Kamala Harris had star quality but no hope of beating Trump

Kamala Harris was my pick of the Democratic presidential candidates. But after months of trailing in opinion polls behind the four big beasts - Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg - she had to face reality, and today she has ended her campaign to be president. She really had no choice but it is still a shame that someone of her calibre and presence and background has had to step aside.The Democratic race for the nomination was always crazy because there were far too many candidates throwing their names in the ring. She was an early star and there were moments when it looked as if she might pose a threat to the big four. But it was not to be. Perhaps in the future she will try again. Two others backed out over the weekend but neither of them had the Harris charisma: Montana Governor Steve Bullock and former Representative Joe Sestak both acknowledged that they were not attracting sufficient support to make it worthwhile to carry on. But the Democratic candidate list is still long and growing. Mike Bloomberg, former New York mayor, is already making headway with his late entry. His billions are making all the other candidates nervous. Biden is still in the lead despite his fumbles and often bizarre moments, such as when he nibbled the fingertips of his wife Jill after she made a political campaign point by sweeping her arm around to point at her husband. At home in the privacy of his family that might not look so odd but out in the open in a public place it only served to remind people that Biden was not unknown to be a touch creepily and physically over enthusiastic in the presence of women. With Kamala Harris sadly out of the race, I really don't know who to support. Not that I have a vote of course but someone charismatic, able and strong needs to be chosen to have a go at removing Trump. The way things are going Joe Biden will win the nomination by default, even though Barack Obama is reported to have told one Democratic candidate that he didn't think his former vice president was up to the job. Ouch! Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are still runners but I can't imagine either will win the nomination. Pete Buttigieg could well have a little surge because he looks and sounds so damned good. But he's lying fourth right now and will need a huge boost in popularity to push ahead of the others. If it has to be Biden, then his choice of running mate will be crucial. Step forward Kamala Harris. She has been whispered about as a possible vice presidential candidate to go with Biden but when the whispers first became headlines some months back, she was still running for the top job and dismissed such talk. Now she's out of the race, the Biden camp might come running. That would be good news in my view.