationships.

Read More ????https://t.co/idElZxCGXx pic.twitter.com/cC4cblbZR4

— theGrio.com (@theGrio) March 26, 2023

“The stories must be told.”??

An emotional ????US @VP Kamala Harris nearly breaks down after walking the dark dungeons of the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana????, the last point from where many enslaved Africans were shipped to the Americas under colonialism. ?? pic.twitter.com/IkjiV3maBF

— Kenneth Awotwe Darko (@TheKennethDarko) March 28, 2023

Let me tell you a little bit about our tour with Vice President Harris today at Cape Coast Castle.

Near the Door of No Return, Harris walked into the dungeon that once held enslaved women, carrying a bouquet of white flowers that she had been gifted earlier.

— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) March 28, 2023

The tour guide explained that the women imprisoned there would gaze up toward the sky through holes in the ceiling and sing songs hoping for death, “because death means freedom.”

Then the guide sang the song to Harris as she stood there in the dungeon, the words echoing off the walls of the dimly lit chamber.

Harris left the flowers there, then walked through the Door of No Return. She gazed out at a harbor that was filled with small fishing boats, but long ago had been the final point of departure for a cruel journey to the Americas.

When Harris spoke after the tour, she discarded her prepared remarks, and she talked about “the anguish that reeks from this place.”

And she spoke of the endurance of the African diaspora.

“All of us, regardless of our background, have benefited from their fight for freedom and justice.”

Kamala Harris, who is in Ghana and will also visit Tanzania and Zambia, said the United States would continue to push for all bilateral creditors to provide 'meaningful debt reduction' for countries that need it https://t.co/9VLBf6aqFK pic.twitter.com/aLXAJg8Fcd

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2023

CBS News aired a great segment discussing @VP Harris’ travel to Africa detailing policy and the administration’s priorities.

I want to highlight the last question on the symbolism of the first woman Vice President of the U.S. in this moment.

Full video in comments. #VPinAfrica pic.twitter.com/XKyvymZMWY

— ? Owning My Space ? (@JuneSummer1) March 28, 2023

You can feel the excitement in the air! We are all looking forward to welcoming @VP Kamala Harris to Tanzania tonight. So grateful for the support we've received from @ikulumawasliano, @mfa_tanzania and many others to make this visit a success. ?????????? https://t.co/Bhm08Fc4Ha

— Ambassador Michael Battle (@USAmbTanzania) March 29, 2023

Today, @VP met with women entrepreneurs, where she announced more than $1B in private sector commitments to empower women across the continent.

Why is this important? @VP is using her global leadership position to advance the standing and status of women around the world. pic.twitter.com/PMblMkip9K

— Rachel Palermo (@RachelPalermo46) March 30, 2023

For the first time ever, @NBA hosted an all-girls @JrNBA clinic in Ghana.

We want every young girl to know that you can do anything you set your mind to. Women and girls must have equal access to opportunities on and off the court. pic.twitter.com/YOdQIlz9cF

— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) March 29, 2023

Someday…

Full video here ?? https://t.co/mJyqeaPMRX

— Qondi (@QondiNtini) March 27, 2023

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris in AfricaPost + Comments (133)

Thank the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: Waiting for the Big Reveal

by Anne Laurie| March 24, 20237:01 am| 286 Comments

This post is in: LGBTQ Rights Are Human Rights, Open Threads, President Biden, Proud to Be A Democrat, Vice-President Harris

bars and restaurants really struggled during covid, one way to help them out would be to indict donald trump on a friday

— world famous art thief (@CalmSporting) March 23, 2023

President Joe Biden denounced 'hateful laws' targeting transgender people across the US and called on the Congress to pass the Equality Act pic.twitter.com/iLOmRD0ilc

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2023

The view when you’re short and the @vp starts speaking in a room of women activists.

Grateful for her leadership in making sure that the world understands that every issue is a “women’s issue.” pic.twitter.com/WWFv7v7Lnv

— Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) March 22, 2023

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Thank the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: Waiting for the Big RevealPost + Comments (286)

Friday Morning Open Thread: Stay Positive

by Anne Laurie| March 17, 20238:01 am| 132 Comments

This post is in: Civil Rights, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Vice-President Harris

“We believe in freedom and liberty as Americans, and we fight for it.” — @VP Kamala Harris on what she feels makes the United States great. #Colbert pic.twitter.com/H4djGEtrEY

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) March 16, 2023

(h/t commentor HumboldtBlue)

Toni Morrison, the first African-American woman to earn the Nobel Prize in literature is featured on the newest Forever stamp from the United States Postal Service. #WomensHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/8UwzgnDm4u

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 16, 2023

I missed this last weekend — it’s great!

A new monument to abolitionist Harriet Tubman was debuted by Newark city officials, rapper Queen Latifah, artist Nina Cooke John and others. The new monument stands in Harriet Tubman Square. pic.twitter.com/uTR2Jn5fb5

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 10, 2023

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Friday Morning Open Thread: Stay PositivePost + Comments (132)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

by Anne Laurie| March 15, 20239:00 am| 83 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republican Stupidity, Vice-President Harris

Speaking of must-see tv:

We're thrilled to announce @VP Kamala Harris will return to The Late Show for an exclusive interview with @StephenAtHome on Wednesday, March 15th!

Watch on @CBS & @ParamountPlus at 11:35/10:35c. #Colbert pic.twitter.com/kGNQSj3JZH

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) March 10, 2023

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Wednesday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (83)

Gloria DryGarden on Playing Musical Chairs This Week (Apr 27, 2025 @ 10:54pm)

prostratedragon on Medium Cool – Music That Takes You by Surprise (Apr 27, 2025 @ 10:54pm)

Gloria DryGarden on Playing Musical Chairs This Week (Apr 27, 2025 @ 10:53pm)

wjca on War for Ukraine Day 1,158: The Conditionally Unconditional Ceasefire (Apr 27, 2025 @ 10:53pm)

comrade scotts agenda of rage on Medium Cool – Music That Takes You by Surprise (Apr 27, 2025 @ 10:52pm)

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

I really should read my own blog.

Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

SCOTUS: It’s not “bribery” unless it comes from the Bribery region of France. Otherwise, it’s merely “sparkling malfeasance”.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

The press swings at every pitch, we don’t have to.

Celebrate the fucking wins.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

Consistently wrong since 2002

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Saturday Night Open Thread: VP Harris and ‘the Tightrope’

Thank Murphy the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: Salmagundi

Monday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris Went to Nashville

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Vice-President Harris in Africa

Thank the Trickster God It’s Friday Open Thread: Waiting for the Big Reveal

Friday Morning Open Thread: Stay Positive

Wednesday Morning Open Thread