As events developed since that debate, starting with his bounce-back from the results of the South Carolina primary, it became increasingly likely that the vice presidential candidate would be a woman of color. Indeed, Senator Amy Klobuchar, a frequently mentioned possibility, withdrew from consideration stating that she believed the times called for a qualified woman of color.

It is not uncommon for either political party to select a running mate that balances or complements the top of the ticket in some way, be that geography, religion, or other germane factor.

Senator Harris, in my view,is very well-qualified and offers complementarity. She worked her way up through local elected office and  has been elected to state-wide office as Attorney General, and then, to the US Senate. from California our biggest state.  And, she has some national campaign experience as a presidential primary contender.

It is true that as an elected prosecutor, she prosecuted. But, she did indicate that she would never seek the death penalty--which she upheld, under pressure to do so, in the case of the killing of a police officer.

She is overall, a progressive. The senator is in favor of federal de-scheduling of cannabis, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the Dream Act, tax reform, a ban on assault weapons, and single payer health care (although her Medicare for All primary proposal was disappointing in timing and method, but probably closer to Biden).

Senator Harris is a graduate of Howard University, a HBCU, and the University of California Hastings College of Law.

These are no ordinary times. The democracy is at stake. The vice president needs to be supportive of the president's goals and be ready, if necessary, to assume leadership for the country. I believe a Biden/Harris ticket will be a strong one for the Democratic Party and the country.