When the government in Biden announced that Gene Sperling would oversee the implementation of its coronavirus relief plan, a question was asked among Democrats: Why was it not? Kamala Harris
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After all, when Joe Biden was vice president, he had a similar role for the Obama administration, while overseeing the 2009 stimulus bill and its implementation during the downturn, known as the Great Recession.
In the first two months of government, Harris has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 rescue plan and is a constant institution on Biden’s side during speeches, announcements of executive orders and rollouts.
But she still has to work out a specific policy role at the White House, and some were surprised that she did not get Sperling’s responsibilities.
“I think it surprised a lot of Democrats,” said a Democratic strategist near the White House. “And that has made many people ask what exactly her role as vice president is.”
“A lot of people seem to be asking the question,” said a Democratic donor who expressed concern that Harris was not yet building her own brand. “She has the unique ability to tackle her own portfolio and highlight her strengths. Why not make a profit out of it?”
On Friday, Harris appeared with Biden in Atlanta, where the two met with lawmakers and lawyers from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities after the murder of eight people, including six Asian women.
Harris is the first black vice president, and the first Asian American vice president.
They also visited the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, where they received an update from medical experts on the pandemic. They were also side by side in meetings with Sens. Raphael Warnock
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During the visit, Harris made remarks in which he introduced Biden and condemned the recent increase in violence against Asians.
“For the last year, we’ve had people in positions of incredible powers who are sinning Asian Americans, people with the biggest pulpits spreading this kind of hatred,” Harris said. President Trump
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“Ultimately, it’s about who we are as a nation, it’s about how we treat people with dignity and respect,” she said. An injury to any of us is an injury to all of us. The president and I will not be silent, we will not stand by it, we will always speak out against violence, hate crimes and discrimination, wherever and whenever it happens. ”
Harris’s biggest and most important role so far in the new government is perhaps in the Senate.
She has cast three decisive votes in the Senate 50-50, and could be the deciding vote on the most important legislation over the next two years.
She also played a role in foreign policy and appealed to Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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The trip to Georgia, the Senate vote and all of Harris’ work point to a busy agenda, even if she’s not at the helm of one policy area.
Harris asked in an Axios interview last month what her signing would be in government, and Harris replied that her focus would be on “making sure Joe Biden is a success.”
However, Democrats say it would be good to develop a portfolio, especially if she wants to take the reins of Biden in 2024. This is considered a great possibility since Biden is 78.
“The challenge for Kamala Harris is that she does not have a well-defined brand,” Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons said. “Her challenge is to put more definition around her so people know what they’re getting.”
“Right now, people see her as a competent, smart attorney, but she has to define herself around a number of issues,” Simmons added.
Harris also finds herself in a delicate situation given the possibility that Biden can serve only one term. To be sure, Biden did not rule out running again, which means Vice President Biden should not be at the forefront of the issues of the day, even if she is watching her own next steps politically.
“This is a unique situation,” said Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist. “Joe Biden recognizes the transitional nature of his presidency and it creates expectations for Kamala Harris that we have not yet seen for a modern vice president. Normally, a vice president at this stage does not think so sharply about their future. ‘
Harris’ allies say any mention of her lack of portfolio is unfair.
“Biden and Harris have taken office amid historic public health and economic crises,” one ally said. “Ending the pandemic and boosting the economy is currently very important to the public. It will not be good for her, the president or the country if she does not do other things if everyone rightly focuses on those issues. ”
Cal Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University, said he also did not find it surprising that Harris did not have a defined portfolio of responsibilities so early in administration.
“Biden seems to like and respect Harris, but he has a lot more political experience and policy experience than she does,” Jillson said. ‘She is therefore shadowing as she becomes familiar with a broad and complex terrain.
“She is also being prepared, brought along, and she seems smart enough to realize and appreciate it,” he added. “If someone takes you where you want to go, just pick up your feet.”
Morgan Chalfant contributed to this report