To the editor: Vice President Kamala Harris needs to win a Democratic “mini-primary” to give her presidential campaign credibility. (“Democratic hopes now rest on Kamala Harris. Can the prosecutor beat the convict?” column, July 21)
As things stand now, former President Trump is going to claim that she has been anointed by the elites who run the Democratic Party and that she is no different than President Biden, which will allow him to attack her in exactly the same way he has been attacking Biden.
Harris needs to be perceived as someone who “won” the nomination, rather than someone who had it handed to her. Going through the mini-primary process will give her the opportunity to articulate her own vision for the next four years, distinct from the last four years of Biden’s presidency.
And the mini-primary process will be exciting, engaging the American people and making them interested in the outcome, and giving the eventual candidate, whether Harris or someone else, momentum heading into the actual campaign.
Steven Renick, Los Alamitos
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To the editor: The game continues, now that Harris has received Biden's endorsement.
Would the media stop focusing on Trump’s every disgusting action and statement and instead compare the candidates’ policies, their stances on climate change and their defense of democracy, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and the Constitution?
Biden's letter announcing the decision is the work of a great man who is willing to look beyond his own ego for the good of the country. He is a true patriot who honors the presidency.
Jean Toh, Newport Beach
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To the editor: With all the division in the United States, this seems like the ideal time for a joint candidacy. Perhaps Harris and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) are the solution.
Howard Cohl, Los Angeles
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To the editor: I've been a Biden supporter for a long time. He's done a great job these past few years.
Who should replace him as the candidate? Unfortunately, I don't think Harris is the one to defeat Trump. She's very smart and very capable, but I don't think the country (and more specifically the key states) are ready for her to be president.
I really like Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). He's a moderate Democrat, strong on border issues, a retired Navy officer and astronaut. He comes from one of the swing states. I think he's a strong contender for reelection across the country.
I am confident that the country will be able to rally behind him and defeat Trump in November.
Mike Reardon, Fallbrook
