RESOLVED: Kamala Harris is (and always has been) a bad candidate

Real talk.

(Kamala Harris/ Getty Images/ Mario Tama)

During the late summer of 2024, every Democrat I talked to or watched on TV said the same thing: Kamala Harris’ joyful campaign was going to save the party and the country.

The plaudits were unending. She had reinvigorated a moribund party single-handedly! She was making it fun to be a Democrat again! She was the female Barack Obama!

This, from The Hill newspaper in August 2024, was indicative of the broader sentiment of the coverage of Harris:

Millions of dollars are pouring into her campaign, and she’s breaking fundraising records. Groups of “white dudes” and “cat ladies” have rushed to her side, along with the big money and star power of Hollywood.

Harris’s image has found its way onto the iconic Shepard Fairey “Hope” posters and T-shirts, a visual that ties her to former President Obama’s 2008 campaign, when he stole the spotlight and cemented his own rock star status in the party.

Democrats say this surge of enthusiasm for Harris hasn’t been seen since the Obama campaign, which prompted organic support from Democrats and independent voters.

(Sidebar: You can still buy the Harris’ “Hope” shirt on Amazon! Only $17.50!)

Amid all of the hype and hoopla, I remember thinking to myself: Is this true? Is it possible that Harris — a mediocre-at-best candidate for her entire political career to that point — had somehow transformed into a world-class political athlete?

I had my doubts. But, when I aired them — in this space and others — I was often shouted down. I didn’t think Harris was good because I couldn’t deal with a strong black woman! I was a misogynist. Or a racist. Or both!

Which, as I hope all of you who read me know, was never true. I simply had never seen Harris demonstrate the skill set as a candidate that would suggest she was an elite-level politician.

In fact, quite the opposite. Harris’ recent media tour to tout her memoir — “107 Days” — has reminded me of something I think I have long known: She is simply not a very good politician. And she hasn’t gotten much better over her decades in the business.

I explain why — including a detailed history of Harris’ underwhelming campaign performances — below. To read the whole thing, become a paid subscriber today. It’s $6 a month or $60 for the entire year!