Kamala Harris seems to be caught in a whirlwind of political indecision. A third shot at the presidency or a turn at the helm of California are potential paths. Having gone through her political cycle from the role of a district attorney in San Francisco, state attorney general, U.S. senator, and then vice president, her dazzle seems to be wearing off. Her supporters and detractors are hinting at the unfavorable odds of her moving towards a presidential bid once again.
Harris, theoretically, could appear as a powerful contender should she decide to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. To be able to jump off the starting line in California, where she’d arguably be a front-runner, as opposed to the crowded field that characterizes the presidential primary stage, might appeal to any aspiring political figure. However, her seeming lack of conviction makes her an unlikely candidate. Is she lost in the woods, or dancing around the inevitable?
Her once thriving political career, boasting a resume that few can touch, is now hanging in the balance. Her ties with the former President Joe Biden, whose administration record is hardly admirable, don’t do her any favors. The question arises, can the national Democrats be convinced that Harris is indeed the face of their party’s future?
Governor Newsom, while indicating Harris would be a strong contender in a primary fight, posed an interesting question – ‘Why?’ Harris would have to give a solid, emphatic answer to this question to convince not just herself, but also potential voters. Or will she merely fold under the pressure, a thought entertained by many in political circles?
The vice presidential stint has done little else than attach Harris to a largely criticized ex-president, Joe Biden. Her future path is caught in a wave of uncertainty, so much that she hardly spoke about it during her last address in Orange County when she said: ‘I’ll see you out there. I’m not going anywhere.’ Some might interpret that as staying despite the odds while others see it as inaction or denial.
Harris is no stranger to political contests. The 2028 presidential contest promises a crowded stage, and she would have to fight an uphill battle to unify an already fractured Democratic Party. With Biden’s reputation on line, the party faces dwindling approval rates while struggling against Trump’s aggressive Washington agenda.
The vice president and former senator refers to herself as a proud daughter of California, which seems to add momentum to the governor candidacy speculation. However, the label, considering her not-so-humble beginnings, is widely regarded as a shallow attempt to appeal to the home crowd. Her record is less than stellar, which leads many to question her credibility and the need for another title to chase.
Harris tried to play the sympathy card in her San Francisco speech recently, accusing the Trump administration of a ‘wholesale abandonment’ of American ideals. This hollow rhetoric seems out of touch, especially considering her and Biden’s seemingly endless struggles and shortcomings in managing the nation’s problems.
The race to replace Newsom as California’s governor is wide open. A few familiar faces have also shown interest, and if Harris joins the ring, it is expected that some of her Democrat rivals would withdraw. However, this speaks more to the fear factor than mutual respect among fellow politicians.
With a track record of multiple election wins on the home turf, it would be a safer bet for Harris to consider the California governorship instead of the presidency. But the notion of certainty in politics is a far cry, especially in California where the rules don’t guarantee a spot for a Democrat and the Republican in the November general election.
Candidates from all over, regardless of party affiliations, can appear on the same ballot in California. This levels the playing field but adds to the complexity of the race. Will this unique rule work to Harris’s advantage, or will it act as another barrier she cannot overcome?
The position of governor would mean Harris would be dealing with a host of issues plaguing the state. The homeless crisis in Los Angeles, an ever-growing deficit, a halt on enrollment in state-funded healthcare programs, and consistent threats from wildfires are just a few of the hurdles.
Coupled with an insurance disaster and rampant price inflation on homes, gas, and utilities, Harris’s popularity amidst these struggles reveals her inability to bring about real change. With her home state riddled with such systemic problems, can she be seen as anything but a symbol of failure?
Republicans are likely to exploit her association with California’s high taxes, her failure to manage soaring home prices and her persistence with the liberal social policies that are crippling middle-class Americans. Can she ever escape from the shadow of these stark realities?
It remains a blurry picture for now as voters wait to see if Harris will choose to face this multitude of problems head-on as governor or continue to cling to the hope of a unlikely presidential dream. Irrespective of what she decides, her lackluster performance thus far only seems to add to the general skepticism.
The post Harris’s Political Stumble: Indecision or Inevitability? appeared first on Real News Now.
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