President Kamala Harris, by Simbo Olorunfemi
“The moment is usually a child of circumstance, flying on the wings of its own volition at a higher altitude than the wheeling and dealing of everyday politics. Without the moment opening its flanks, you can hardly force a man on it.”
- Simbo Olorunfemi, 2022.
It is difficult to believe that it has been only one month since the dramatic change at the top of the Democratic Party ticket, which saw President Joe Biden, the presumptive presidential nominee of the party, stepping down from the race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor.
As if the build-up to the American elections, which was supposed to be a rematch between President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, wasn’t dramatic enough, this development, especially Biden’s endorsement of Kamala Harris as his replacement, turned everything on its head.
Only a few saw it coming. Following Biden’s debate debacle, the possibility of a switch began to be entertained, and speculations on possible replacements began. Even then, few considered her a strong or good choice, citing her ratings as VP as a constraint and evidence that her candidacy simply wouldn’t succeed.
What did they know?
While the initial thought among some analysts and party leaders was to open up the contest for the ticket to as many interested candidates as possible, the way VP Harris smoothly took up the mantle, fully embracing the moment, saw the momentum swiftly move in her direction, making her candidacy a fait accompli.
Within a few days, there was a flurry of endorsements from party bigwigs, with those initially touted as contenders stepping down for her and endorsing her, leading some unsettled by her acceptance to label it a coronation. The man on the other side even called it unconstitutional, suddenly becoming an advocate for his beloved Joe.
But it was easy to see that Trump was clearly rattled, confessing to their struggle to ‘define’ an opponent they assumed was going to be easy to beat but who had become the focus of attention and unprecedented enthusiasm, shattering fundraising records, with $200 million raised in only one week.
That energy and wave of enthusiasm that heralded Kamala’s emergence, which some saw as a honeymoon that would soon taper off, has refused to do so. Rather, she has continued to rise, reclaiming lost ground and breaking new frontiers to take the lead and give herself and her party a fighting chance of winning in November.
She has indeed been on a roll. It’s been one touchdown after another, hardly putting a foot wrong. For someone whom analysts had touted as a featherweight, the level of enthusiasm greeting her run is remarkable. The way she has energized the party, from top to bottom, is unprecedented. Many say that the last time such enthusiasm was witnessed was during Obama’s first run for president.
With Kamala Harris, hope has made a comeback. Michelle Obama describes what is being witnessed as the contagious power of hope. But it is not only hope that has made a comeback; joy has also returned.
There is something to be said for hope in contrast to the messages of doom and gloom from the other side. It is good to see a full-throated, unpretentious laugh. It’s not a shock that someone I can’t ever recall seeing laugh, or even smile, would be irritated by another person’s laugh to the point of labeling it the ‘laugh of a lunatic.’
One remarkable thing about the Kamala Harris campaign is how tight it has been and how steady the ship has remained, deftly combining a decent and joyful tone with the grit needed to push back against the insults, lies, and denigrating remarks that relentlessly come from the other man.
The campaign has been smart with its themes. The adoption of ‘Freedom’ and the treatments they have given it are just as smart as the catchphrases they have come up with—”We’re not going back,” “Do something,” and even “Thank you, Joe.” It has simply been an electrifying campaign.
They have not kept it at simply going high when others stay low but have hit back regularly. They have been smart in defining the other man as weird, weak, and small, rather than the tough figure he would like to be seen as.
The campaign has done well in reorganizing the Democratic National Convention to make it the success it turned out to be. The way all the leaders have rallied around her, in a show of force and unity, is simply impressive.
They have also secured big-name celebrity endorsements and the support of notable Republicans, including those who worked directly with President Trump, such as Stephanie Grisham, and got them to speak at the Democratic Convention.
From early indications, it appears she aced her first major decision, which was in choosing a running mate. Coach Tim Walz has been a refreshing addition to the ticket, doubling the energy and enthusiasm of the campaign.
Indeed, the last month has been an incredible run. It has been interesting watching this woman, who has captured the imagination of Americans and the world, grow and take her place in such a short period as the one whom this moment has chosen.
I have argued, with political history as a guide, that it is always more about the moment than the person. No matter how prepared someone might be or how long they have been at it, success often boils down to what the moment desires at that specific time.
I believe that what we are witnessing again validates my hypothesis that it is always more about the moment than the person.
With just about 70 days to go before America decides, one can only hope for a choice of optimism over cynicism, hope over gloom, and joy over despondency.
I will argue again that no matter how good a person is, it is the force of the moment that ultimately determines the outcome. When the moment chooses a person, the forces align in that person’s favor, making them the person of the moment.
This moment seems to have aligned in favor of the previously underrated Kamala Harris. It is my hope that it will eventually crystallize into her election as President of the United States of America.
Olorunfemi is a Media Executive and Publisher
