Reflection: Kamala Harris Didn't Use Tim Waltz Correctly

Opinion

The votes for the 2024 Presidential Election are in, and to my utter disappointment and surprise, Donald Trump will be President for another term, with J.D. Vance serving by his side.

Americans elected a white man who was proven to be openly racist, opposes women’s autonomy, expresses admiration for authoritarian figures like Hitler, prioritizes corporate interests, resists social welfare, and has a criminal history that includes molesting young girls. Trump has openly supported policies that threaten to dismantle essential benefits like healthcare and weaken environmental protections that many Americans rely on to improve their quality of life and well-being.

How the Democratic National Committee’s campaign strategy lost to Donal Trump, is one that needs to be examined and criticized. There are many elements that contributed to this result. However, I want to shed light on a noticeable decision in her campaign that damaged her reception, and could have influenced a more positive turnout.

EGO OVER NECESSITY

Kamala Harris being a black woman is familiar with the racial constructs embedded in the United States. he unspoken expectation that she must be the most mature, hardest-working, and intelligent person in the room—just to avoid scrutiny from her white counterparts—adds an extra layer to her responsibilities that often goes unacknowledged.

Her position symbolized hope for many women, especially women of color, representing a step forward in which they can be seen, heard, and empowered to lead without the exhausting burden to prove their worth. When she chose Tim Walz as her Vice President, she aimed to connect with the Midwest and its conservative-leaning constituents, opening the door for broader appeal. However instead of positioning him front and center in those states, she withdrew Waltz for publicity sake.

Harris could have considered using Tim Walz as a strategic figurehead, subtly aligning with the perception that he held more influence, to boost her likability among voters. Given that Trump supporters have shown a tendency to prioritize emotions over factual evidence, she could have leveraged Walz's presence to build rapport with conservative voters, quietly advancing her initiatives through the familiar voice of a white male ally. This approach could have allowed her to make progress toward her goals while taking advantage of a false narrative that appealed to the likeness of those who opposed her.