Just as some Democrats think they are starting to see a path to keeping control of Congress in November, Vice President Kamala Harris is re-entering the public view with some new woke-speak.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Harris praised NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to facilitate a return to the moon in a historical way: by landing the first woman and person of color on the moon.
“I’m so proud of what is happening in terms of our space program and the leadership that the United States is providing to the world,” the vice president said.
She added, “The Artemis program is the beginning of the next era of what we have a history and a tradition of doing, of providing vision and inspiring innovation in a way that is going to benefit all mankind and womankind.”
Watch the video below:
KAMALA: "The Artemis program is the beginning of the next era of what we have a history and a tradition of doing, of providing vision and inspiring innovation in a way that is going to benefit all mankind and womankind." pic.twitter.com/dEYvGBJAWQ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 29, 2022
This is yet another strange attempt to appease a certain subsection of the liberal base that leans into identity politics. For most of recent history, the phrase “mankind” has been understood to represent all people. But recently, politicians have felt the need to avoid using gendered words.
In 2020, the United Nations tweeted, “What you say matters.”
“Help create a more equal world by using gender-neutral language if you’re unsure about someone’s gender or are referring to a group,” it added.
Specifically, it recommended using “humankind” instead of “mankind.”
What you say matters.
— United Nations (@UN) May 18, 2020
Help create a more equal world by using gender-neutral language if you're unsure about someone's gender or are referring to a group. https://t.co/QQRFPY4VRn #GenerationEquality via@UN_Women pic.twitter.com/koxoAZZuxq
Yes, that’s a real tweet from the UN — as if we can’t tell that when someone says something like “all of mankind,” they’re not solely referring to men.
But back to Harris, who went against the suggestion of the United Nations and used “womankind.” How unfair it is to nonbinary people. Apparently, Artemis will only benefit men and women and not those who do not identify as either gender. They will be left behind to languish in the Stone Age. What bigots we have in our space agency.
All sarcasm aside, Harris and Biden’s re-emergence into the public spotlight should terrify Democrats who were apparently starting to feel a little optimistic about November.
Polls appear to show Democratic Congressional candidates’ prospects improving. Meanwhile, the president’s approval rating is starting to tick back up.
There are a couple of factors at play here. One is that much of August has been nominated by news about the raid of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and Republicans flocking to his defense, sparking even more 2024 speculation.
At the same time, Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, inflation in July showed signs of easing, and gas prices decreased. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade does appear to be energizing Democrat voters to turn out and vote to protect abortion access.
And amid all of that, Biden and Harris essentially disappeared from public view. Americans weren’t bombarded with clips of Biden falling off his bike or appearing to struggle through sentences. And gone from the headlines are stories about aides having to walk back apparent policy shifts and questions about his age. Harris has also not delivered bizarre responses to questions that went viral lately.
The focus on Trump and fringe Republican candidates instead of the current administration appears to be doing wonders for the Democrats.
But if Biden and Harris emerge from their August break from the public view and start delivering gaffes and awkward moments that re-center the headlines, and if gas prices start going up, Americans might just remember why they had such an unfavorable view of the administration — and that could hurt Democrats in the midterms.