Harris faces domestic and international 'crisis'

The 'challenges' of Vice President Kamala Harris

Since the beginning of her campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has positioned herself as the face of America’s future, according to The New York Times. But in the current climate, unexpected crises, from natural disasters to strikes to Middle East wars, have thrown her into unprecedented challenges. This highlights the fact that Ms. Harris is not only running for the future but also facing urgent difficulties in the present. In just a few weeks, Vice President Harris has had to deal with three major crises, each of which has the potential to shake up her campaign:

Hurricane Helene and its devastating impact on the Southeast : Hurricane Helene swept through the Southeast last week, leaving at least 183 people dead and thousands affected. Areas like Augusta, Georgia, became the center of relief efforts, with Harris taking time off the campaign trail to assess damage and coordinate emergency relief. Her presence in the affected areas was meant to showcase her leadership and ability to handle the crisis, but it also disrupted her campaign schedule, depriving her of the opportunity to reach voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Nevada.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta, Georgia, to discuss federal recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Photo: NBC News

Major Port Strikes in the US : The strike of 45,000 stevedores at major ports on the East and Gulf Coasts is the first since 1977, causing disruptions in the US's vital supply chain. This not only directly affects the economy but also raises questions about Ms. Harris's ability to manage labor issues and maintain economic stability. Republican Representative Matt Gaetz was quick to take advantage of the situation to criticize the Democrats: "Vice President Harris and the Biden administration are unable to control domestic crises."

Middle East War - Major International Crisis : The situation in Gaza following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has escalated into a nearly year-long war that threatens to spread to Lebanon and Iran. Vice President Harris has been attending meetings at the White House to monitor developments and support military decisions to defend her ally Israel against the Iranian threat. However, the escalation of this war poses a major challenge for Ms. Harris in demonstrating her international leadership, as ongoing conflicts require quick and effective decisions.

The convergence of these events undermines the campaign message that Harris has carefully crafted over the past two months — that she represents a “new way forward” for America. Instead of focusing solely on plans and strategies for the future, Harris now faces immediate pressure from existential crises that demand tough, decisive leadership.

When past and present collide on the political track

In her first two months as the Democratic presidential candidate, Harris used her position as vice president to promote herself as a steady, experienced leader. But recent crises have disrupted her campaign, forcing her to recalibrate her strategy and split her time between dealing with crises and campaigning. Canceling trips to Nevada and Pennsylvania to focus on Hurricane Helene relief is a prime example, depriving her of opportunities to reach voters in battleground states.

One of the biggest challenges facing Harris is a strike by longshoremen at major ports on the East and Gulf Coasts. It is the first time since 1977 that the union representing them has called a strike, threatening to disrupt vital supply chains and cost the economy billions of dollars. The port strike not only affects the economy, but also voters’ confidence in Harris’s leadership. Voters often look to how candidates handle economic crises when deciding their election. If Harris fails to effectively address the strike, it could erode her support among voters, especially those who work in industries directly affected.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene has caused severe damage to Southeastern states. Harris took a break from the campaign to travel to Augusta, Georgia, one of the hardest-hit areas, to assess the situation and direct relief efforts. Natural disasters like Helene often have long-term political implications, as recovery and aid can take months or even years. How Harris and the Democratic administration handle the aftermath of the disaster will affect voter confidence, especially in hard-hit areas.

At the same time, the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas threatens to drag the entire Middle East into a wider war. At the White House, Harris met with President Joe Biden in the Situation Room, monitoring developments in Gaza and delivering tough statements about Iran’s role in destabilizing the region. Harris supported Biden’s order for the U.S. military to shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, stressing the need for a strong response to protect allies and maintain regional peace.

The Middle East crisis is not only a complicated foreign policy puzzle, but also a major challenge for Ms. Harris in demonstrating her ability to manage international affairs. For American voters, global stability is closely linked to domestic stability, and Ms. Harris needs to show that she is capable of leading the country through these tumultuous times.

Harris's political future: The balance between official duties and campaigning

In addition to campaigning, Ms. Harris must maintain her role as Vice President, especially in times of crisis. This includes attending important meetings at the White House, overseeing disaster relief efforts, and participating in strategic foreign policy decisions. Her continued presence in these meetings is intended to demonstrate her leadership and crisis management skills, but it also means she must divide her time and energy between two important roles.

Vice President Harris is looking to offer practical solutions to the current crises, in order to demonstrate effective and credible leadership, said Ian Sams, a representative for Vice President Harris. Harris has tried to shift the economic responsibility from President Biden to herself, emphasizing that she is capable of operating and putting in place appropriate policies to deal with inflation and high prices. However, the strike and other crises have raised questions about Harris’s ability to maintain stability and respond to urgent needs.

While the Republican Party, under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, criticized Ms. Harris and the Biden administration for "mismanagement," Ms. Harris continued to assert her role in maintaining responsible leadership and solving real problems.

Many questions remain about Harris’s ability to address the big challenges of today. The global and domestic crises are not only a test of her leadership, but could also impact America’s political future in the upcoming election. In the coming weeks, Harris will continue to juggle her vice presidential duties while campaigning, facing new challenges and the opportunity to prove herself to voters across the country.

To succeed, Vice President Kamala Harris will need to quickly adjust her strategy, seize opportunities to demonstrate her ability to effectively manage crises, and maintain support among key constituencies. The coming weeks will be critical to whether Harris can overcome the current challenges and continue to advance in the presidential race.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bau-cu-my-2024-ba-harris-doi-mat-voi-khung-hoang-noi-dia-va-quoc-te-350143.html