Above all, her goal is not to fail, nor to expose herself to suspicions of disloyalty. Better to let others speculate on her début as a candidate, rather than as a running mate. Ever since US President Joe Biden's train wreck performance in a televised debate against Donald Trump on June 27, Kamala Harris has stood by him in solidarity. On Independence Day, a photo immortalized them, beaming, on the balcony of the White House residence, watching the fireworks.

Two days later, the vice president attended the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. During a public conversation, she said nothing about the doubts that have beset the Democratic party about Biden's ability to run a campaign. Instead, she spoke with ease about her background and career, a story delivered on autopilot, and one she has refined over the years. Above all, she once again drew up an indictment – as a former magistrate – against Republican candidate Trump.

The Harris temptation is surfacing. It permeates the halls of Congress, raising questions among experts who pore over electoral maps and polls. Trump represents a danger to the rule of law and American democracy, but he is also a candidate with many vulnerabilities.

To exploit them, wouldn't it be better to endorse Harris, rather than Biden, who is so vulnerable and weakened? A few voices have publicly expressed their support. On July 7, Adam Schiff, a US House representative from California, suggested that Harris would be a "phenomenal" president. The next day, Adam Smith, his colleague from Washington state, was on CNN. He openly called on the president to step down, considering him "not the best person to carry the Democratic message." "The campaign strategy of 'be quiet and fall in line and let’s ignore it' simply isn’t working," said Smith, before adding, "Personally, I think Kamala Harris would be a much better, stronger candidate."

As for Harris, she knows the fickleness of the press, which has long been very harsh with her, and the nervousness of her former colleagues in Congress, who are preoccupied with their re-election in November. However, her entourage has been vigilant: She must not leave other contenders with any hope.

She alone has a national presence, she alone has access to the campaign funds that have already been accumulated, she alone has already undergone the powerful crushing pressure of a presidential election. Two days after the televised debate, she attended a fundraising party in Los Angeles on June 29, at film director Rob Reiner's home. "I am empirical proof of the promise of America," she said, brushing the debate aside in a few words, to focus on the Trump threat and the successes of the current administration. However, there was no personal defense of Biden. The message was simple: Make your comparisons, it's terrible on the other side.

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