What is so special about the new Democratic ticket?

4 questions.

Mike Allen of Axios described a stress test for Harris amid "the growing risk of twin calamities — recession and regional war in the Middle East." I offer an initial set of four questions and areas to be answered by the new ticket and campaign.

1. The Middle East: With the Middle East on the verge of an expanded war, what messages and policy decisions can Harris deliver as a sitting VP and simultaneously as the presidential nominee? Will the new ticket provide strength and guidance within our country and globally? How will Harris address a perceived confidence gap in international experience? Will she acknowledge this gap and surround herself, both publicly and privately, with military and international expertise?

2. Economy: How will Harris, as VP and concurrently as a presidential candidate, address current recession fears, convince Americans that Biden/Harris economic policies are beneficial despite individual economic insecurities, and provide a clear and inspirational vision for her economic policies? What will her leadership team on the economy look like? Will Walz play a leading role, or should Harris release a list of her senior economic advisors in the coming weeks?

3. Global Leadership: Will the Democratic ticket be the best choice for our country and the world? This involves more than just securing 50% + 1 of the electoral votes. It’s not as simple as winning a debate or counting Olympic medals. Harris/Walz must be exceptionally transparent about their team of formal and informal advisors on issues like the Middle East, Ukraine, China, authoritarianism, and immigration.

4. Immigration: What vision and message will the Democratic ticket provide on immigration moving forward? Harris needs to present surrogates and senior advisors who demonstrate knowledge and a reasonable policy direction. Criticism of Trump and the US House’s failure to consider the Senate immigration bill may suffice for the next 99 days.

4A. Will the Democratic ticket address a polarized America and promote common ground? Obama and others have condemned the current polarized atmosphere. The alternative is to stop trying. Will the Democratic ticket reach out to all Americans, even those who may not vote for them?

In each of these areas, how will Harris/Walz meet the challenge of supporting the current administration’s efforts domestically and globally while concurrently campaigning as the presidential nominee? Will Harris learn from Gore’s campaign as a sitting VP and presidential candidate?

I do have 4 other areas I am working on– children and families; civil and human rights; climate change and the environment; and housing/community infrastructure.