William H. Harrison, the ninth President of the United States and the last one born as a British subject, holds records for both the longest inaugural address and the shortest presidency. His presidency ended prematurely when he became the first sitting president to die in office merely a month into his term. Contrary to most political careers, Harrison lost his initial bid for the presidency, only to achieve victory in the subsequent race; a pattern most politicians, including Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, failed to emulate. This trend suggests an intriguing challenge lying in wait for Kamala Harris within her political ambition.
Richard Nixon stands as a singular example of a politician who managed to capture victory after a considerable gap following his defeat. Still, the narrative of Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump is remarkable in its own right, as they managed to win, lose, and again win the presidency. However, the common trend since Harrison’s time has been that politicians who have tasted defeat in their first presidential run and dared to vie again in the next election, confront defeat yet again.
Prominent instances of this include Democrat Adlai Stevenson and Republican Thomas Dewey, losing consecutive races, and the likes of Henry Clay and William Jennings Bryan, who ran thrice in a row only to endure loss each time. The electorate’s preference seems to tilt away from former losers, framing an unfavorable scenario for Harris who recently confirmed she will not be running for governor of California. This preferred absence has fueled conjectures about Harris’s aspirations for the White House.
The Democratic Party, of which Harris is a part, currently faces plummeting popularity ratings. The party’s net favorability is at an all-time low in the past 35 years with a negative reputation thrice that of the GOP. This unfavorable perception is thought to be a consequence of their loss to Donald Trump, as well as their lack of effective opposition against his governance. Harris’, unfortunately, is seen as representing this pervasive discontent with the Democratic Party.
Surprisingly, the Democrats’ dissatisfaction over their party isn’t uniform. Progressive members argue vehemently that the party isn’t putting up a strong enough resistance in the political arena. On the other hand, the party’s more moderate faction argues the Democrats are promoting the wrong causes, with an unnecessary leftward tilt in matters relating to culture wars and identity politics. The divergent discontent within the party is united by a longing for victory, which seems to be an elusive goal.
One of the few reasons Harris stood poised as a potential nominee for the upcoming election was due to her perceived representation of diversity. As Biden had explicitly expressed his preference for a female running mate, preferably of African American descent, Harris naturally fit the bill. However, Harris’ major snag isn’t her race or gender but her evident struggle to resonate with voters in a way that strengthens the Democratic front.
To exchange blows with the Republicans effectively, the Democratic party needs a candidate capable of drawing Trump supporters over to their side. Harris’s inability to capture this demographic during the last election did not necessarily stem from a low Democratic turnout. Instead, it was attributed to her failure to strike a chord with an evolving demographic.
Harris’ rhetoric, often compared to a head of students at a small liberal arts college was seen as lacking appeal. Except for issues surrounding reproductive rights, her convictions were perceived as carefully calibrated by focus groups, at a time when voters preferred genuine authenticity.
Further damaging her reputation, Harris bowed to Biden’s demand not to distance herself from him. Her decision to appear on Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ for her first interview post-office attracted her ideologically inclined audience but did not cater to the broader demographics that Democrats need to court for victory.
It is fair to say, therefore, that if Democrats choose Harris as their nominee again, her historical political significance may sadly amount to nothing more than an answer to a trivia question. Unlike past presidents who often remain in memory for significant accomplishments, Harris could be remembered for an unsettling lack of marked progress. An uneventful presidency doesn’t create ripples, and it is rebellion and distinct impact that create legacy.
Should a second nomination be granted to her, it’s most likely she’d go down in history with a footnote, rather than a chapter. And the trivia question associated with her wouldn’t be along the lines of ‘Who was the 48th president of the United States?’. If Democrats pursue their current course of action with Harris in the leading role, might it be too late to adjust their sails when they finally realize their ship is sinking?
Evolution within party politics needs to reflect accounting for mistakes and addressing them, rather than glossing over them. Winning back the support of an evolving electorate requires a markedly authentic approach that addresses the voters’ real concerns rather than simply siding with fashionable political norms.
Nevertheless, the Democratic Party keeps on gambling and might continue to do so, regardless of the losing streak. The old adage that history repeats itself seems to hold true, this being no exception. As Harris readies her potential political aspirations for the White House, she might do well to take notice of the cycle repeating itself.
Perhaps it’s time for the Democratic Party, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden to truly evaluate their standings and understand their roles in the continual downfall of their party’s popularity. It might be the only way they can avert the impending political disappointment that seems to shadow their present trajectory.
If the Democratic Party, plagued by disapproval, continues undeterred in its present course, it may not be long before they find themselves bereft of any feasible shot at the presidency. As the party now stands, its chance at a victorious bid in upcoming elections may hinge on the necessary, albeit absent, shift in focus from identity politics to a more appealing rhetoric that speaks to its lost audience.
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