BTN News: In the August 28th edition of Time magazine, the spotlight is firmly placed on Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and Democratic candidate, with a striking black-and-white portrait gracing the cover. This issue marks a pivotal moment in Harris’s political journey, as Time delves into her rise and transformation in the eyes of the American public and the Democratic Party. The feature article, titled “The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris,” chronicles the enthusiasm and support she garnered during her rally in Philadelphia on August 6th, where she introduced her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The magazine draws a parallel between the “exuberant crowd” at Harris’s rally and the early days of Barack Obama’s historic campaigns, suggesting a resonance with the same spirit of hope and change that once defined the Obama era. Time has featured Obama on its cover multiple times, with one of the most iconic being the 2008 edition where he was depicted in an artistic rendering with the colors of the American flag, his gaze set on the future.
Harris’s journey, as highlighted by Time, has been one of rapid and significant transformation. After President Joe Biden announced his decision to step aside, Harris quickly became the focal point of the Democratic Party’s ambitions. Time notes that Harris has “achieved the fastest shift in perception in modern political history,” a testament to her growing influence and the urgency of the moment. This shift is underscored by her campaign’s impressive fundraising haul of $200 million in the first week alone, setting a new record for any presidential candidate. Additionally, more than 38,000 people registered to vote on vote.org within 48 hours of Harris being announced as the future Democratic nominee.
Despite these achievements, Harris’s journey has not been without challenges. Time reflects on the skepticism that has surrounded her political career for years. Critics within the Democratic Party have often questioned her political acumen, with some pundits dismissing her rhetoric and polls suggesting limited appeal. Her performance in the 2020 presidential primaries was described as “stiff,” and her tenure as Biden’s Vice President did not initially inspire widespread confidence.
However, the Harris campaign is now framing her as a formidable opponent in the upcoming election. She is being positioned as “a former prosecutor running against a convicted criminal, a defender of abortion rights battling the man who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, and a next-generation Democrat challenging a 78-year-old Republican.” These contrasts are central to her campaign narrative as she prepares to take on the Republican nominee in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested election.
Yet, as Time points out, Harris will inevitably be held accountable for the Biden administration’s record, particularly on issues like inflation and the border crisis—topics that polls indicate are crucial to voters in the upcoming election. The legacy of the Biden presidency will be both a shield and a challenge for Harris as she navigates the political landscape ahead.
This cover story is not Harris’s first appearance on Time’s front page. Earlier in August, the magazine featured a cover showing Harris stepping onto the scene from the left as Biden faded into the background on the right, symbolizing the passing of the torch. In 2019, Harris also graced the cover with a photographic portrait during her campaign for the Democratic primaries.
As Harris continues to redefine her political identity, Time’s coverage serves as both a recognition of her achievements and a reminder of the hurdles that lie ahead. This moment, as the magazine suggests, could very well be the defining chapter in Kamala Harris’s political career.
