Essential Politics: Kamala Harris is taking on the migration issue, but staying away from the border

Very low reward,” is how one former Harris advisor characterized her new assignment. “This is a challenging situation.” Sanders, asked by reporters when Harris would travel to the border, said she had no trips “planned in the near term.” “I will just reiterate that the vice president is not doing the border,” she said a few minutes later, trying again to make the distinction with Harris’ diplomatic duties. “I don’t think Republicans are going to let people make that distinction,” said Jose Dante Parra, a former advisor to Senate Democratic leaders who advises immigration advocacy groups. “They’re going to keep messaging that she’s in charge of the border situation.” Parra, who is based in Florida, noted that Republicans are also spreading their message in Spanish-language media, reflecting the party’s belief that it can win over some Latinos with restrictionist immigration arguments — as former President Trump did in carrying Florida and Texas in last year’s presidential election. “A leader seizing control of any crisis comes with political risk,” the former advisor said, “but that’s the job they signed up for.” The view from Washington — Mike Pence 2024?