Harris pressed to get more personal about why she's running

California Sen. Kamala Harris is looking for the missing ingredient for her 2020 presidential campaign: a clear rationale.

Harris is trying to combat that criticism by giving voters a clearer sense of what has motivated her public life and her decision to run for president. During an event in South Carolina last weekend, Harris — who is black — spoke about memories of racial discrimination during her childhood.

Harris has big advantages in the Democratic primary, including her historic candidacy, a strong campaign apparatus and an impressive fundraising network. But she has been criticized for being overcautious and risks being passed by rival campaigns.

Early polling shows Harris trailing former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and facing strong competition from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.