As part of his new TVNZ+ documentary The Rise of Kamala Harris, US correspondent Logan Church talks to top Democrats and long-time friends of Kamala Harris ahead of next week’s presidential debate.
The word 'unprecedented' is used far too much in journalism, but I struggle to find an alternative to describe what’s happening in the United States Democratic party.
Never has a sitting president, who was running for re-election, drop out of the race months before the election date, to be replaced by his deputy – a woman of colour – who has since turned around the fortunes of the Democratic party so fast the election could very well swing in their favour.
Pundits on all sides of the political spectrum have been shocked at this
"In US politics the Democratic party is not particularly known as being quick, nimble or decisive, but that's what has happened over the past two months,” said Regina Bateson, a political scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“There really was a sea change - very quickly she raised hundreds of millions of dollars in days. She was able to corral the entire Democratic party behind her and her candidacy very quickly.”
One top Democrat who has known Harris for decades is Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis.
Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis (Source: 1News)
I spoke to her exclusively in my new documentary, The Rise of Kamala Harris, which explores the rise of Harris from state politician to global leader.
“As our prosecutor, she was our chief law enforcement officer in the state of California
"She both recognised that historically there have been wrongs in our system that had led to many African American and Hispanic people being put in jail for very long terms and recognised that need for reform, while at the same time, always ensuring that law enforcement was doing everything possible to keep communities safe.
"Deal with transnational crime, organised crime, trafficking in persons and all of these challenges that intersect internationally,” she said.
I asked her what she believed was on the line this election.
Kamala Harris at a rally (Source: Getty)
“Everything is at stake,” said Kounalakis.
“The future of the country is at stake. We have a vice president who, if she becomes president, will lead our country forward, who will honour our democracy, respect, rule of law and care for her constituents versus.”
She said that contrasted with what former President Trump promised, which she believed consisted of “his negative vision, his rhetoric around American carnage and bloodbaths, and what a terrible country we are”.
“It's a vision of the future which is optimistic and hopeful versus going back to some very dark notions of what this country should be.”
Watch the full documentary on TVNZ+ here.
Logan Church's documentary on Donald Trump and his 'MAGA' movement can be seen here.
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