In the early days of her vice presidency, Kamala Harris found herself navigating a challenging landscape. Amidst a flurry of conservative media critiques that scrutinized her laughter, she began to question whether she should laugh or showcase her sense of humor at all. This internal struggle was shared with a few close confidants, who reassured her that maintaining her joyful spirit was essential. Despite their encouragement, Ms. Harris approached her public appearances with caution, embarking on a series of tightly controlled engagements.
During this period, she placed a strong emphasis on critical issues such as abortion rights and sought to enhance her foreign policy expertise. Her emotionally resonant trips were meticulously planned to help sculpt her public image. Yet, even as she focused on these serious matters, her inherent joy and laughter remained an integral part of who she is.
Recently, this sense of joy has emerged as a cornerstone of her campaign strategy. At a campaign event with autoworkers in Wayne, Michigan, she articulated her philosophy: “The thing we like about hard work is we have fun doing hard work,” she declared. “Because we know what we stand for. When you know what you stand for, you know what you fight for.”
Her newly appointed running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, has taken to the campaign trail with a unique approach. He often improvises his compliments towards Ms. Harris, aiming to contrast the joyful vision they share with what he describes as the bleak outlook presented by former President Donald J. Trump and other Republican figures.
“The one thing I will not forgive them for is they try to steal the joy from this country,” Mr. Walz emphasized during an event in Detroit. His warmth and affable demeanor have made him a figure of positivity on the campaign trail. “But you know what? Our next president brings the joy. She emanates the joy.”
