Harris versus Biden: Different Generations, Priorities, and Life Stories
Two Politicians, Diverging Views
Distinguished California political figure Kamala Harris, the United States’ vice president, is predicted to send shockwaves through the nation’s capital if she wins the presidential election this November. Harris’ potential presidency represents more than just a change of guard. Harris, who will be 60 years old on Inauguration Day, and President Joe Biden originate from distinct generations, espouse differing opinions on various topics, and offer contrasting perspectives on the position of president.
Modernizing the Presidency
Moe Vela, a former senior advisor to Biden, commented, “What we’re seeing is a modernization of the presidency. With this generational change, I think we’re going to see less rigidity or that formal Old Guard and more of a relaxed style. Kamala Harris’s personality is more vibrant and relatable, less Biden’s Old Washington.”
Voice of Liberty and Accessibility
The most significant disparity between Harris and Biden might not lie in their policy preferences but in their means of discussing them. Susan Liebell, a political science professor at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, observes, “Harris expresses her thoughts about sex in a manner that Joe Biden cannot.” As VP, Harris has spotlighted access to abortion as the freedom that it is and cast abortion bans as ill-advised government interferences to be rejected – language rarely used by the Democratic Party and more notably, Biden.
Unfinished Business
As per Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families Fund, Harris’ personal life enables her to discuss the improvement of women’s economic opportunities uniquely. “She’s experienced the struggle of living as a woman of color in the United States, and this gives her a unique perspective on economic participation and opportunities for women,” said Frye.
Kamala Harris’s Rise
Before serving as VP, Harris had a four-year tenure in the U.S. Senate representing California, in addition to her former roles as California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney. Harris’s fellow Senator from Colorado, John Hickenlooper, praises her approach, stating, “While she doesn’t have the depth of policy that someone like Joe Biden does, she surrounds herself with a capable and experienced team.”
The Relatable and Approachable Leader
Many of Harris’ former colleagues testify to her warmth and charm, highlighting her genuine concern for her peers and the citizens she represents. Representative Ro Khanna recalls Harris sending a congratulatory letter on his wedding. Harris’s friendly demeanor, coupled with her decisive and sharp political acumen, will be a critical part of her potential presidency.
A ‘San Francisco Liberal’
Critics on the opposite side of the aisle label Harris as a ‘San Francisco Liberal’ – a criticism that signifies their apprehension of a potentially more liberal presidency than Biden’s. Despite this, Dan Morain, a biographer of Kamala Harris, argues that Harris’s spirit and vision of progress signify the very essence of San Francisco and California.
Conclusion
If elected, Harris will likely prioritize criminal justice and civil rights issues due to her personal history. “As someone who’s both Black and Asian, for her, the assaults on black people and Asian Americans are personal,” says Claremont McKenna College politics professor John Pitney. This new, refreshed energy in the White House is what the nation might see with a Harris presidency.
