The Real Reason Joe Biden Chose Kamala Harris As His VP

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Yesterday, Joe Biden announced that Kamala Harris is the woman he chose as his vice presidential nominee. But why did he choose Harris over all of the other women being considered?

Kamala Harris campaigns in New Hampshire
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Why Did Joe Biden Choose Kamala Harris As His Vice President?

When Joe Biden’s campaign announced that he’d chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate, it left many people curious why he chose her in particular. However, the truth is that she simply makes sense. Here’s why:

  • Harris is experienced with the government as a US senator. She has also been the California attorney general since 2017.
  • Thanks to her own 2020 bid, Harris has been vetted on the national stage.
  • Historically, Harris will be the first Black and South Asian woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket.
  • Kamala is 55-years-old, which is helpful since Biden will be 78 on Inauguration Day. She can help appeal to a younger generation.
  • She has widely been regarded as an outspoken voice on the need for police reform and on race issues.
  • Harris hails from California, which is important considering the state is a treasure trove of Democratic donors and votes.

Not only that, but Harris is considered a safe pick. Biden’s team knew that choosing Harris would draw considerable attention, while at the same time keeping with expectations.

Related: Biden Selects Kamala Harris As Running Mate

Biden’s Team Didn’t Want to Shake Up the Underlying Dynamics of the Presidential Race

One big reason Biden chose Harris is because he didn’t want to shake up the underlying dynamics behind the presidential race. Instead, he’d like more focus to go on this being Trump’s first term and how he’s handled coronavirus pandemic.

In other words, Biden’s plan is to convince voters that Trump should be fired. He wants the focus to be more on Trump and less on himself, and doesn’t want the election to turn into another 2016 situation.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton spent a great deal of time playing defense, while Biden is choosing to avoid personal attacks – which should admittedly provide headache relief to many. He also doesn’t want more attention on his own foibles instead of Trump’s.

As for Trump, when he learned Harris was chosen as Biden’s VP, he predictably had a few choice words on the matter. Specifically, he referred to Harris as “nasty,” the “meanest” and the “most horrible.”

“She was very, very nasty to… one of the reasons that surprised me, she was very… she was probably nastier than even Pocahontas to Joe Biden. She was very disrespectful to Joe Biden. And it’s hard to pick somebody that’s that disrespectful,” said Trump.

Trump was speaking in reference to how Harris lobbed one of the most forceful attacks against Biden during the primaries. During the viral exchange, she went after Biden’s record on busing and school desegregation. She ultimately admitted that she essentially held the same view on busing as Biden.

Ironically, Trump and his daughter Ivanka donated thousands to Kamala’s campaigns for attorney general between 2011 and 2013.

Related: Biden Hinted at Kamala VP Pick Back in April, “I’m coming for you, kid’