A Post-Inaugural Political Hodge-Podge – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - January 24, 2021

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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Vice President Kamala Harris

What a weird, wacky week in the world of politics. Inaugural Week is usually full of drama and theatrics and this week did not disappoint. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“Jeers to President Trump” – It is an American tradition to attend your successor’s inaugural, or in some cases a defeated opponent attends. It must be hard, but it’s a symbolic tip of the hat to our tradition of a peaceful transition of power. It must have broken Gerald Ford’s heart to watch Jimmy Carter being sworn in in 1977, and the same for Carter in 1981 when Ronald Reagan won. But they manned-up and showed up. Richard Nixon did not attend Gerald Ford’s swearing-in in 1974, so as not to be a distraction. Given Nixon’s sudden resignation, that was probably best.

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“To Divide is to Divide; Not Divide and Conquer” – I waited all last week for Trump to address the nation from the Oval Office for a final address. It never came. I hoped he’d have a last-minute change of heart and attend Biden’s inauguration. It didn’t happen either. I thought there might be a message of good will and good wishes to the new administration, but it never came.

 

“Cheers to Vice President Pence” – On the other hand, kudos to now former Vice President Mike Pence. First Pence made a very gracious call to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris offering his congratulations and assistance. Then he flew here to Charleston, West Virginia to give a heartfelt and stirring eulogy to the late West Virginia native and national hero, Brig. Gen Chuck Yeager.  I was proud of Pence. I am only three weeks older than him, and we both have children in the U.S. Military right now. He could have just taken his last week off. And finally, he attended the Biden-Harris Inaugural. Whether you like the man’s politics or not, he’s a class act.

 

“Facebook Frenzy” – I’ve known Kamala Harris since 2003. We are not friends, but rather professional acquaintances. We like each other, have had cordial interactions, and in the world of politics those kinds of relationships matter, because you get access. Since she moved up the political food chain and I moved back to the East Coast in 2010, it’s been a while since we’ve talked. But I posted a photo of her swearing in on Facebook, and it launched a firestorm.

 

“What I Said” – This is my original post on Facebook on January 20, 2021: “I first met Kamala Harris when she ran for San Francisco District Attorney in 2003 and I was a political reporter at KTVU. Whether you supported or voted for her or not does not matter! What she accomplished today is a testimony to the greatness of this nation and its possibilities. Some days I get to cover news; some days I get to cover history. Congratulations Madame Vice President!”

 

“Oh, the Blowback!” – My good conservative friend and Rhode Island attorney Michael Gardiner wrote, “It definitely contradicts the divisive 'white privilege' narrative and illustrates the true greatness and nobility of this nation.” To which I responded: “Michael, whether you agree with her politics or not, her back story is truly the classic American dream. A child of diverse immigrant parents who came here to seek a better life and opportunity. They worked and studied hard in school and both became renowned professors in cancer research and economics. Their work and academic ethos were passed on to their daughters, who also became accomplished. Call me an optimist, but the power and ever-expanding American dream is our remarkable legacy and growing - everyone has their story - my family arrived here in 1852 during the height of the Irish Potato Famine. There are so many similar stories to share. Today, Harris’s story is another - regardless of politics – that this nation is second to none in history!”

 

“So, What are the Qualifications?” – Jason Souza wrote, “That’s Laughable! She was selected for her skin color and ethnicity. Nothing more! Look at the state she governs. It’s a train wreck.” (Editor’s note: The governor, legislature and constitutional officers run the state of California, not its Congressional delegation). Another writer Jeff Miller also suggested she was only chosen because she was a woman of color.

 

“My Response and Parallel Analysis” -  “(Jeff) I both agree and disagree with your post! Yes, it’s undeniable, Biden promised to name ‘a woman of color’ as his running mate. That’s part of politics, similar to Ronald Reagan pledging to name the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court. He delivered with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor!”

 

“Politics yes, but Resumes Matter” - Politics aside, there is the resume part of the equation. Before being elected San Francisco District Attorney for two terms, Harris was a career prosecutor. Then she was elected to two terms as Attorney General of California, then the U.S. Senate. As for O’Connor, she was a State Senator in Arizona, then a Superior Court Judge and then a Judge on the State Court of Appeals. Harris received her BA from Howard University,  then her law degree at University of California Hastings College of Law. O’Connor did her BA and Law Degree at Stanford. The parallel levels of education and experience are impressive.

 

"The Bottom Line” - So my conclusion is we have two women who were very transparently picked politically because of their gender, but MORE importantly because they had the great education, the quality experience, and an impressive resume that any man would love to have. So, I view the accomplishments of these two women - one a Democratic - and the other a Republican, a GREAT American success story!  

What are your thoughts on the politics of race and gender? Add a comment below.

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Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the six Nexstar Media Stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and most of the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER columnist for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.

 

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