The rude awakening creeping up on Kamala Harris

[brooklynite]

Politico

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Joe Biden has yet to formally declare his presidential bid, but he’s already complicating Kamala Harris' path to victory in a must-win state: South Carolina.

The pivotal early primary state is the linchpin of Harris' strategy to capture the Democratic nomination, yet the former vice president’s experience, pragmatism and close association with former President Barack Obama have given him a significant advantage here — even more so than in other states, according to more than two dozen interviews with state operatives and elected leaders, as well as public and private polling.


African-Americans and women make up strong majorities of Democratic primary voters here, and Harris aggressively courted local support last weekend in her fourth visit of the young campaign, which focused on rural areas. Biden, meanwhile, starts with broad across-the-board backing from an array of establishment Democrats to rank-and-file black voters. His overall early support skews toward older South Carolinians that form the most reliable voting bloc — and who are assembling to support Biden right away when he jumps into the race this week. State Rep. Jerry Govan, the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, told POLITICO he expects Biden to receive “a warm welcome from a very diverse group of South Carolinians.”

“He has friends — a bunch of old friends,” added state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, the former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman, who is helping Biden allies coordinate on the ground. Once he announces, “We’re going to be able to reveal a whole bunch of supporters.”

Biden’s close associations in the state include his former White House adviser Fran Person and former state director Trip King, along with Harpootlian, who has been leaning on elected leaders. Last week, when Biden gave the eulogy for Fritz Hollings, the longtime U.S. senator and former governor of South Carolina, state Sen. Marlon Kimpson marveled at his statesmanship.

[LakeArenal]

1. It's called experience and professionalism

Joe has it and great international experience.

[Honeycombe8]

2. It'll be interesting to see who Af. American women go for.

The Af. American woman is a very important group in the family of Democratic supporters. IMO, the Af. American woman has arguably been the group of Americans who has had it the hardest throughout American history. And yet, some have risen to the top, in spite of everything. Like Barbara Jordan and Maxine Waters. What they had to deal with on their way up, I can only imagine. I've watched as I've seen them still have to deal with unfair treatment, despite their achievements and success.

So I'm very interested in seeing who they prefer, as a group. In all the states. Doesn't mean that I'll think that's the person who can most likely beat Trump. But if there's a close call between two candidates, and Af. American women are strongly for one, I'd give that a lot of weight, personally.

[Indygram]

3. I predict that Beto will do extremely well with them

He is doing a town hall tomorrow in Houston at She The People along with some other candidates. He was extremely well received at the NAN conference, too.

[Honeycombe8]

4. I'll keep my eyes on him, then, to see how he does. nt