Kamala Harris faces critical challenges in her role as vice president heading into 2024.

Kamala Harris's recent intervention at a political rally has reignited the debate over her role as vice president and her positioning in the 2024 electoral race. At 59 years old, Harris presented herself to the public with the intention of reaffirming her commitment to being the president of all Americans, warning about the dangers posed by a potential victory of former president Donald Trump, whom she did not hesitate to label as "not serious." However, her speech has been met with criticism pointing to her lack of presence and impact as a political figure during her time in office. Arlene Ramírez Uresti, an academic at the Ibero-American University of Mexico and a columnist for "Forbes," analyzes the challenges Harris faces at this crucial moment in the campaign. "Harris must win back those voters who supported Biden in the last election," Uresti notes. The vice president faces the challenge of presenting a clear strategy that can convince undecided voters that she is a viable option against Trump, who has been in the spotlight for months and has articulated his campaign with a solid narrative. At a time when political division is palpable, Harris dedicated a significant part of her speech to criticizing Trump, which can be interpreted as an attempt to connect with those voters who have not yet made a decision. Uresti argues that this approach aims to capture the votes of those who previously supported the current president but emphasizes that "she does not have that support guaranteed." The pressure on the vice president increases, especially when considering that she must compete against a Trump who has managed to consolidate his image and support within the Republican base. Harris also addressed sensitive topics, such as drug trafficking and the situation in Gaza, attempting to align herself with the conversation initiated by Trump. However, this could prove risky for her, as these issues are complex and elicit different reactions among voters. The academic clarifies that the vice president's strategy must be well thought out, as addressing issues like abortion can be uncomfortable and polarizing in the current political context. One of Harris's biggest challenges is visibility. Throughout her term, her figure has been perceived as "practically invisible," leading to questions about her ability to lead. The academic emphasizes that, despite a strong speech in her recent appearance, "it will depend on her ability to consistently show up in the coming months." The pressure on her lies not only in being a strong and clear voice but also in presenting herself as a leader capable of connecting with diverse communities and addressing their concerns. In her speech, Harris tried to connect with the middle class, leveraging her own personal story. However, this part was criticized by some analysts who saw inconsistency in her message, given that the Biden administration has faced significant challenges in terms of housing and economic well-being. Uresti comments that "talking about a middle class that has been stripped of its homes during her administration is a significant misunderstanding of the country's reality." This kind of disconnection could cost her critical support from an electorate facing economic difficulties. Recent polls suggest that Harris has a slight advantage over Trump, although there is skepticism about her reliability. Uresti warns that it is important not to rely solely on these numbers, as "the real thermometer will be Kamala Harris's response on the ground." The true test of her leadership and popularity will be through her direct interaction with the public, a facet that has been notably scarce so far. A topic that has further polarized the discussion among Democrats is the war in Gaza, on which Harris attempted to adopt a more neutral stance. However, her approach has been criticized for not aligning with the official narrative of support for Israel. Uresti highlights that the lack of good management of foreign policy, which Harris has demonstrated in her career, could be a weak point that her opponents will exploit. Trump, for his part, has not lagged behind and has responded almost in real-time to Harris's intervention, using derogatory language and questioning her effectiveness. This highlights the direct and aggressive style that the former president employs in his campaign, a style that resonates particularly well with his supporters. In an environment where the Biden administration is perceived as one of the worst in recent history, the challenge for Harris will be monumental. In conclusion, Kamala Harris finds herself at a crucial crossroads for her political career. She must not only present herself as a strong and effective leader but also overcome the negative perception that many Americans have of her current performance. The electoral race is underway, and time is of the essence; how she navigates these challenges will determine not only her political future but also the direction of the Democratic Party in the upcoming elections.