Former CNN Analyst Claims Democrats Were Compelled to Select Harris Due to Her Identity

A former CNN analyst stated on Friday that the selection of Kamala Harris by the Democrats was influenced by her race, gender, and current position as vice president, rather than being an independent choice.

Despite having limited support from primary voters, Harris is running as the presumptive nominee with backing from party insiders. Chris Cillizza, on his YouTube channel, suggested that in the given circumstances, and with the Democratic National Convention fast approaching following President Joe Biden’s sudden exit from the race, Democrats might have chosen a different nominee if not for Harris's unique profile.

“I think you need to win the Midwest and Pennsylvania to get elected president if you’re a Democrat. And I think Harris is, at best, an even money bet to win those states,” Cillizza remarked. “She probably has as much a chance as pre-debate Biden. So she can win, but it’s no lock … But the realities of the way the Democratic Party works, the vice president of the United States, who is a black woman, is not going to be the nominee.”

“In a situation like this, where the president says he’s not running again, the convention is in a month, and they have to pick really fast, she’s going to win,” he added. “Even if it was an open convention, which it’s not really going to be … she would’ve won anyway. But is she the best candidate in a vacuum if the Democrats could pick anyone with no repercussions? No, she is not.”

When asked by a viewer if a ticket with two Rust Belt governors would be better than having Harris as vice president, Cillizza noted that Harris has “limited experience,” a “far-left voting record,” and “border crisis baggage.” He agreed with the viewer's concerns, suggesting that Democrats would have preferred Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over Harris under normal conditions.

Border security advocates who spoke to the Daily Caller warned that a Harris presidency could exacerbate the border crisis. Her voting record in the Senate, statements about federal immigration agencies, and actions as vice president suggest a significant shift towards progressive policies.

Liberal voters from Wisconsin, featured in an MSNBC segment on Thursday, voiced their disapproval of the process that led to Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, yet they still intended to vote for her in the November election.

“I think by trying to clear the field and ensure that it was going to be Biden and... not allow us to have an actual democratic primary process — I’m not saying I think Kamala Harris is going to lose, but I do think that we would have been benefited significantly if he had figured this out far sooner so there could have actually been more time to have an internal debate, have internal democracy within the party,” a male voter shared with the network.

Meanwhile, a Democratic candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania accused Shapiro, who is on Vice President Kamala Harris’s shortlist for potential running mates, of serious misconduct.

Treasurer nominee Erin McClelland “appeared to accuse Shapiro of sexism and covering up sexual harassment,” implying that he “wouldn’t be satisfied playing second fiddle” to Harris, according to the New York Post, referencing a tweet she posted on Tuesday evening.

“I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug. I want someone that can speak to rural voters,” she wrote, endorsing North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The New York Post reported: “McClelland noted she did not mention Shapiro’s name directly in her tweet but told The Post her concerns about the extent of the governor’s presidential ambitions should he be added to the ticket.”