 "US elections: Black Democrats rally behind Biden and talk up Kamala Harris")
As President Joe Biden tries to revive his embattled reelection bid, Vice President Kamala Harris led a parade of Black Democrats who warned Saturday that the threat of another Donald Trump presidency remains the most important calculation ahead of November.
Yet in more than 20 minutes on stage at the Essence Festival of Culture, Harris did not acknowledge Biden's dismal debate performance or calls for the 81-year-old president to end his reelection bid. In fact, she barely mentioned Biden at all a stark contrast to the Congressional Black Caucus members who forcefully and repeatedly defended the president by name.
This is probably the most significant election of our lifetime, Harris said, before riffing on Trump musing about being a dictator, pushing the Supreme Court rightward and promising retribution on political enemies. In 122 days, we each have the power to decide what kind of country we want to live in.
Harris's appearance at the nation's largest annual celebration of Black culture underscores what a difficult task it is for the White House and campaign to navigate questions about the president's aptitude. The dynamics are especially fraught for Harris, the first Black woman and person of south Asian descent to be elected vice president, and for the Black Democrats who were so instrumental in electing Biden and her in 2020.
On one hand, Harris fills the traditional role of loyal lieutenant, a job she did enthusiastically and on the fly in television appearances immediately after Biden's lacklustre debate ended. Yet should Biden ultimately decide to step aside as presumptive nominee, she would be among the favourites, if not the favourite, to carry the Democratic banner against Trump.
Black leaders and voters who gathered in New Orleans, meanwhile, walked the line Saturday between backing Biden and insisting that, if he does end his campaign, the party should elevate the barrier-breaking vice president rather than consider governors like Gavin Newsom of California or Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, both of whom are white.
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The purpose of a vice president is to be a No. 2, to be able to step in, said Glynda Carr, who leads the Higher Heights political action organisation that works to elect more Black women. If this was an all-white male ticket, would we be talking about other people who have less experience, less qualifications?
Antjuan Seawright, a Black Democratic consultant who is close to House Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Biden ally, put it more plainly. Joe Biden isn't going anywhere, he said. But if he does, anyone other than Kamala would be malpractice and it would tear the party apart.
Seawright argued that the pressure on Biden to step aside is coming only from white Democrats so far, at least publicly. He said that divide is mostly about Black voters' trust in Biden and their recognition of his record. But he said it's also about what's good for the party as a whole, including Black politicians. Risking a contested convention, even one that nominates Harris, could ensure widespread losses, and in turn, make it less likely than ever to see Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries become Speaker or Harris or another Black woman sit in the Oval Office.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and her colleagues echoed some of those sentiments.
People say Joe Biden's too old. Hell, I'm older than Biden! said the 85-year-old congresswoman. It ain't gonna be no other Democratic candidate, and we better know it.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, played up the power Harris already holds.
We got a Black vice president of the United States of America, a sister who came here to be with us today, she said. So, let's not get it twisted. I know who I'm voting for. I'm with the Biden-Harris team, because we're still going to have a sister in the White House fighting for us and making a difference.
It also found independents back Harris 43%-40% over Trump, and moderate voters of both parties prefer her 51-39%.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll after last week's televised debate between Trump and a faltering Biden found Harris and Trump were nearly tied, with 42% supporting her and 43% backing him.
Only former first lady Michelle Obama, who has never expressed any interest in joining the race, polled higher among possible alternatives to Biden.
Internal polling shared by the Biden campaign after the debate shows Harris with the same odds as Biden of beating Trump, with 45% of voters saying they would vote for her versus 48% for Trump.
Influential Democrats including U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, who was key to Biden's 2020 win; Rep. Gregory Meeks, a New York congressman and senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus; and Summer Lee, a House Democrat from Pennsylvania have signaled Harris would be the best option to lead the ticket if Biden chooses to step aside.
(With inputs from Reuters)