Harris has work to do if she wants to be US president

Whenever I contemplate writing about US Vice President Kamala Harris, I feel an overwhelming urge to say that, despite my fundamental disagreements with the policies of the Democratic Party, I was genuinely delighted when a woman was selected in 2020 to hold the second-highest office in the country. It was a significant milestone and a moment of progress I wholeheartedly supported. However, my initial optimism has receded.

In American politics, choosing a leader is a big deal. We need someone with experience, achievements and strong leadership skills. Although her expected candidacy for November’s presidential election is historic and a symbol of progress, Harris still has to prove she has the ability to lead the nation.

The vice president has had an impressive career, with roles as district attorney of San Francisco, attorney general of California and senator for California. However, her time in these positions has not always been successful. As district attorney, she made some decisions that upset people at both ends of the political spectrum.

As vice president, Harris was entrusted with several high-stakes responsibilities, including addressing the root causes of migration from Central America and tackling the voting rights crisis. Her role in addressing migration was prominently highlighted when President Joe Biden appointed her the unofficial “border czar” in March 2021. Although not officially endorsed by the administration, this title became a focal point of both media and political discourse.

The chaotic situation at the border has persisted, with issues such as crowded shelters, strained resources and a lack of adequate long-term solutions. Many observers argue that the former California senator’s efforts have not produced the clear and decisive action needed to stabilize the situation. The administration’s approach has lacked strategic coherence and failed to effectively address the underlying causes of migration, such as economic instability and violence in the source countries.

Harris’s vision for America includes admirable goals such as social justice, but it so far lacks specifics

Dalia Al-Aqidi

Similarly, Harris’s work on voting rights has faced challenges. The crucial voting rights bills she supported have struggled to gain traction in Congress. This legislative stalemate reflects a broader difficulty in translating advocacy into concrete policy changes.

The liberal media’s portrayal of Harris’ role as border czar has also evolved lately. Initially, the term was widely used to highlight her high-profile responsibilities and the administration’s focus on migration issues. However, with her ascent to the top of the Democratic ticket as the presumptive presidential nominee following President Biden's exit, the use of the title has vanished. This shift underscores a broader trend whereby media narratives are adapted based on political shifts and evolving priorities.

This leads us to foreign policy, in which Harris’s experience is limited. While she has been involved in some international issues as vice president, her foreign policy credentials are not as robust as those of her predecessors. With today’s complex global challenges, a candidate with strong foreign policy experience could gain the upper hand.

National leadership requires a clear and compelling vision for the future. Harris’s vision for America includes admirable goals such as social justice, but it so far lacks specifics and strategic planning will be needed to achieve these changes.

Leadership requires more than ambition and symbolic victories: it demands a track record of effective governance, and the ability to unite and inspire and a clear, actionable vision for the future. Harris has work to do if she is going to beat Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election.

• Dalia Al-Aqidi is executive director at the American Center for Counter Extremism.