Staff Reports
On a chilly Thanksgiving evening, the political world is reflecting on the moments that shape our nation’s course. One pivotal moment was July 13th in Butler, Pennsylvania—a day that some believe was infused with divine intervention. If Donald Trump hadn’t dodged a metaphorical bullet (and we mean that literally), who knows? Kamala Harris might be sitting in the Oval Office instead of serving as Vice President. Fast forward to now, and Harris has returned from a ten-day Hawaiian vacation looking less like a rejuvenated vice president and more like someone who just woke up from an all-too-long nap.
After her luxurious retreat in Hawaii, one would expect a lively and sprightly Kamala Harris to address the pressing issues of the nation. Instead, she emerged to deliver a Thanksgiving message that left many scratching their heads. Rather than a simple “Happy Thanksgiving,” Harris opted for an elaborate invitation to engage with “birthing parents” and “non-binary Uncle Jim.” While her intentions might have leaned towards inclusivity, it came off more like a politician attempting to recite a line from a bizarre play. The awkwardness of her message led some to wonder whether it was written for a satirical comedy sketch rather than a political announcement.
Yet, that wasn’t the only head-turning part of her speech. Harris’s enthusiastic praise for Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota raised eyebrows wider than the turkey platter on the dining room table. She spoke of him as a “national leader” who uplifts the dignity of all people, despite Walz’s reputation being more like a punchline than a pillar of strength. Under his leadership, Minnesota saw pandemic-era reporting hotlines for Thanksgiving gatherings, which seemed to sidestep any actual encouragement of individual freedoms. The irony was not lost on viewers, and it was impossible not to chuckle at Harris’s obliviousness to the actual sentiments of the public.
But the laughs didn’t end there. As she proceeded, Harris boasted about her campaign spending—a staggering $1.4 billion in 107 days. This amount, which some might call frivolous given the outcomes, might have made her campaign team joyful, but for the average voter? Not so much. Losing all seven battleground states while racking up debts in the millions could only be considered a comedy of errors. The sheer disconnect expressed in her enthusiasm for a historic fundraising effort in light of such losses is reminiscent of that infamous “let them eat cake” moment from history—misguided and out of touch.
While Kamala Harris declared that the fighting spirit for freedom and dignity has not diminished, every American knows that the reality is starkly different. The rhetoric of fighting for rights and opportunities simply doesn’t hold water when weighed against the values that most citizens hold dear. It’s ironic and frankly amusing to witness a politician try to insert a narrative of strength and empowerment at a time when many feel anything but empowered. Her assertion that the battle for constitutional rights is as alive as ever seems like a desperate echo from the past, which most folks would argue ended on November 5th.
As families carve their turkeys and share stories around dinner tables nationwide, one has to wonder what conversations will arise about Harris’s message. The political comedy goldmine that is her career might make for some lively dinner discussions. The clumsy nature of her delivery and convoluted messages only drive home the rumor that her aspirations for the future—be it a 2028 presidential run or a run for governor in California—are in more jeopardy than any of her supporters would like to admit. After all, when the applause dies down, the truth remains: the American people have made their choice, and they appear to have left Harris behind, still trying to compose her next familial dialogue amidst the laughter.
