The Case for Kamala

And what to watch out for

I’d like whoever can beat Trump to be the democratic nominee. But if Kamala Harris can beat Trump—and the more I read, the more I believe she can—it will be very good for women. Republicans have made it clear they plan to roll back women's independence one policy at-a-time — from legal abortion to affirmative action to no-fault divorce, and beyond.

Actually, it’s precisely because of her stance on women that I believe she will be able to beat him.

Harris has shown an unwavering commitment to reproductive rights and access to abortion. Over and over she has said some variation of “we trust women to know what’s best for them and their families,” perhaps a nod to Dr. George Tiller, the murdered abortion provider whose motto was “Trust Women.”

She’s also the one who pointedly grilled Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court, asking, “Can you think of any laws that give the government the power to make decisions about the male body?” until he finally stammered: "I'm not aware — I'm not — thinking of any right now, senator."

Trump and Vance are no match for her with their disdain for women who speak up, especially for those who can speak knowledgeably about abortion. There will be no room for Trump’s “post-birth abortion” bullshit. In a Bloomberg piece last January titled, “Harris Is Trump’s Worst Nightmare on Abortion,” Mia-Malika Henderson wrote, “She can talk personally about what it means to be a woman in post-Roe America. She can talk about the crimes against women and children she encountered as a prosecutor and how those victims will fare in DobbsAmerica. She can echo and amplify the everyday concerns and fears millions of women now live with. Most importantly, Harris can channel the anger.”

That last part is crucial because the rage is real. If Harris taps into it — and I think she’s well on her way — She will inspire those who have become discouraged, reigniting their determination to fight with renewed strength. This year, Harris criss-crossed the country speaking out for abortion rights and maternal health, like the poorer health outcomes for Black and Native American pregnant people. She was the first VP ever to visit an abortion clinic. In an interview on MSNBC, she warned, “Every person of whatever gender should understand that, if such a fundamental freedom such as the right to make decisions about your own body can be taken, be aware of what other freedoms may be at stake.” She is not simply paying lip service to an issue many people care about. Watch her and you will see their fury is also hers.

Harris stands to be the most vocal advocate for reproductive justice of any major party candidate in history. And as we learned in 2023 from Ohio, where voters (including a significant number of Republicans) approved a proposal to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s Constitution, and in 2022 from the crash of the anticipated Red Wave in the midterm elections after Roe was overturned, abortion rights are key to winning an election.

But that will not be the only historic piece of a Kamala Harris candidacy, of course. She is the person who mesmerized little girls everywhere as she gave her acceptance speech for VP and said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” And she is not just a woman, but a Black woman and a person of Indian descent. We need to be prepared for the sexism and racism she will certainly face.

She will be held to a higher moral standard than nearly anyone else who has ever run for office. She will be expected to be nurturing, kind and selfless, and if she is those things, it will be used as proof she’s too “soft” to lead. She will be criticized for being manipulative and cold, proof she’s not feminine/white/ethical enough and therefore suspect. She will be attacked for being childless (despite her two stepchildren) yet if she were a mother they’d wonder how she could possibly be a good one if she wants such a demanding job. Her hair, clothing, and general appearance will be dissected. If she is poised and articulate, she will be called fake, never mind her hearty signature laugh. She will be mocked for her laugh and called crazy (Oh wait, Trump already did that). They will call her incompetent and when she proves otherwise, it will be proof she’s aggressive, elitist, and unlikeable. They will harp on her unlikeability. A woman who seeks power is not a woman at all but a threat to eliminate. They will accuse her of using abortion as a distraction (now that they have suddenly gone silent on the issue), despite being the ones who amplified the issue, pretending it was about babies to play on the emotions and religiosity of others, rather than an effort to bring back the good ol’ days for men.

A person who understands that bodily autonomy is the basis for all freedom, is someone who is going to fight not only for abortion rights, but for the right to physical, sexual, and financial safety for all women, all genders, and all racially marginalized folks. Trust women, indeed. Trust women to donate, trust them—us—to knock on doors, trust us to send postcards, trust us to phone bank. Our democracy depends on it.