The Clinton factor

Kamala Harris is battling a double whammy of racism and sexism in her presidential quest.

- MARC WILSON

Haven't the past few weeks been a bit of a frenzy in American politics? In March, President Joe Biden gave a State of the Union speech that showed he could be vigorous and feisty, and now... he's out. Meanwhile, Republican sycophants took to their convention wearing pretend plasters on their ears in adulation for their nominee, Donald Trump, who had almost literally dodged a bullet.

Right now, it looks like the 2024 match will be between former president Trump and vice-president Kamala Harris.

Biden's anointing of Harris saw an unco-ordinated Republican frenzy of accusations and recriminations. Republican Representative Tim Burchett, was among the earliest to call out Harris as a "DEI hire". DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, and Burchett and other Republicans taking this line are saying Harris is where she is only because of her gender and skin colour. Burchett subsequently stated his regret for the statement, before adding, "But it was the truth."

Senior Republican leadership have tried to crack down on this line of attack because, well, it looks childish.