Why is Kamala Harris wrapping up the Democratic nomination so quickly?

Overview:  

This article was written by Elaine Kamarck at Brookings.  

• Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris, who has swiftly consolidated support within the Democratic Party.  
• Several factors, including immediate vetting, logistical time constraints, and her qualifications, contributed to the rapid consolidation around Harris's candidacy.   

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Key Quotes:  

• "In order to become vice president in the first place, Harris passed the vetting test, and four years in the White House was plenty of time for any other skeletons in her closet to be outed."
• "Kamala has been in the White House for nearly four full years, she has led delegations overseas, she has listened to classified briefings, she has negotiated with Congress."

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What They Discuss:  

• The party decided quickly to support Harris due to the lack of time and the extensive vetting she has already undergone as Vice President.
• While proposals for a mini-primary to replace Biden were floated, logistical challenges made this impractical.
• Other potential candidates showed no substantial initiative to run against Harris, such as rallying delegate support.
• Harris’s deep involvement in significant political activities and readiness to assume presidential duties made her the most suitable candidate.
• A swift transition to Harris helps the party focus on the general election, avoiding prolonged uncertainty and disorganization.

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What They Recommend:  

• Follow existing convention rules to officially nominate Harris, bypassing the need for elaborate new procedures.
• Leverage the already pledged delegate support to formalize the nomination quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain momentum into the general election campaign to capitalize on the current unity and fundraising success.

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Key Takeaways:  

• Kamala Harris is recognized as the best-prepared candidate to replace Biden, owing to her experience and rapid endorsement from delegates.
• Time constraints and logistical challenges prevented a more drawn-out selection process.
• Unifying behind Harris helps the Democratic Party avoid further chaos and positions it strongly against the Republicans in the upcoming general election.

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This is a brief overview of the article by Elaine Kamarck at Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.