Kamala Harris, a Weak Link in Democratic Presidential Golf Chain

The history of William Henry Harrison, the United States’ ninth president, holds some intriguing records. He was the final president that held the label of a British subject from birth and also the inaugural Whig Party member to acquire America’s top office. His set a record for the lengthiest inaugural speech, lasting around two hours and held the shortest tenure as a president, succumbing to death merely 31 days into his term. Among politicians, Harrison was the last to experience defeat in his initial presidential election, only to snatch victory in the following one.

Such a victory-after-defeat scenario seems uncommon. Previous presidents, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson experienced it. The distance between defeat and victory stretched longer for Richard Nixon. Only Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump had the opportunity to taste victory, face defeat, then reclaim victory. However, the political landscape has been less forgiving since Harrison’s period. Aspiring candidates who experienced initial defeat and attempted another run in the following election were left disappointed.

Consider the ill-fated journeys of Democrat Adlai Stevenson and Republican Thomas Dewey, both of whom ran twice, only to face defeat on each occasion. Similarly, Henry Clay and William Jennings Bryan embarked on three consecutive runs, but fell short every time, eventually succumbing to defeat. The electorate doesn’t seem to favor those who have previously lost. The political fortunes of Kamala Harris seem to hang in this delicate balance, as she recently expressed her disinterest in pursuing the governor’s office in California, sparking rumors about her ambition for the top office.

Sadly for Harris, her parent political organization, the Democratic party, is facing severe unpopularity. The net favorability of the party has dipped to -30 points, a deficit nearly three times as robust as the Republican party’s -11 points. These statistics showcase the Democratic Party’s worst popularity in almost 35 years. The reasons for this unpopularity lie within the party’s own actions- their defeat to Trump and a lackluster opposition during his term in the office.

The blame can’t solely rest on Harris’ shoulders, but, ironically, she seems to encapsulate the Democratic party’s current discontent. This dissatisfaction, however, isn’t a uniform response – it originates from different factions within the party. The progressive wing is frustrated with the Democrat’s seeming lack of drive, while the centrist group believes the party has endeavored in misguided fights, leaning too heavily into cultural and identity politics.

Bridging these internal divides is a shared and powerful desire for victory. Perhaps Harris’ only asset in setting her pathway towards the possibility of a nominee in 2024, besides her credentials, was her ethnicity and gender, reinforcements of diversity. Indeed, Biden publicly shared that he would favor a female candidate and then an African-American running mate.

However, the perpetual problem faced by Harris isn’t her racial background or her gender, but rather her inability to captivate voters in a way that fortifies the Democratic party’s base. If Democrats want to secure a win, they need a dynamo, a candidate who can win over Trump’s voters. Sadly, Harris failed due to her inability to resonate with an evolving electorate.

Harris’ verbiage often rendered her reminiscent of the head of learners’ affairs at a petite liberal arts institution. Asides from reproductive rights, her beliefs felt like the output of a focus group, at a time when the electorate yearned for genuineness. We live in an era where authenticity can differentiate a candidate, and here is where Harris seemed disturbingly inadequate.

To intensify matters, Harris fell in line with Joe Biden’s stipulation that she refrain from drawing breath between their political spaces. Her decision to choose ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert for her first interview post-office exit was a telling indication. While this move may charm Colbert’s devoted viewership, it hardly resonates with the kind of audience the Democrats need behind them for a win.

Therefore, in nominating Harris again, the Democrats would be setting her up for another defeat. While she might serve as an interesting tidbit for political trivia, one thing seems certain – it most likely won’t be in response to the question, ‘Who was the 48th President of the United States?’