**Calamity Politics thought we should tell the real life story of Doug Emhoff and VP Kamala Harris for Valentine’s Day.
Doug Emhoff:
Our First Second Gentleman is First Class
By Anna Hessel
Second to None
The United States of America has its first ever Second Gentleman. Apparently that is the official title of the spouse of the first female Vice President, the fabulous Kamala Harris. Douglas Craig Emhoff is an accomplished entertainment attorney in his own right. Another ground breaker, Doug happens to be the first Jewish spouse of an American VP. Mr. Emhoff has stepped into his new defining role with ease, grace, and enthusiasm. His dignified and quiet demeanor, enthusiastic support of his wife, distinguished good looks, and resplendent normalcy make him the ideal individual to become the first Second Gentleman.
Lawful Beginnings
Born in New York on October 13th, 1964. The 56-year-old Emhoff married Kamala Devi Harris in 2014, Their birthdays are only a week apart. He spent his high school days at Agoura and Cedar Ridge. He attended the University of Southern California and California State University – Northridge. He continued his education and graduated from USC Gould School of Law.
A Career of His Own
Doug has enjoyed a successful legal career as a partner and litigator with the law firm of DLA Piper, working from their District of Columbia and state of California locations. He specializes in intellectual property and entertainment law. As an attorney, Mr. Emhoff’s achievements include defending a former well-known Olympic and NFL athlete in a civil suit instigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He also represented those holding the rights to a well-recognized character of animation in trademark and copyright infringement.
A First Class Second Gentleman
A Family Affair
He has two children from his prior marriage to Kerstin Emhoff, Cole and Ella. The now Madam Vice President arrived with cookies, wearing her signature Converse sneakers, when originally meeting her stepchildren-to-be. In a “Happy Birthday” quote to his wife in 2018, our now Second Gentleman tweeted, “Happy birthday, @KamalaHarris! You are always there with a big hug, bright smile, infectious laugh, and just the right words, all with delicious food and an amazing soundtrack! We love you so so much (and are VERY proud of you)! Doug, Cole, & Ella.”
Right Back At Ya’…
Both Ella and Cole refer to our Vice-President lovingly as “Mom-ala”. Kamala’s statement regarding her husband and stepchildren speaks volumes, “They are my endless source of love and pure joy. I am so thankful to Doug, to Kerstin, and most of all, to Ella and Cole. And as our family embarks together on this new journey – one that has taken me to South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Nevada, and Michigan in the last few weeks alone – I can say one thing with certainty, my heart wouldn’t be whole, nor my life full, without them.”
We’ll Second That
Mr. Emhoff privately toured the Library of Congress, touching pieces of history such as Abraham Lincoln’s law notes and Rosa Park’s Bible. While there, he learned about historical Second Ladies that came before him. His optimistic comment, “I just love this stuff!”. His eager zeal for his brand new status is infectious, and his quiet, supportive personality makes Doug the perfect Second Gentleman.
DC Law
Mr. Emoff has left his private law practice to support his Vice-President wife. He will however take on a career teaching law courses. He is joining the faculty at the Georgetown University Law Center. He will begin by instructing a two-credit course on legal disputes in entertainment law. He has been quoted as saying, “I’ve long wanted to teach and serve the next generation of young lawyers.” The Dean of Georgetown Law William M. Treanor is obviously very pleased that Mr. Emhoff is joining their ranks, stating, “Doug is one of the nation’s leading intellectual property and business litigators, and he has a strong commitment to social justice.” Dean Treanor went on to say, “I know our students will greatly benefit from his experience and insight, and I am eagerly looking forward to his arrival.”
That’s A Switch…
Our nation has entered a brand-new moment where “political” marriages come into play in both directions. Our Second Gentleman’s approach to his pioneering role is still being developed. He is, however, working closely with the transition team to concentrate on the issues that he will be involved in. Political science professor Kim Nalder of California State University in Sacramento has been quoted as saying, “There is a lot of symbolism from a man stepping back from his high-powered career in order to support his wife’s career.” She also commented, “We’ve been waiting for this sort of gender switch for decades now.”
