How News Outlets on the Left and Right Are Covering Kamala Harris

Since President Biden’s poor debate performance last month, many news outlets have pondered who could supplant him on the Democratic ticket if he were to step aside.

Media organizations across the political spectrum have pointed to Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential replacement — although a risky one. How they have made that argument, though, has varied.

Many liberal news outlets have been hesitant to anoint a potential successor. But as they discuss the possible outcomes, some have started playing up Ms. Harris’s perceived strengths compared with Mr. Biden’s. Others have voiced skepticism about her ability to defeat former President Donald J. Trump in November, fearing that some people might be reluctant to vote for a woman of color.

Conservative publications have stepped up their criticisms of Ms. Harris, admonishing her record as vice president as well as making racist attacks, claiming she would be a disaster for the country if elected.

Here’s how a selection of outlets have covered Ms. Harris.

FROM THE LEFT

Slate

Since Mr. Biden’s poor debate performance on June 27, many Democrats have raised the possibility that Ms. Harris could be better suited to defeating Mr. Trump. Yet a longstanding concern remains among some Democrats: that many voters would not consider casting a ballot for Ms. Harris because she is a woman who is Black and Asian American.