Democrats Aren’t Sure Which Kamala Harris They’re Going to Get

Kamala Harris’ sudden ascension to Democratic presidential nominee has energized the party faithful. It’s also stoked quiet anxiety among Democrats across the ideological spectrum about what she would do if elected president—a feeling that’s particularly acute among progressives, who aren’t certain she’ll support their economic agenda the way Joe Biden has.

Harris is a much stronger candidate than Biden: On that, everyone agrees. But beyond beating Donald Trump, her priorities are unusually opaque. Harris is unique among recent major-party presidential nominees in that she didn’t participate in the primary process and thus avoided the gauntlet of debates, interviews, press scrutiny and factional pressures that typically produce a clear picture of a nominee’s top priorities and agenda. Instead, Harris is getting a free pass. That’s because Democrats’ desire to beat Trump is so strong that almost everyone is lining up behind her, despite whatever private concerns they have.