I hope that experienced pols like Hillary — and even relative newcomer Senator Elizabeth Warren — will work with, mentor, and groom new, younger senators like the very dynamic and promising Senator-elect Kamala Harris from California and the three women who are her fellow new senators. (I focused on Senator-elect Harris, because I am an expat who lived all of his adult life in California until retiring to Panama.)
Senator-elect Harris is the epitome of a Trump nightmare — a strong, intelligent, and beautiful woman who can run circles around him intellectually. Now she is in a position to oppose Trump and his racist, misogynistic, vengeful statements and policies publicly and forcefully. This battle will be brutal — but I think Sen. Harris will handle it. (I wonder what dumb nickname Trump will give her?)
In support of Ms. Harris, President Barack Obama in 2014 said “she is brilliant and she is dedicated and she is tough, and she is exactly what you’d want in anybody who is administering the law, and making sure that everybody is getting a fair shake,” He and VP Biden also endorsed her for U.S. Senator to replace California’s retiring Senator Barbara Boxer.
It is far too early to know Senator Harris’ strengths and weaknesses. Although she has been called a “female Obama,” she will be her own person. Even if she doesn’t have the charisma and personality to eventually be a presidential or vice-presidential candidate, I believe that she will be a force to reckon with in the U.S. Senate — and she will be attacked viciously from the outset by the right wing establishment.
I will be watching DailyKos for diaries and reporting on the dynamics and changing leadership — as well as the development of the contingent of new female rookie Senators — Kamala Harris, Tammy Duckworth, Catherine Cortez Masto and Maggie Hassan. They are all intelligent and motivated, and they will have to come up to speed quickly to help their more experienced “elders” in the Senate do battle with President Trump and the conservatives.
I truly believe that united we stand and divided we fall is an apt phrase to describe the weeks and months ahead, and wish the best to the freshmen senators.
Any of you out there have thoughts on the potential of the other three new women senators?