After President Biden yielded to the intense political pressure and withdrew from his position as the Democratic nominee for president, it would be logical to assume that Kamala Harris, having been Biden’s political successor since 2020, would take the party’s leadership and its assets, rallying Democrats to beat former President Donald Trump.
However, despite the current push for Biden to step down, there has been lingering doubt among some about Harris’s viability as a presidential candidate. These doubts echo the issues that led to the failure of her presidential campaign and have been exacerbated by the uneven performance of her vice presidency.
The proliferation of clips and Kamala memes on social media highlighting her unusual and convoluted remarks has further fueled these concerns.
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Kamala Harris Culture Word Salad
In a 2023 piece by Fox News, Kamala Harris was labeled “the emptiest human being alive,” owing to her perplexing and bewildering public remarks. A notable instance occurred at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture, where Harris attempted to articulate her understanding of “culture” amidst a discussion on small businesses and abortion. Her lengthy explanation was met with derision on social media, with many deeming it nonsensical.
At the festival, the vice president offered her interpretation of culture.
“Culture is a mirror of our current era and times. It’s how we convey our feelings about the present, and we should always seek opportunities to express these sentiments. That’s a reflection of joy. Because you know… it arrives with the morning,” Harris said, laughing. She continued, “We must also find ways to express our feelings about the moment through language and connection to how people live. That’s how I see it, too.”
This comment reignited criticism of Harris’s public speaking, with Twitter users expressing astonishment at her “hollow” statements.
“Kamala’s attempt to define ‘culture’ today was akin to a 9-year-old summarizing a book they never read… More cringeworthy than most Biden speeches,” comedian Tim Young tweeted.
“Good Lord,” exclaimed Karen Townsend, a contributing editor at Hot Air.
Radio host Chris Stigall chimed in on Twitter, “This is the emptiest human being alive. Sincerely. Empty. Vapid. Nonsense.”
More ‘Kamalaisms’ and Gaffes
“I have a fondness for Venn diagrams,” the vice president remarked at a White House gathering. “Always question, ‘Could this be represented by a Venn diagram?’ It’s truly captivating when you explore it. So, Venn diagrams, those three circles, correct?”
Harris has been labeled “a fan of Venn diagrams.”
The VP seems to bring up Venn diagrams whenever there’s an item on her agenda to discuss, whether it’s voting rights or LGBTQ+ rights.
“At first, it seems amusing. Like, what is she talking about? Just a funny soundbite? But then you see the whole compilation, and it’s just odd,” Fox & Friends co-host Ainsly Earhardt commented.
In 2022, VP Kamala Harris faced some ridicule after expressing her affection for “yellow school buses” during a visit to Seattle.
During her talk, Harris shared her feelings about the nostalgia of a “yellow school bus.”
“Who doesn’t have a soft spot for a yellow school bus, right? Could you raise your hand if you love a yellow school bus? Many of us rode to school on the yellow school bus, right? It’s a part of our childhood memories. It’s a piece of nostalgia, a reminder of the excitement and joy of going to school to see your favorite teacher, to be with your best friends, and to learn. The school bus takes us there,” she said.
Huh???
Another video from 2023 that quickly gained popularity showed Harris speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the President’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. In the clip, Harris rhetorically asks, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” She goes on to emphasize the significance of one’s surroundings and heritage, stating, “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”
This quote was taken from a larger speech where Harris shared a personal story towards the end, highlighting the necessity of considering the needs of parents, grandparents, and communities in the pursuit of educational equity. The unexpected shift in tone and the peculiarity of the quote when taken out of context sparked a range of responses. It has been both mocked and celebrated, with some people using coconut and tree emojis to reference the speech on social media.
Another notable quote associated with Harris is “What can be, unburdened by what has been.” This phrase was first popularized by Harris in a 2020 tweet, where she expressed the impact of seeing someone who looks like oneself running for office, suggesting that it opens up possibilities for young children, free from the constraints of the past. The Republican National Committee shared a compilation of Harris repeating this phrase on Twitter on April 30, 2023, which contributed to its virality. The quote has been embraced by Harris’s online supporters, known as the KHive, but it has also been used critically by her detractors.
Are they just ‘soundbites’ and ‘out-of-context’ quotes?
The scrutiny of Harris’s public speaking, amplified by social media, has contributed to a narrative that questions her depth and clarity of thought. Instances such as her convoluted explanation of “culture” at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture and her frequent references to Venn diagrams have become fodder for critics, who have labeled her remarks as nonsensical and vapid. These moments have been seized upon by political opponents and have fueled a debate about her suitability for the presidency.
However, it is important to recognize that political discourse is often fraught with soundbites and out-of-context quotes that can distort a politician’s message. Harris’s supporters argue that her comments, when viewed in their entirety, reflect a genuine attempt to connect with the American public on complex issues. They contend that the focus on her rhetorical style detracts from the substance of her policy positions and her efforts to address significant challenges facing the nation.
As the Democratic Party navigates the post-Biden era, the question of leadership remains a critical one. Whether Harris can overcome the skepticism and unite the party behind her candidacy will depend on her ability to articulate a compelling vision for the future and to effectively communicate her policies to the American people. The road ahead is uncertain, but it is clear that Harris’s journey to the presidency, should she choose to pursue it, will be fraught with challenges that will test her resilience and political acumen.