Erring on The Side of Caution
Political spouses and their key issue advocacy programs are used to garner public awareness. Dr. Jill Biden, when she was Second Lady, promoted community college education and military family support. We look forward to her continued efforts in those areas as First Lady. I’m sure we’ll soon be seeing the causes that drives our new Second Gentleman.
Leaving the Entanglements
Mr. Emhoff decided to temporarily sever ties with DLA Piper, by taking a leave of absence from DLA as soon as Joe Biden chose Kamala Harris as his running mate. It allowed for the Biden-Harris administration to steer clear of any possible ethics issues. His former firm has an enormous footprint as federal lobbyists. Their client base includes Raytheon, the Puerto Rican government, and Comcast. If you are curious, Doug has never been a lobbyist.
Not-So-Blind Date
Doug met his future wife and the future Vice President on a blind date. PR consultant Chrisette Hudlin, and dear friend of Kamala’s set them up. Since they met Doug has become her most ardent supporter and champion. Christette later remarked to Marie Claire that prior to dating Harris, he was familiar with her career and had prior to meeting her spoken of her fondly, “He was complimenting her, and at the same time he was admiring her, and I liked that.” Marie Claire also tells us Doug sent an email to Kamala the morning following the blind date stating simply, “I really like you”.
The Proud Family
Immediately upon learning of his wife’s and President Biden’s win, our Second Gentleman tweeted, “So proud of you”, complete with double hearts and American flags, as well as a heart-warming photo of the couple embracing. In his Twitter bio, he refers to himself as, “Devoted dad. Proud husband to @KamalaHarris. Advocate for justice and equality.” Upon his wife’s election, Mr. Emoff added a second Twitter account @SecondGentleman, with a personal description updating to, “Future Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Devoted dad. Proud husband to Vice President-Elect Harris.”
Ladies of Legacy
We as a nation are very blessed to have this stellar man defining the esteemed position of our very first Second Gentleman. He is intensely honored to give definition to this role. During an interview for an article in GQ Magazine, Mr. Emhoff remarked, “It reminds me of a story Kamala likes to tell about her mother Shyamala, who would always say to her daughters, ‘You may be the first, but you better not be the last.’” He also said, “Here’s the truth: generations of women before me have used this platform to advocate for causes they believe in and build trust in our institutions at home and abroad – often without much accolade or acknowledgement.” He further commented, “It’s on their shoulders I stand. And it’s their legacy of progress I will try to build on as Second Gentleman.”
Advocate This…
We wait to see which causes Doug will advocate for. He has, however, made it abundantly clear that he will take his prompts from the former Second Lady’s achievements. When he found out a dictionary now has Second Gentleman listed, he commented, “I may be the first Second Gentleman, but I know I won’t be the last,” wanting his late mother-in-law’s philosophy to be true of him, also.
That’s How They Roll…
The enthusiasm of Doug’s whole-hearted commitment to backing his wife’s career is contagious. Madam Vice President Harris during an interview with “Now This” said, “I love my husband.” She went on to state, “He is funny. He is kind. He is patient. He loves my cooking. He’s just a really great guy.” Kamala made a humorous comment while being interviewed by CNN’s Jake Tapper, saying she will, “call him ‘Honey’”, even stating on her Instagram profile that, “@DouglasEmhoff will always be honey to me”. Mr. Emhoff was quoted in Marie Claire as saying, “Our relationship and the way I roll, my whole life has just been to support the people I love and unequivocally, and they support me.” He went on to comment, “The whole thing has been based on parity and mutual respect.”
He’s a Keeper…
An article in the San Francisco Chronicle details how the couple became engaged March 27th, 2014. Doug kept his proposal classic and personal; of course, he got down on his knee, displaying to the beautiful Senator Harris a stunning platinum and diamond ring at her residence. Our first Second Gentleman is a first-rate keeper.
https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2020/08/26/kamala-harris-go-easy-on-em-kid/
