Chuck Todd: How Harris can use her VP search to define herself

A methodical vice presidential search could help reintroduce Kamala Harris to the country and allow voters the skeptical middle to take a measure of her.

Building an airplane as it takes off is no way to build an airplane. And yet, sometimes, circumstances dictate that you have no choice but to try.

Of all the potential metaphors to use and abuse in this unprecedented moment, that’s probably the best one. Building a national campaign isn’t easy. It’s also exactly what Kamala Harris and the Democrats are doing with just over 100 days until Election Day.

Harris tried it once herself and experienced some ups but a lot more downs. She’s getting a massive head start this time compared to her 2020 primary campaign, thanks to what has turned into an almost seamless handoff from President Joe Biden to the new de facto Democratic nominee.

The Democratic National Committee seems set on trying to nominate Harris and her eventual running mate in a virtual delegate roll call before the actual convention begins. While I understand some of party leaders’ technical concerns around state laws and waiting until the start of the convention to officially nominate Harris and her running mate, it seems like an unnecessary step given the circumstances. The Democrats should welcome any GOP attempts to block Harris from a state ballot, because voters wouldn’t love the look, because there’s nothing about what the Democrats are doing that’s illegal or even unprecedented.

In fact, it used to be normal for the parties to wait until their conventions to certify their nominees, so while this is an unprecedented situation for the 21st century, it’s not abnormal in the grand scheme of things. And while there was a rush to hurry up and consolidate support behind a new nominee, there is now time to take a breath and start being a tad more methodical.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/chuck-todd-harris-can-use-vp-search-define-rcna163195

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