Long before voters cast their ballots in the 2024 election, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump battled for the presidency, rumors swirled about tech tycoon Mark Cuban potentially stepping into the political sphere. The former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Cuban once authorized an electoral poll out of curiosity – to gauge how he might fare should he pursue a presidential run as an independent. Or so he says. ‘Should the figures show a high enough potential impact on other candidates, I might have attempted to persuade my family,’ declared Cuban rather ambiguously.
As the election approached on November 5th, it was evident that Cuban’s sympathies leaned towards Harris. The countless times he threw an unkind quip at Trump on various social media platforms made this painfully clear. Intriguingly, Cuban’s supportive antics might not simply have been based on his political alignment. He insinuates that he could have been in the running to be Harris’ vice presidential candidate in the 2024 election. Yet one must wonder, can this claim hold any water?
During a session on ‘The Bulwark’ podcast, Cuban purportedly disclosed that Harris’ team offered him a virtual silver platter: an opportunity to be her running mate. Why should someone of Cuban’s stature, then, refuse such an opportunity? The entrepreneur retorted that he would not have been a good fit as the second choice for America. ‘I am not comfortable being the No. 2. And the last thing you need is me second-guessing Kamala, the president, saying that’s foolish. I’m not suited for the gladhanding, baby-kissing political game,’ quipped Cuban in conversation with Tim Miller.
Post-Cuban’s rebuttal, aspiring vice-president Harris supposedly shifted her focus to Tim Walz. ‘In contrast to Tim, our personalities, experiences, and backgrounds are completely diverse. I believe I confront the nonsense more directly. I am not a career politician. So it would’ve been a wildly different dynamic, but most likely disastrous. She would have given me the boot within six days,’ he said, with an inexplicable confidence. One is left pondering how Cuban came to such specific conclusions.
When all was said and done, Trump emerged victorious against Harris by a marked margin, leaving her political aspirations in the dust. Was this outcome a result of Cuban turning down Harris’ proposal? Or was that possibility merely a figment of Cuban’s imagination? Neither Cuban’s exact role in this political saga, nor the potential impact of his involvement is clear. One thing, however, is: this is all pure speculation on Cuban’s part.
However, what if Cuban had accepted Harris’ offer? Barring his assertions of incompetence in the political realm, could he have been the game changer Harris needed to secure the presidency? Ironically, the answer is most likely negative. Cuban’s lack of political experience and presumed inability to handle the delicate task of international diplomacy would have likely been a liability to Harris. Moreover, his arrogant and dismissive attitude towards the essential tasks of a vice president hardly instills confidence in his abilities.
One might even argue that such impulsive decisions taken by the Harris campaign, such as supposedly approaching Cuban without a thorough vetting process, were a part of a larger picture defining her competence as a leader. Harris’ defeat stands as a testament to this poor judgment. A choice that seemed hasty and ill-thought-out, that of bringing a basketball team owner into the world of politics, speaks volumes about her decision-making skills.
And we find ourselves back at the crux of the matter: Harris’s political defeat at the hands of Trump. This loss not only illuminated her lack of appeal among voters but also hinted at the shortcomings of her campaign strategy. Perhaps having someone as seemingly unsuited for the political landscape as Cuban even in consideration for a VP slot highlighted how desperate things were.
The entire episode puts Harris’s judgment into question – for considering a rookie in politics as a running mate and putting all her eggs in a shaky basket. Would a better judgement call have saved her campaign? Probably not. Her insistence on running a campaign that seemed out-of-touch with the realities of everyday Americans was likely her downfall.
On the other hand, Cuban’s refusal to take on the role, cements his reputation as a shrewd businessman. He judiciously realized before everyone else how it would all unfold. Unlike the out-of-touch, bullish Harris, who seemed determined to push forward despite the clear signs, Cuban took a step back and analyzed the situation before making his move.
Harris’ proposition to Cuban, if it truly happened, reinforces a narrative of Harris’ desperation and inability to grasp the gravity of the situation. On the flip side, it cements Cuban’s image as one who weighs the odds before leaping
As the dust of the 2024 election settles, it becomes increasingly clear that one of the biggest talking points will be Harris’s candidature and her seemingly irrational choice of her vice-presidential running mate. Her defeat perhaps serves as a reminder of the perils of poor judgement and hastiness in politics.
In conclusion, it appears Harris’ poorly calculated moves and lack of connection with the average American voter led to her falling flat on her face. As for the rumor of Cuban’s potential vice-presidential appointment, it remains to be evaluated whether it truly was a Harris campaign blunder or just an anecdotal exaggeration on Cuban’s part.
Whether or not Mark Cuban would have made for a suitable vice-president remains a speculative topic. However, the political blunder that Harris’ campaign seems to have committed gives us food for thought about the vetting process for such crucial roles.