Opinion: Harris’s Diversity Coalition Revives the Power of True-Blue American Identity Politics
By Emil Guillermo
Remember Oakland five years ago when Kamala Harris invoked her Asian mother and announced a run for the presidency.
And then came Iowa. She wasn’t ready.
She’s ready now.
On Monday, Joe Biden, still isolated with Covid, spoke via speaker phone to his campaign staff that early evening to tell them the truth behind his decision.
“I know it’s hard because you’ve poured your heart and soul into me,” Biden told the campaigners who won him the nomination and then the presidency in 2020. But it wasn’t to be in 2024. “I think we made the right decision,” the president said.
The decision to withdraw came Sunday when Biden released a letter on social media with the shocking and historical news.
“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” the president said.
That was essentially the passing of the torch, the flame. Or the passing of “duende”? That’s what Boston Globe columnist George Frazier, one of those who inspired the column form in me, might have called it.
Duende is that charismatic allure that a world class performer has, that makes you constantly want to watch their every move. For a politician to possess it is pure gold.
Biden had it throughout his long political and legislative career. And now, as he steps aside, and allows Harris, his Veep, to step forward, it was clear. She had it too. Duende. And much more of it than anyone ever thought.
Harris addressed the cheering crowd, but was still aware of Biden’s presence. “We love Joe and Jill, we really do,” said Harris.
“It’s mutual,” said Biden cutting in via speaker phone, almost like the Asian Filipino meaning of “duende,” which I’ve known as a spirit in the house, sometimes a helpful, loving one.
“I knew you were still there,” Harris said looking up with a laugh. “You’re not going anywhere, Joe.”
“I’m watching you kid, I love you,” Biden said.
“I love you too,” Harris said, as the crowd cheered and clapped.
That made it official. The torch had been passed.
GOP’S RESPONSE
For the most part Republicans heads’ are still spinning by Harris “duende express.” Some continue to “other” her by mispronouncing her name. It’s KAH-ma-la. Not kah-MAH-la.
Or they’ve just relied on GOP racist rhetoric. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) called her a “100 percent DEI hire,” a phrase intended to damn “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” But Harris who has distinguished herself as a local district attorney, a state attorney general, a U.S. Senator and a U.S. vice president, has the resume any White male could envy.
A more subtle approach was used by Sen. Tom Cotton (R.-Ark) Tuesday, who, in a TV interview, kept referring to Harris as a “San Francisco liberal.”
Correction. She’s really more of an Oakland liberal.
I’m in exile now, but I’ve been writing columns as a “San Francisco liberal” for decades. One of my topics was District Attorney Kamala Harris. I always chided her for not going after White attacks on Asian Americans back in the day.
I never spoke with Harris directly. But once at a fund-raiser our eyes met. We chose the diplomatic option and walked the other way.
Now she’s on the verge of history and the duende is palpable.
