Staff Reports
In a forthcoming book titled “The Truce: Progressives, Centrists and the Future of the Democratic Party” by Hunter Walker and Luppe B. Luppen, aides to Kamala Harris' unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign express skepticism about her potential success. The book, set to be released on January 24th, features excerpts shared by The U.K. Guardian.
According to the book, an unnamed campaign aide describes the campaign as "rotten from the start," expressing the sentiment that Harris should not be president. Harris, then a senator from California, dropped out of the Democratic primary race in December 2019. The book suggests that Harris's selection as Joe Biden's running mate in 2020 was influenced by her racial and ethnic background, as Biden had committed to choosing a black woman. However, an aide questions whether Harris's background alone is sufficient to support her candidacy, emphasizing the need for substantive policies.
Ex-Harris Staffers Give Their Assessments of Kamala in New Book, And It's Not Good for the VP via @WestJournalism https://t.co/8afkNydV1w
— Dr.SteelMagnolia (@TenoverDenise) January 16, 2024
The book also sheds light on the dysfunction that has characterized Harris's political career, portraying her presidential campaign's problems as persisting into her time as vice president. It highlights staff turnover, a toxic atmosphere marked by factionalism and mismanagement, and a comparison to the tumultuous dynamics of "Game of Thrones." Franklin Foer's book "The Last Politician" similarly paints Harris negatively, describing her as overly sensitive and prone to freezing out those she suspected of cooperating with reporters.
Foer's book suggests that Harris failed to fully commit to her assigned tasks as vice president, such as addressing the root causes of illegal immigration, opting for a conventional view that deemed it a futile endeavor. Harris's approach to her role in the White House, expressing reluctance to work on women's issues or racial matters, is also noted. The book reports that Harris's strict rules, such as desiring a majority female office with a Black woman as chief of staff, were seen as limiting by White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
The revelations in these books raise concerns about Harris's popularity and potential impact on President Joe Biden's political standing. Comparisons to former Vice President Dan Quayle, who faced media and celebrity attacks, suggest that Harris's low favorabilities could influence future elections. The challenges outlined in these books highlight the complexity of Harris's political journey and the uncertainties surrounding her ability to emerge as a successful politician.
