It's Kamala Harris' race right now

[oberliner]

There's a long way to go before the Democratic Party picks its nominee for the presidency. But this week, it's Kamala Harris' race.

The senator from California's performance at a CNN town hall Monday night solidified her standing as a leading contender. She was fluid and engaging, striking that always-tough balance (for women, at least) of being both authoritative and warm. She also took solidly left positions on a slew of important topics. Still, there were moments where Harris didn't quite clear the bar -- most notably her comments on her own history as a prosecutor, which is shaping up to be a weakness for an otherwise resolutely progressive candidate.

Politics, for better or worse (usually worse), is about style over substance, and Harris was an ace. She hit all the right notes: cool, collected and poised when answering weighty policy questions and somewhat silly queries about the #MeToo movement dividing men and women, impassioned when defending DACA beneficiaries.

After a young woman stood up and identified herself as an undocumented immigrant who was brought to the United States as a child, and who was sick of seeing her life used as a political football, Harris commended her "courage" and then continued, "I will say to you that I stand with you. There are so many who do, and we should not be trading on your life for the sake of the political games that this President is playing in trying to vilify young people like you, who are doing nothing except being productive and believing in and living the American dream."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/opinions/its-kamala-harris-race-now-filipovic/index.html

[ZZenith]

1. Your support for her is making me rethink mine.

[oberliner]

2. What do you mean?

She is an outstanding candidate who is off to a great start!

Why would you be rethinking supporting her?

[ZZenith]

8. Track records, and all that.

[oberliner]

9. I don't understand

Kamala Harris has a great track record.

[ZZenith]

11. Mmm Hmmm...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. I'm preeeeetty sure he/she was not referring to her. nt

[oberliner]

13. Kamala Harris is awesome

Let's keep the focus there!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

16. Just clearing up any confusion. You're welcome. nt

[oberliner]

21. I always assume the best about people

Sometimes I am slow to pick up on things.

[LanternWaste]

27. Then in essence, you want to keep threads focused on what's relevant to the OP?

Rather than (for example) muddy the waters of a post about a Tulsi Gabbard by asking respondents the irrelevancies of their positions on Syria?

Or is this focus you allude to simply another diaphanous and vague suggestion meaning whatever is most convenient at the time?

(or maybe the answers is c-- an attempt to rationalize a distinction lacking a relevant difference... again. I'm betting Variations on C (most minor) is the answer we'll get.)

[honest.abe]

5. I was thinking the same thing but..

that's not Ober's headline.. that came from the article.

Whew!

[oberliner]

14. She is my top choice and has been for a while

I think she is the most formidable in every respect.

[honest.abe]

18. Well I finally agree with you on something!

[oberliner]

20. Glad to hear it

I get the sense that she will be very tough to beat. The thought of her becoming the next POTUS is really exciting. When I heard her speak at her opening campaign event in Oakland, I felt like I was watching our next President.

[BannonsLiver]

10. Zing!

[oberliner]

15. What are your thoughts on Harris?

[BannonsLiver]

17. She's great. Definitely on my list.

[oberliner]

22. Yeah - she really is

There was something about that event in Oakland that was really special, I thought.

[TeamPooka]

19. That is a personal attack. You're still new here. It's not allowed.

[ZZenith]

23. Um, no.

It’s an observation.

[TeamPooka]

24. goodbye.

[True Dough]

3. What about Kirsten Gillibrand and Tulsi Gabbard?

Who's your real first choice, OP?

[oberliner]

6. They are also solid - but Harris is my top choice

Of course, I will support whoever ends up being the nominee, but Kamala Harris has got something special. I feel like I am watching the next POTUS when I hear her speak.

[democratisphere]

4. It is so early in the 2020 political race that nothing has any true meaning now.

Nothing!

[oberliner]

7. There is something about her that has resonated with a lot of folks

I think she is going to be the most formidable. But, yes, it is early.

[kurtcagle]

26. Not necessarily

It's a crowded field right now, and differentiation is going to be key this time around (the election looks MUCH more like 2008 than 2016). By staking a strong position early, Kamela Harris can go a long way towards uniting the various identity coalitions now, while at the same time giving her time to potentially win over both centrists and independents. She also most clearly embodies everything that ISN'T Trump in one package, which may actually win over those who were most disenchanted by Trump who voted for him earlier. She's also clearly positioning herself to take California and the huge momentum it brings early. Now the question is how well she is going to be able to counter the BS that you know the GOP is going to throw against her.

[samnsara]

25. It was 'Hillarys race to lose' at one time....

..I dont feel like getting burned again by tricksters. I like Harris a lot but I like Joe too...and Sherrod and Erik and Elizabeth. Not so much a CG or BS fan but if they got the nom I'd vote for them. Actually, any and all of the DEM contenders would make a GREAT prez.

[mountain grammy]

28. 20,000 people showed up for her announcement.

The Kavanaugh hearings. This town hall.

She definitely has what it takes..

[samir.g]

29. she will stomp the shit out of Gabbard