Call me Kamala: Why Harris prefers her first name in fight against Trump

At her first rally last month as the likely Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris was welcomed by supporters chanting “Kamala, Kamala” and not “Harris, Harris”, and holding blue and white ‘KAMALA’ signs. The shift from ‘Harris’ to ‘Kamala’ in the branding of the Democratic presidential candidate was intentional. The Democratic Party campaign quickly rebranded its social media from ‘Biden HQ’ to ‘Kamala HQ’ within 48 hours after President Joe Biden exited the White House race and endorsed Harris, making her the Democratic presidential candidate. The name Kamala is a cultural and ethnic name given to her by her mother.

The US Vice President has embraced her first name, Kamala, in her presidential campaign to foster a personal connection with voters. By shifting from ‘Harris’ to ‘Kamala’ and branding her campaign’s social media, she aims to present herself as approachable and relatable.

After Biden stepped out of the presidential race, his rapid response page on X, BidenHQ, was changed to Kamala HQ. It is now the official rapid response page for Vice-President Harris’s presidential campaign.

When Barack and Michelle Obama endorsed her, the campaign promoted it as “The Obamas call Kamala”, and a selfie with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, featured a sign reading “Kamala and the coach”, according to a Politico report.

The US presidential election is set for November 5, and Kamala is gaining popularity among voters against Donald Trump.

Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice-President — the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected to this position. She is an Indian-American politician.

HARRIS’S CAMPAIGN RECLAIMING ‘KAMALA’ AS FIRST NAME

Harris’ campaign has embraced her first name to foster a more personal connection with voters.

This move, however, has sparked debate.

For her detractors, using her first name is often seen as a tactic to belittle her, a trend seen in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump, who mispronounces Kamala Harris’s name and often uses race and gender-based tactics, frequently calls her “crazy Kamala”.

Many Republicans have used this term for years.

In 2020, Democrats were outraged when David Perdue mocked her name during the Georgia Senate race, reported the Politico.

Despite these attacks, Harris’ campaign strategy involves reclaiming her first name.

“She’s not hiding her ethnicity. She’s not hiding who she is. She was first a public servant,” Lateefah Simon, who worked with Harris was quoted as saying by Politico.

Harris’ use of her first name is also seen as a way to be more relatable and informal with voters.

HARRIS’S ALLY DEFENDS USE OF HER FIRST NAME

People who have known her for a long time, like Simon, say that it’s a way for her to send a message that she’s working for the people and that they should hold her accountable.

“Kamala’s name has depth of meaning. It is an ethnic and cultural name given by her mother. Black people are more than our last names. Our last names don’t often tell the story of where we’re from and who we are,” Simon explained.

The Harris campaign strikes a balance in its branding.

Official communications refer to her as Vice-President Harris, while her personal interactions and campaign materials often use “Kamala”.

This approach mirrors her previous roles, where she used her first name to build trust with constituents, particularly in communities of colour.

Leah Daughtry, a longtime Harris ally and Democratic operative, highlighted the significance of using her first name against efforts to demean her.

“It is a microaggression and a disrespect because you are refusing to call her by the name that her mama gave her, and that she chooses to be called. In that way, you are dismissing her, you are demeaning her, you are diminishing her and her own agency. It’s just disrespectful. But for her it’s — this is what my name is, call me by my name,” Daughtry said, reported the Politico.

KAMALA HARRIS GAINING POPULARITY AMONG YOUNG VOTERS

Harris’ approach has resonated especially with young voters. She’s seen a huge jump in support — 16 points — among this group since last month, reported Politico.

“My nephew, he’s 19. This will be his first presidential election and he’s like, ‘Kamala, she’s really cool.’ Part of the coolness is that there’s not this big title they feel like they have to call her. He can identify with her,” Daughtry added.

Harris’s first-name strategy reflects her long-standing efforts to connect personally with the public.

During her tenure as district attorney, she would personally reach out to victims’ families and meet community members who specifically requested her.

This personal touch was aimed at building trust in government, especially in communities with historically low trust levels.

As Harris continues her presidential campaign, her use of “Kamala” serves as a powerful tool to signal authenticity, relatability, and a break from traditional political norms.