CHICAGO ― As President Joe Biden bid a heartfelt farewell to the Democratic Party, a free Kamala Harris emerged from his shadow to capture the national spotlight.

The transition at the Democratic convention was a powerful illustration of the evolving political landscape, highlighted by the historic presence of the first Black and Asian American woman leading a presidential ticket.

While Biden’s policies served as a groundwork for her campaign, it was finally the 59-year-old Harris’ moment to take the helm just weeks after the 81-year-old president positioned her for the nation’s highest office.

For the first time, activists advocating for greater gender and minority representation in politics felt a genuine sense of belonging.

“We’re visible now and we see a reflection of ourselves in her,” expressed Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, who addressed the convention on Wednesday night. “It’s truly moving.”

With less than three months before the election, Harris must persuade the American public to trust her with a four-year presidential term. She is quickly outlining a platform that addresses the critical issues facing Americans, one that resonates with the party’s supporters while also appealing to moderates.

After making subtle progress on issues that matter to her without undermining Biden’s agenda, Harris now faces the challenge of presenting a clear vision coming out of the party’s four-day convention in Chicago.

Biden has largely stepped back, making fewer public appearances and taking a vacation in August.

She has gained ground against Trump in key battleground states, improving her favorability rating significantly.

“She needs to be authentic. She has to get out there and communicate that we are focused on middle-class families,” remarked Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a co-chair of Harris’ campaign.

As the post-Labor Day phase approaches, which often brings challenges when initial excitement fizzles out, Democrats recognize that Harris must prepare, especially as Republican 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump is likely to attack her vulnerabilities.

According to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Harris’ initial favorability may not last indefinitely. “I do expect Trump to find a way to deliver a political blow. He’s been doing poorly, but he’ll manage to find a message to hit on,” he noted.

“However, what you’ve seen from her is the ability to take criticism and keep moving forward,” he added during a Bloomberg News event.

Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff provided a straightforward evaluation in a convention speech on Tuesday evening. He indicated that his wife has a keen sense for identifying weakness.

“Kamala has little tolerance for nonsense. You all recognize the look. It’s not merely a social media joke – it reflects her genuine commitment to transparent and strong leadership,” he stated. “This is also why distractions won’t deter her.”

Emhoff’s rousing address in support of his wife, who was attending a rally that night in Wisconsin, underscored the evolving power dynamics within the Democratic Party with a woman now stepping into the leadership role.

Former Obama-era Labor Secretary Tom Perez remarked that the convention has allowed the nation to become better acquainted with Harris. “The timing of this convention is perfect, as we just entered the next phase,” Perez, a senior adviser to Biden and former DNC chair, said in an interview with YSL News.

Marking a generational transition

However, the transformation extends beyond just the face of the ticket; it signifies an important acknowledgement of the party’s evolving priorities.

Two years prior, a shift was foreshadowed when House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took over from Nancy Pelosi as the leading Democrat in the House.

Now, with Harris as the emblem of the multicultural Democratic Party, the  younger generation in the party is also taking on more responsibility.

“This generational transition gives us a chance to shape its meaning,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., remarked on Tuesday at a breakfast attended by about 150 advocates championing progressive initiatives like reforms in criminal justice, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

Her team believes that’s exactly what Harris is doing. Before the convention, Harris unveiled an economic platform focused on urgent issues for voters: affordable housing, high living costs, and credit access for families with children.

“This is a pivotal time for a new leader who is attuned to the struggles of many Americans and can relate to diverse experiences,” stated Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, president of NextGen America, a progressive advocacy group.

While Harris is the prominent candidate, the enthusiasm from voters for this historic nomination was evident at the convention.

“As a woman of color, this means everything to me,” expressed Angela Evans, 48, a delegate from Lexington, Kentucky, regarding Harris’s position at the forefront of the ticket.

Evans, who continues a legacy set by her mother 40 years ago as a delegate, believes Harris’s diverse background and experiences allow her to create her own path in line with the administration’s agenda.

