Can Harris Pivot to the Center?

Jonathan Chait: “When Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee, I expressed cautious optimism that she had learned from her disastrous 2020 campaign, which revolved around placating left-wing activists by adopting highly unpopular issue positions. The data point that seemed most compelling was her rumored slate of vice-presidential selections, which consisted of Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky — the three most moderate governors in the party. ‘What this leak indicates,’ I wrote, ‘is that Harris understands the assignment.'”

“But … does she? Her decision to pick Tim Walz, while not completely irrational, makes me much more cautious and less optimistic that Harris does understand the assignment.”

“The assignment, to be clear, is to win over voters who don’t like Donald Trump but worry Harris is too liberal.”