While the Democratic presidential field is still taking shape, the lack of an in-state competitor plays to Sen. Kamala Harris’ advantage. | Denis Poroy/AP Photo

As America readies another presidential election season and trained journalists are talking Iowa and New Hampshire — two states that do not at all mirror the voter makeup of America or the wins of the 2018 mid-terms — Sen. Kamala Harris is beating down door in California. Not content with a wait and see strategy, Senator Harris is locking down endorsements and financial contributions in her new Super Tuesday March 3 primary state — and her home state — that could give her an enormous edge in winning the Democratic nomination. The decision of California to move up its primary from being last in the country makes it suddenly very relevant.

If she has anything but stellar success in California, writes Politico, her presidential aspirations for 2020 could end quickly. Kamala Harris has a true political machine in California and no home-state challengers. Not that Harris isn’t busy making appearances out of California.

In particular, she’s courting voters in another Super Tuesday state — South Carolina. If Biden runs, he does have close relationships with African American voters in the South Carolina, but it’s pretty inconceivable that African American women won’t break big for Sen. Harris in South Carolina.

Harris is getting high praise for her social media efforts and the infrastructure she’s built in California. And she knows the new reality that other candidates are only beginning to understand. Iowa and New Hampshire voters are accustomed to having almost undivided attention from primary candidates. But early voting in California starts in February — timed with Iowa’s caucus and New Hampshire’s primary.

If Bernie Sanders gets in the race as expected, facts are that three of the top seven regions that generated his donations are in California: Los Angeles-Long Beach, San Francisco and Oakland. But many financial bundlers are saying that donors are expressing “more interest in younger, next-generation candidates than those from the older political guard.”

And, of course, there is the unleashing of energy and big wins among female candidates in the 2018 midterms. Both Bernie and Biden may find that the old boys landscape has changed. At rock bottom, of course, all Democrats are committed to beating Trump as a MUST DO. While legions of Dems want a female president, job #1 is sending the Trump family packing. Read on at Politico.

In a heated exchange, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) questioned Elliott Abrams’ credibility as US Special Envoy to Venezuela, given his role in the Iran-Contra affair and support for U.S.-backed coups in the '80s.

I so regret the tweets from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) about Jews from the other day and agree w/those who say she threw away some hard-won power and capital. This article by The Daily Beast shows another side of Omar, questioning Elliott Abrams, who has been appointed as the U.S. Special Envoy to Venezuela. Her questioning leaves me very proud of her.

Watch the video to see the fearless, composed, questioning that Omar is capable of doing. She confronts Abrams about El Salvador and how proud he is of the country as a democracy. Abrams is very dismissive of Omar, but she stays totally focused and on point. ***** (5-stars)

As women, we know this is a hideous answer from Abrams about a country — El Salvador — where femicide runs rampant right under the eyes and noses of the Catholic Church. Women are garbage in El Salvador, and Abrams' answer is very much the white male, hawk answer. She also challenges him on his past lies -- why is he telling the truth now.