Joe Scarborough: Kamala Harris has what it takes

[brooklynite]

Washington Post:

Kamala Harris has what it takes to fill a big political stage. During Sunday’s announcement of her 2020 presidential run, the California senator looked very much like a political contender who belongs in the big leagues.

It’s always a great unknown leading up to such events whether a particular politician has the charisma to carry off the successful launch of a presidential campaign. Whether that certain someone has what it takes to step up to a microphone, heart pounding, and seize the moment. All this while tens of thousands of supporters hang on every word and a ravenous political world lurches forward, ready to pass savage judgment: Is this a pathetic political pretender or the Next Great Hope? To policy wizards, pundits and most candidates themselves, the answer is unknown until the first words of that first speech begin ringing out of the forum’s public address system.

Harris’s introductory remarks were predictable enough for a progressive Democratic candidate seeking the party’s nomination in what may prove to be the most crowded political field in U.S. history. The content of her Oakland speech did little to differentiate her worldview from those of the dozens of other progressive politicians eyeing a nomination that will move its winner within close reach of the White House.

Still, while Harris’s speech may have been boilerplate, her presence was inspiring. Like Barack Obama’s contagious laugh and Ronald Reagan’s winning smile, Harris’s electrifying announcement was powered by under-the-radar years of experience and shrewd political calculation. It could all be enough to move the former California attorney general to the cusp of a history-bending breakthrough.

[honest.abe]

1. In addition to her great quals she simply looks and sounds presidential.

She will match up well against Trump. His stupid name calling and insults and attempts to intimidate her wont work.

Kamala has the right stuff!

[flor-de-jasmim]

2. I just watched the video of her CNN town hall in Iowa.

Her answers were very good, but there was one possibly missed opportunity.

A man brought up the idea circulating that the next Dem candidate should be a man and asked what he could respond to disagree. Her answer was not bad - that we should be looking not at the past but at what can be, but perhaps too cerebral for some folks. The first thing that came to me was NO, it SHOULD be a woman. Trump beat all the men he was up against, but Nancy Pelosi felled him quickly.

[MoonRiver]

3. Good point. I hadn't thought of that.

I was massively impressed with her town hall appearance. I did think she might want to limit the length of her replies though. They were very complete, but people tend to get lost if someone is too wordy. That's an easy fix though. The important thing is that she knows her stuff and presents it powerfully.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. Why did you say it's an easy fix? Reminds me of

Obama..his press conference answers. Lawyerly. Your mind would start wandering, especially those of us who lack patience. But no matter what, you are left with a feeling that the person is intelligent and learned and thoughtful. (Anthesis of DJT). Obama, on the other hand, was different on the stump than in a news conference for sure.

[MoonRiver]

6. Well, I think Kamala is more than capable of carefully thinking through her answers.

And, yes, she does remind me of Obama, with his brilliance and charisma.

[Little Star]

7. She does have both!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. Don't see charisma. But guess it's a highly personal

observation. Guess I don't understand how people can instantly adore. Takes me time.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. No, you said too wordy...easy fix ?

[MoonRiver]

14. Yes, why not?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Oh not much, just doesn't seem like that would be

An easy fix. Some people over explain...it's just part of personality.

[MoonRiver]

19. I plead guilty to that, but an intelligent person can learn to compensate.

Last edited Tue Jan 29, 2019, 03:18 PM - Edit history (1)

[EffieBlack]

4. And, of course, he just had to bash Hillary while praising Kamala

because something - this time, the lie that "she didn't have a message."

I wonder what the statute of limitations is on Hillary hate/revisionism.

[Little Star]

8. Well, she did beat his ass in the popular vote!

[oberliner]

10. He always seems to try to get in a dig against Hillary

It is quite infuriating.

Even Mika, sometimes, has a tendency to do that as well.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Wonder if it's a subconscious thing. Like we

irrationally blame her for not winning the electoral college that gave us trump.

[oberliner]

17. They attacked Hillary relentlessly during the campaign

In fact it often seemed like they disliked her the most.

[aidbo]

9. Joe Scar and Anna Navarro? Wow, all the republicans are lining up for Kamala!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. Yes..if the outcome is no trump. Bet it would

be different if they were to run a sane moderate repuke. Why the GOP machine is already slamming us as too left wing. They probably know it won't be trump.

[UniteFightBack]

11. Everybody can see it no matter who you are. You either got it or you don't. If you got it it won't

matter if you are black white a woman or a man.

Biden or Harris...we got this ! !!