Happy Fourth of July…
… and why Kamala Harris should take over from Joe Biden
On the day of the UK general election, I also wanted to send a brief note to all of our American subscribers to Zeteo, to wish you a ‘Happy Fourth of July’ and to just say I hope each and every one of you gets a break from work, from stress, from doom-scrolling online, and that you’re able to make some time today for family, friends, and maybe fireworks too.
However, as former president Barack Obama once reminded us: “Loving your country shouldn't just mean watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. Loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it. If you do, your life will be richer, our country will be stronger.”
Zeteo is all about changing the United States, and the wider world, for the better - through unfiltered news and bold opinions. Through holding the mainstream media, and the people in power, to account. Through fearless, adversarial, unbowed journalism.
Last week, in a short video for Zeteo, I argued that Joe Biden “has got to go” after his “car-crash” debate performance against Donald Trump, after being “unable to finish his whispered sentences, looking like a deer in the headlights, unable to hit back against the convicted felon standing just a few feet away.”
Yesterday, writing for the Guardian, I made the (reluctant) case for why Kamala Harris should take Biden’s place at the top of the ticket, because she has a better chance of beating Trump and his far-right movement of fascists and racists in November. In the piece, I addressed the latest polls, her political record, and also the Gaza-shaped elephant in the room.
Given Biden refuses to budge on this issue, a Harris candidacy might offer a fresh start for Democrats on Gaza. Remember the headline in Politico from December? “Kamala Harris pushes White House to be more sympathetic toward Palestinians.” Or the NBC News reporting from March on how Biden’s national security council “toned down parts of her speech” calling for a ceasefire, because the original draft “was harsher on Israel”?
“She is definitely better on Gaza than he is,” a well-connected member of the administration told me a few weeks ago.
To be clear: I’m not saying Joe Biden can’t win or that Kamala Harris won’t lose. I’m simply saying that there is a younger, more popular, more effective campaigner ready and willing to go, who could turn the page on Gaza while giving Trump the rhetorical drubbing he so deserves.
Read my full Guardian op-ed here.
Oh, and please do also check out Diana Buttu’s chilling new essay for Zeteo: “I Spoke To Palestinians Tortured By Israel. What They Endured Is Unimaginable.”
Noooo, Harris is also imperialist and pro Israel. She has not demonstrated to be any different politically speaking. The reality is that those parties (Rep. and Dems) don’t have any candidate who really listens to the people and works for the benefit of its constituents.
Are you sure of Harris' appeal? From my understanding, and observation, the VP isn't very popular. If the Dems are determined to make a change, wouldn't they have to open the upcoming convention and see who emerges as a ticket? I don't think Harris is the consensus choice. Biden is afflicted with the same ailment that RBG, Diane Feinstein, and to a lesser extent Nancy Pelosi suffered: inability to call it a career and exit the stage.