I think Democrats going for Kamala Harris would just be them once again showing they have learned absolutely nothing since Obama. As far as I'm aware, she is not exactly popular, has minimal presence and would largely be relying on simply not being Trump to win rather than any real appeal of her own.
Democrats need a proper leadership contest and get someone who can actually enthuse the undecided rather than banking entirely on the not-Trump vote. The Democrats current strategy of just putting whoever was close to the previous president up as the new candidate is just not getting anyone enthused at all.
From what I can tell, there are 3 principal and 2 secondary reasons for going with Harris.
Money - American politics is influenced by money to a degree that they would call outright corruption anywhere else, and that money has been donated to the Burden campaign. As part of that campaign, that money is available to Biden or Harris, and no-one else.
Circular firing squad - American primaries are vicious dog fights. The left does love to tear itself apart, and has been doing so semi-publicly for a couple of weeks. Spending another month doing so in full publicity, with everyone off the leash is a really, really stupid idea, especially when the other guys are busy rallying around and proclaiming their god-emporer.
Black female - as mentioned, representation matters. Not so much on an n=1 level, but on an n=millions level. Also, not for anyone politically switched on and thoughtful of where to vote, but for the undecideds (in swing states) who will actually decide these things. Also worth noting that presidential elections are nothing whatsoever to do with policy or competence, and everything to do with image and dollars.
Name recognition - her name recognition isnt great, especially for a serving VP, but it's a hell of a lot better than any of the other candidates.
Next in line - it sucks, but the party "establishment" and party loyalists alwyas like to hand on to whoevers turn it is next.
ETA: Oh, I guess that there's a tertiary reason too.
Glass canon - Candidates who want a proper shot at the presidency, don't really want to go up against the cult of Trump, especially with all of the handicaps above. They'll probably fight to the death to be the VP pick and garner name recognition for 2028, but many will see this race as virtually unwinnable - or at least, too high a risk of sacrificing their political future. If you're not Trump, you don't get to go again if you lose.
www.theguardian.com
