WASHINGTON, DC, Aug 25 — She made her first official trip abroad in early June when she visited Guatemala and Mexico; it was decidedly forgetful except for a gaff or two. So now, when her boss flails about trying to keep order in the wake of his failed attempt to safely extract innocent civilians and our troops from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris is off to contain forces of evil in Southeast Asia. She waved for the cameras as she boarded Air Force 2 for her trip to Singapore and Vietnam like a starlet of yesteryear off to another exotic movie location.
It was reminiscent of how she shunned the opportunity to head straight to our southern border and deal with the unprecedented surge of illegal immigrants seeking to enter the U.S., having been picked by President Biden to be his “Border Czar.” When a reporter asked her why she chose not to visit the border, she smiled and said, “and, I haven’t been to Europe.” She finally got the message and visited El Paso, TX, later in the month.
Her newest trip triggered a Twitter storm of criticism.
One of the more tasteful messages on Twitter read: “The largest airlift in American history is going down right now. Reports of Americans being attacked by the Taliban. And you post a picture of yourself waving from AF2 on your way to SE Asia.”
It’s hard to tell what she hopes to accomplish in Southeast Asia, but the Wall Street Journal may have uncovered the reason for her trip, it “will give the Biden administration an opportunity to put the focus back on countering China at a time when the U.S.’s chaotic exit from Afghanistan is raising questions about Washington’s reliability as an ally.”
The Journal’s report suggests that Ms. Harris will have to use her untested diplomatic skills to convince the governments of Singapore and Vietnam that the U.S. is a “reliable” partner and not currying favor to use them as “pawns in a great power struggle.”
But perhaps she is making the trek across the Pacific so that she can have Air Force 2 make a stop in California on her way back.
Why? So that she can campaign for Governor Gavin Newsome, who faces a recall election on September 14. Enough fed-up citizens of the progressive Golden State signed a recall petition to remove Newsome from office. The election will determine whether he stays or goes. And, if the majority fires him, they’ll have a chance to pick his successor.
It’s a challenging moment, replete with a slate of wannabe governors including some 24 Republicans, 9 Democrats, 2 Green Party candidates, one 1 Libertarian candidate, and 10 “No Party Preference” candidates.
One wonders if Ms. Harris is willing to reimburse our government for her whistle-stop in California. It would appear that she would be liable for the cost, according to Federal Election Campaign rules.