New York Times Staffers Believe Kamala Harris is not the Most Electable or Exciting Choice for Democratic Presidential Nominee

Despite President Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, The New York Times' columnists and writers do not view her as the most electable or exciting option. In a recent assessment, the paper's staffers ranked Harris behind nine other potential contenders in terms of electability and enthusiasm among voters.

Despite President Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, The New York Times' columnists and writers do not view her as the most electable or exciting option. In a recent assessment, the paper's staffers ranked Harris behind nine other potential contenders in terms of electability and enthusiasm among voters.

The Times asked its staffers "to give scores on two dimensions: For the first, on a scale of 0 to 10, 0 means the person would have no chance of beating Trump; 10 means he or she would crush him. For the second, 0 means the person would inspire no enthusiasm; 10 means people would love him or her."

New York Times Staffers Believe Kamala Harris is not the Most Electable or Exciting Choice for Democratic Presidential Nominee

Harris received a dismal 4.6 from the media outlet's opinion section in the "electable" category, compared to a 7 for Shapiro and 6.6 for Kelly. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear received a 6.5, while Whitmer got a 6.4. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was seen as the most "exciting," receiving an average score of 7.1 compared to 5.8 for Harris. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro were all seen as more exciting than Harris by the Times staffers, too.

New York Times Staffers Believe Kamala Harris is not the Most Electable or Exciting Choice for Democratic Presidential Nominee

Times columnist Pamela Paul wrote, "Even Biden fans see Harris as one of the weakest elements of his administration. A country desperate for change would bristle at the feeling that once again, real democratic choice is being sidelined in favor of the most deserving insider. And Harris is a fundamentally weak candidate. She fizzled out early in her first presidential run and floundered in the vice presidency."

Times columnist Ross Douthat called Harris a "mediocre politician from a deep-blue state with low national approval ratings." "She may find a way to win, but she would be nobody’s top choice were she not the top choice of the president. Relief at Biden’s exit will generate a lot of professed enthusiasm, but it will be fake," Douthat wrote. 

New York Times Staffers Believe Kamala Harris is not the Most Electable or Exciting Choice for Democratic Presidential Nominee

However, Times columnist Jamelle Bouie, one of the Times staffers most excited about Harris’ potential, believes the sitting vice president is the only "serious" option. "The party, it appears, is already falling in line. She is a stronger, more confident campaigner than you remember, and if Democrats are united behind her coming out of the convention — and the enthusiasm for her is already palpable — then she will be formidable going into the fall," Bouie wrote.