Former CNN Analyst Says Dems Forced To Pick Harris Because She’s A ‘Black Woman’

A former CNN analyst claimed on Friday that Democrats would not have selected Kamala Harris “in a vacuum” but were forced to do so because of her skin color, gender, and her status as vice president.

Harris is running as the presumptive nominee based on support from party insiders, despite having little support from primary voters. Chris Cillizza mentioned on his YouTube channel that, given the circumstances and the limited time before the Democratic National Convention following President Joe Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the race, Democrats might have chosen a different nominee if not for who Harris is.

“I think you need to win the Midwest and Pennsylvania to get elected president if you’re a Democrat. And I think Harris is, at best, an even money bet to win those states,” Cillizza said. “I think she probably has as much a chance as pre-debate Biden. So she can win, but it’s no lock … But the realities of the way the Democratic Party works, the vice president of the United States, who is a black woman, is not going to be the nominee.”

“In a situation like this, in a situation where it’s like the president says he’s not running again, the convention is in a month, they have to pick really fast, she’s going to win,” he continued. “Even if it was an open convention, which it’s not really going to be … she would’ve won anyway. But is she the best candidate in a vacuum if the Democrats could pick anyone with no repercussions? No, she is not.”

Cillizza responded to a viewer’s question about whether a ticket with two Rust Belt governors would be better than having Harris as the vice president. He stated that Harris has “limited experience,” a “far-left voting record,” and “border crisis baggage.” The former CNN analyst agreed with the viewer’s concerns and expressed his belief that Democrats would have nominated Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over Harris under normal circumstances.

WATCH:

Ex-CNN Analyst Says Dems Wouldn’t Have Picked Harris ‘In A Vacuum’ But Had To Because She’s ‘Black Woman’ VP pic.twitter.com/HexCVTQX6b

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 26, 2024

According to border security hawks who spoke to the Daily Caller, a Harris presidency might lead to an escalation of the border crisis. Her Senate voting history, her remarks regarding the federal immigration agencies, and her behavior as the vice president indicate a significant shift towards the progressive side.

Liberal Wisconsin voters participating in an MSNBC segment that aired on Thursday expressed their disapproval of the process that led to Harris becoming the de facto Democratic nominee, but they stated their intention to vote for her in the November election.

“I think by trying to clear the field and ensure that it was going to be Biden and… not allow us to have an actual democratic primary process — I’m not saying I think Kamala Harris is going to lose, but I do think that we would have been benefited significantly if he had figured this out far sooner so there could have actually been more time to have an internal debate, have internal democracy within the party,” one male voter told the network.

That said, a Democrat candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania has leveled a serious accusation against Shapiro, who has been rising on Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist of potential running mates.

Treasurer nominee Erin McClelland “appeared to accuse Shapiro of sexism and covering up sexual harassment,” going on to “imply he wouldn’t be satisfied playing second fiddle” to Harris, the New York Post reported, quoting a tweet she posted on Tuesday evening.

“I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug. I want someone that can speak to rural voters,” she wrote, endorsing North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The New York Post added: “McClelland noted she did not mention Shapiro’s name directly in her tweet but told The Post her concerns about the extent of the governor’s presidential ambitions should he be added to the ticket.”