Biden endorses Kamala Harris: What to know about her presidential bid

• Some advisers worry the VP's record may not outweigh her years-long battle with public image and low favorability ratings.

What they're saying: Democratic strategist Basil Smikle sees Harris as the clear option to succeed Biden, saying that despite scrutiny she's faced throughout her tenure, Democrats can feel confident "the party's infrastructure, including donors, would be around her."

• Smikle, speaking before Biden's withdrawal, opposed arguments that other Democrats may be better suited to assume the candidacy, saying, "This is not an opportunity for white men to assert themselves over a Black woman who's the sitting vice president."
• "Where do you think you're going to get Black votes from this year and four years from now?" he asked.

Catch up quick: Harris ended her bid for the 2020 Democratic nomination after falling behind in the polls.

• Despite her early exit, she was always at the top of Biden's VP list.

Flashback: "I need someone who understands that we are in a battle for the soul of this nation," Biden said when announcing her as his pick. "We need to come together and unite for a better America. Kamala gets that."

• He noted his late son Beau Biden knew and had "enormous respect" for Harris when they both served as attorneys general.

Zoom out: Harris has struggled to strike a balance between her role in the administration and public image, demonstrated by sagging favorability ratings.

• In a June 2023 NBC News poll, 49% of registered voters reported a negative view of Harris, compared to 32% with a positive view — the lowest net-negative for a vice president recorded in the history of the poll.
• Smikle noted that many strategists felt Harris was "underutilized" early in the administration when her voice and background could have spoken to the country's changing demographics and demands.
• Criticism of Harris started to build after some shaky media appearances soon after she became VP.

Context: Joel Goldstein, a historian who extensively studied the office of the vice presidency, said entering the White House amid the COVID-19 pandemic affected her ability to conduct the public role of the second in command.

• Her "schedule was held hostage" by a starkly divided Senate over which she presided, breaking a record number of tied votes, Goldstein added, speaking before Biden's decision to bow out.
• And unlike most of her modern predecessors who served under comparative D.C. outsiders, she entered an extremely experienced West Wing led by the oldest president in history — prompting speculation of her 2024 run before the administration even began.

Yes, but: "She's taken on ... presidential-level assignments in her global work," Goldstein said.

• Harris was appointed by Biden to lead aspects of the administration's immigration response, focusing on the root reasons driving migration from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
• Last year, the White House announced Harris had facilitated more than $4.2 billion in private sector commitments to "support economic opportunity in the region."
• But as a political and humanitarian crisis persisted at the border, Harris' team tried to distance her diplomatic responsibilities addressing structural factors that drive immigration from the Northern Triangle countries. She became the target of conservative ire and blame and was described as a failed "border czar."

Harris increased her travel engagements as election season heated up, helping ease Democratic concerns about her public image.

• She became a leading voice on politically potent 2024 campaign issues, such as abortion rights, lowering prescription drug costs, securing financing for African American entrepreneurs and promoting gun reform.
• "She's been a far more effective spokesperson for the administration than she ever has been, and I think that's a wonderful thing," Smikle said.

What's next: Harris will not automatically pick up Biden's delegates, meaning her road ahead has to focus on accumulating a majority at the DNC.

• Access to the millions of dollars held in the Biden-Harris war chest — over $91 million as of June — could easily be given to Harris, but not to any other potential candidate.

Go deeper: "The Joe Biden I know": Harris delivers fiery defense of Biden