Vice President Kamala Harris could potentially make history by becoming the first female president of the United States, a role many had hoped Hillary Clinton would have taken on. However, unlike Clinton, Harris has not been emphasizing this potential milestone in her campaign.
With Harris likely to secure the Democratic nomination next month and possibly win the election in November, her victory would be groundbreaking. Despite this, she has not been highlighting the historic significance of her potential presidency since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race last Sunday. This is in stark contrast to Clinton, who centered her 2016 campaign around the idea of breaking the highest glass ceiling.
When Clinton kicked off her campaign in 2015, she spoke about the symbolism of breaking barriers, referring to the metaphorical “ceiling” that her presidency would shatter for women. This theme persisted throughout her political career, with Clinton acknowledging the advancements made for women despite not reaching the ultimate goal.
In contrast, Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and female vice president in U.S. history, has previously mentioned the historical significance of her role. After her victory in the 2020 election, she highlighted the importance of representation for future generations.
However, her current campaign strategy has not focused on the groundbreaking nature of her potential presidency. Instead, she has taken a different approach, putting her own spin on Biden’s campaign while emphasizing similar themes.
In her recent campaign video, Harris emphasized the themes of freedom and highlighted her policies on the economy, gun reform, and reproductive rights. She also touched on defeating former President Donald Trump, echoing Biden’s message from the previous election.
While the idea of electing the first female president may not be the central message of Harris’ campaign, the enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy suggests that it is understood. Harris’s focus on promoting vital issues for women and standing against Trump’s policies is viewed as more crucial than emphasizing the “first” aspect.