As the 2024 campaign unfolds, one of the most unexpected shifts in the political landscape is the emergence of a sitting vice president as the “change” candidate. This concept seems almost contradictory. By design, a vice president seeking the presidency is linked to the outgoing administration and can only distance themselves so much from their predecessor. Historically, such candidates walk a fine line—praising the past while subtly signaling that things will be different. Think George H.W. Bush in 1988, urging voters to “choose the horse that’s going the same way,” but with promises of a “kinder, gentler” nation.

However, in this unprecedented turn of events, Kamala Harris has become the face of change, irrespective of how closely her policies align with President Joe Biden’s. Her elevation, largely the result of circumstance rather than a strategic plan, has transformed her into a figure symbolizing progress and renewal—a powerful political asset in a year of mounting frustrations with the status quo.

This shift spells trouble for Donald Trump, who historically leveraged his outsider status as a promise to break the mold of traditional politics. His entire 2016 campaign was a repudiation of the establishment. But now, as a figure with a presidential term behind him and a campaign centered on regurgitating false election claims, Trump is struggling to present himself as the harbinger of change. For many voters, he has become the embodiment of the past—just when they crave something new.

In 2016, Trump’s message resonated with millions of disillusioned Americans. His lack of political experience was seen as a refreshing break from the usual political class. Voters were eager for a drastic change, and Trump, with his brash rhetoric and outsider status, delivered that promise. He represented a dramatic departure from the Washington norm—a candidate who would “drain the swamp” and defy the conventional wisdom that had failed them.

Fast forward to 2024, and Trump’s campaign faces a much harder task. He’s no longer the outsider. Having served in the White House for four years, his call for change rings hollow to many. The incessant focus on the 2020 election and his ongoing grievances only reinforce the idea that he’s more fixated on the past than the future.

Contrast this with the Democratic Party’s shift. For months, Biden’s age and unpopularity threatened to dominate the party’s prospects. But after a crucial debate performance, the realization set in that Biden couldn’t win in November. Faced with deteriorating polls and growing dissatisfaction, the Democratic Party opted for a bold move: Kamala Harris emerged as the new face of change.

In a matter of weeks, the political narrative had shifted dramatically. The Democratic Party had rediscovered its ability to make a change, and suddenly, voters had a clear alternative. “You don’t want Biden or Trump? Now you don’t have to!” The energy around Harris has been palpable, with a surge of support from donors, volunteers, and enthusiastic crowds.

Harris, aware of the dynamic, has seized the moment, pushing a message of forward momentum with her slogan, “We’re not going back.” This rallying cry isn’t just about issues like abortion rights, but a broader rejection of the Trump era and its failures.

However, this shift doesn’t come without its risks. The Republican Party will undoubtedly pour millions into painting Harris as a continuation of the Biden administration’s unpopular policies on immigration, inflation, and more. Trump, if he can channel his energy into a more coherent message, may yet find a way to reassert his dominance. But for now, Harris’s rise as the “change” candidate has injected a new, unforeseen energy into the race.

For now, it’s a political phenomenon that feels almost surreal. In an era where the vice president is rarely seen as a true challenger, watching Harris take on the mantle of change is a reminder of the unpredictable twists that make political campaigns so fascinating. The 2024 election is shaping up to be a battle for the future—and, for now at least, Harris stands as its standard-bearer.