In case you’re wondering what a Biden presidency would look like, forget about it. We just found out.
Joe Biden’s selection of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his vice presidential running mate was the first official act of the Biden administration – and will be remembered as one of the most historic, bold, carefully-calculated, and brilliantly-choreographed decisions of any American president. Ever.
As entertaining as the vice presidential game of musical chairs has been for the political commentariat, it was obvious from the beginning that Kamala Harris was Biden’s best and safest choice. Or, as the cliche goes, it was clear she checked the most boxes: electability, experience, likeability, left but not too far left, age, woman, African-American, South Asian.
Even Trumpers must acknowledge, Kamala Harris is a formidable candidate: smart, tough, full of energy, and great on her feet. Her life story is the embodiment of the American dream: that any child, boy or girl, white or black, rich or poor, even a daughter of immigrants, could grow up to be president, or vice president, of the United States.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Harris’s laser-like grilling of Attorney General Bill Barr and then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have already made Internet history. And there’s no doubt, as vice president, she’d be capable of stepping up into the nation’s top job, if necessary.
But, rock star that she is, Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris says as much about him as it does about her. Unlike the man who currently holds the office, he’s no impulsive, flim-flam, ill-informed, ignore the experts, shoot-from-the-lip pretender. Biden’s the real deal: an informed, careful, deliberate, laser-focused, self-confident, weigh the evidence, consult the experts, decision-maker.
It shows the kind of president Biden will be and provides the best window into how he will govern. His veep selection process was a textbook case of how to wrestle with and resolve a difficult problem.
Remember, crushing any concern that he would be too timid a leader, Biden himself made history by announcing that his running mate would be a woman: not could be, but would be. Men need not apply. He then assembled a top team of advisers to vet and review potential female candidates. He acknowledged that his primary goal in choosing a running mate was someone he felt comfortable with and who was clearly qualified to take over as president. He listened to the experts, he weighed the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, he interviewed the leading candidates personally. And, in the end, he chose the one he felt would not only make the best vice president, but help most in defeating Donald Trump.
And here’s what’s most remarkable of all. Biden did it all, the entire vice presidential selection process took place – without any leaks. We knew who the frontrunners were – Harris, former national security advisor Susan Rice, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) – but not even Harris knew who the prizewinner was until just an hour or so before Biden announced his choice to the world.
Overall, what a contrast to the chaotic, amateurish decision-making process in the Trump White House, where there’s no planning, no deliberation, no consultation with experts, no consideration of what’s best for the country, but only spur-of-the-moment, seat-of-the-pants, damn-the-consequences demands by Donald Trump on what he thinks is best for him.
In his choice of a running mate, Joe Biden proved he offers just what the country needs: calm, deliberate, competent leadership. It’s about time.
Press is host of “The Bill Press Pod.” He is author of “From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire.”