AG Report 8.6.2024

Kamala Harris Passes on Sister Souljah Moment

Standing up against intra-party extremism is a powerful way for presidential candidates to earn the trust of independent voters. Bill Clinton famously employed this approach in 1992 and inspired many politicians to seek their own "Sister Souljah moment." Kamala Harris could have seized this opportunity with her running mate selection but ultimately chose to forgo it.

In a tightly contested race, selecting a popular governor from the most critical swing state in the country would have been a wise move. Gov. Josh Shapiro has earned the trust of voters in Pennsylvania with his dependable liberalism, Obama-like rhetorical style, and proven knack for connecting with constituents. While generally pro-Israel, Shapiro has been openly critical of the current Israeli government, aligning his views with those of other prominent contenders.

So, what’s the problem?

Shapiro is an observant Jew.

Over the past eight months, it’s become painfully clear that a notable segment of the Democratic base is antisemitic. This became particularly apparent in recent weeks as Shapiro emerged as a leading VP candidate. Despite sharing similar views on Israel with other contenders, several far-left groups launched a hostile campaign against him, even labeling him “Genocide Josh.” The situation escalated to the point that several Jewish Democrats in Congress felt compelled to intervene. The same groups attacking Shapiro were also openly lobbying for Harris to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

This scenario presented Harris with an ideal opportunity to assert her own "Sister Souljah” moment. She could have taken a stand against the antisemitism within her party and reassured independent voters that her administration would not cater to such extremism — an issue that has plagued Biden. However, she clearly determined that the risk of alienating the bigoted and pro-terror factions within her base would have been too great and instead chose Walz as her running mate.

While this choice does not guarantee that a Harris administration would normalize or excuse antisemitism, it raises serious doubts about her willingness to confront extremists within her party and even signals that a Harris administration would likely pander to them.

Biden-Harris Foreign Policy Record Has a Pattern of Failure