“I’m excited for her to carry it forward while offering her unique perspective as a prosecutor, as a woman, and as a woman of color,” Evans said. “She brings distinct qualities to the table that she should showcase.”

Perez highlighted how the vice president is building on Biden’s policies, citing her initiative to combat “greedification” with a proposed federal ban on food and grocery price gouging, alongside plans to enhance the child tax credit.

“She is not afraid to challenge powerful interests,” he added, referencing Harris’s background as an attorney general.

‘Her record is Joe Biden’s record’

Nevertheless, Harris remains aligned with a platform that mirrors her current collaborator, Biden.

“She is campaigning based on her achievements. Her accomplishments are intertwined with Joe Biden’s,” noted Timmaraju.

Harris has been a “true partner” to Biden, as pointed out by Perez, referencing her decisive votes on significant legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan in her role as Senate president.

Perez explained that her close working relationship with Biden positions her well for a potential presidency, as she is often the last person he consults before making major decisions.

“He kept his promise,” Perez remarked. “She has been a reliable partner and is proven in her capabilities.”

Ultimately, any policies that Harris hopes to implement will be contingent on the composition of Congress, according to Timmaraju. For instance, successfully signing abortion rights legislation would be one of Harris’ most significant achievements, but this hinges on Democrats maintaining control of the Senate.

“If she doesn’t secure a strong Democratic majority in Congress, many initiatives in the party platform, including codifying federal abortion rights, may not be achievable,” Timmaraju warned.

Democrats are particularly concerned about retaining two crucial Senate seats that could sway the balance, those of incumbents Jon Tester in Montana and Sherrod Brown in Ohio, neither of whom intended to be present at the convention where Harris is scheduled to accept her presidential nomination speech on Thursday.

Additionally, there’s the challenge of a shortened campaign timeline.

Rohini Kosoglu, a former senior advisor to Harris, remarked at a Bloomberg panel on Wednesday that the compressed campaign period could prevent Harris from articulating detailed strategies for pressing matters like paid leave and Black maternal health. These are critical issues that she championed during her time in the Biden administration, yet may not be the focal points for most voters in the upcoming months.

Harris needs to effectively communicate her priorities to the electorate, she emphasized, while also delineating her opponent’s stance.

“The concerns regarding what voters wish to learn about her career, her tenure as vice president, and her future actions might differ from traditional, extensive campaigns,” she explained, which usually involve “large organizations” for support.

Nevertheless, supporters are confident that Harris can “imprint her own vision” on the agenda established during the Biden administration, according to Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

“She is exceptionally qualified and adept at addressing issues like reproductive rights, housing, and others,”

“She has remarkable qualifications and a strong commitment to voting rights,” Jayapal expressed.

She mentioned that Democrats were very close to enacting legislation that included paid leave, child care, and extended leave following the last presidential election. While this legislation succeeded in the House, it did not pass in the Senate due to a lack of sufficient votes from Democrats.

Jayapal noted that Harris recognizes the significance of advancing legislation that includes these policies for the Democratic Party.

“We are prepared to push these initiatives through swiftly,” Jayapal added.

‘She’s one of us.’

When Biden assumed office, he leaned significantly on his male senatorial colleagues to help secure legislative victories.

Female lawmakers who served alongside Harris, a former Senator from California, will form the core of her administration.

“She’s one of us. She understands how the institution operates and will assist us in achieving and passing legislation that will benefit her administration,” stated Duckworth.

At the time Biden began his Senate career in 1973 representing Delaware, there were no women senators.

Currently, women make up a quarter of the Senate. Harris has welcomed them into her home, and several Democratic senators are part of her close circle.

These connections will aid her in prioritizing reproductive rights, according to Timmaraju. While the president has shown support, “Harris is much more experienced and knowledgeable, and alongside the women senators, she will bring about transformative change.”