In the 48 hours after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, she did something every working woman in America can relate to: She put her multi-tasking powers to work and got a big job done in little time.
But Harris’ impressive launch will not be enough to bring to her side the suburban women who could swing this election. Most didn’t like either Donald Trump or Joe Biden, and many were ready to stay home or go third-party. Harris needs to make the case why that’s a bad idea by courting them on the issues they care about: the cost of living, threats to democracy, reproductive rights and immigration.
Recently, sitting in a hoodie from her alma mater, Howard University, Harris got off to quite a start. In 10 hours, she made over 100 calls, lining up endorsements, locking in delegates, and getting commitments from donors. She persuaded the Biden campaign staff to stay onboard and work for her. She called potential running mates. And she sewed up support so quickly that she effectively iced out any challenge to her nomination.
Supporters have now galvanized behind Harris with a level of enthusiasm that could become the new force field in this unprecedented election year. But to capitalize on it, Harris is going to need every one of her get-it-done skills to keep momentum building for the next 100 days and demonstrate that she can win in swing states. Like Hillary Clinton in 2016, Harris could win the popular vote but lose the race in the Electoral College.
That’s how Trump won the presidency that year — in part due to support from white women voters. Many were college-educated and live in the suburbs.