I like Kamala. She has some toughness and shrewdness.
I thought this cycle was a bit too early for her, as she hasn't been on the national scene long. So as an introduction to a young up-and-comer, this campaign was reasonably successful for her (much more so than for Cory Booker for example, who seemed mostly out of his depth).
It seemed she never found a message or theme to stick with.
Seems she tried to blend progressive and centrist concerns.
Maybe she should have staked her claim on that. That she wasn't a GOP-lite centrist, but also wasn't Far Left Socialist. Make a case that she represented the common-sense mainstream Democratic Left. Seems there was an opening there. I'm surprised nobody really rode that message. I guess Beto tried to wedge in there somewhat as well.
A good deal of the Kamala campaign post-mortem centers on the management structure of her campaign. She had her sister and campaign manager as dual centers of top authority. And since they weren't fully on the same page that didn't work well. And most naturally felt the sister was more powerful and closer to the candidate than the campaign manager. The camp-man also was the head of her polling firm, so when calls came to replace him, one concern was the serious friction with her polling. Btw, polling seems to back in a big way.
Kamala also split power centers between Cali and Baltimore, for whatever reason.
Anyway, these problems are fixable. I think mostly she presented herself well. But never had a real message or coherent strategy.
I liked when she went after Biden on busing, though she muddled things few days later. Similarly, Booker did well attacking Biden on the harsh 90's crime bill, both trying to weaken black support for Biden (and draw it to their candidacies).
Kamala needs to decide how to present her federal prosecutor career (and herself) in the future. Embrace it as a core identity? Refer to it some as her ability to be tough but fair? Focus instead on her personal story and political career (I have no idea what bills she has sponsored or committees she serves on). Often a problem for senators -- what the hell do they do or accomplish, along with the many political votes that can be sifted and denounced).
I still think Kamala could be heard form again, s a Veep for an old white male like Bidne or Bernie. Problem is Biden is already in good with blacks (not sure how he polls with women) and she attacked him in the one debate. But a young woman on the ticket would balance out Biden nicely.
Not sure who Sanders might tap.
Actually never gave it thought since I always thought his chances were rather low. Sanders seems like the type to pick someone close to his positions, so I guess Warren would be the obvious choice. He could certainly benefit from adding in youth or someone form the Midwest (Mayor Pete?), but after the heart attack, probably want someone experienced and ready to step in. A Vermont-Mass ticket would be a little odd, but perhaps geographical concerns take a backseat to all the issues and personalities involved. Personally, I'd vote for a Sanders-Krugman or Sanders-Chomsky ticket, but I guess I'd vote for a Sanders-OJSimpson ticket over Trump.
That's the long form of saying I hope Kamala is the Veep.