"That book is like rubbing salt in the wound. It couldn't be worse for our party right now," a Democratic strategist said on 22/9, referring to former Vice President Kamala Harris's upcoming book, "107 Days".
The book, set to be released on 23/9, chronicles Harris's short-lived 2024 presidential bid. It comes as Democrats are grappling with the aftermath of their loss to the Republican party in the race for the White House.
Some Democrats believe the book exacerbates existing tensions within the party. "Keep rehashing everything; it's really working for us. And create more conflict, why not?" the strategist quipped.
Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race on 21/7/2024, following pressure from Democratic leaders due to a lackluster performance in the first debate against Donald Trump. Harris became the replacement candidate but ultimately lost to Trump, failing to secure any battleground states.
In excerpts released on 10/9, Harris affirmed Biden's competence as president but called his decision to seek re-election last year "reckless".
She even recounted Biden calling her minutes before her debate with Trump to reprimand her for perceived criticism. "I couldn’t fathom why he was calling me at that moment and talking about himself," Harris wrote.
Harris also admitted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wasn't her first choice for running mate and expressed disappointment with his debate performance against Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance on 1/10/2024.
Democratic strategist Garry South said he hadn't read the book, but the excerpts "suggest she blames everyone but herself for her loss".
"This is a remarkably negative and graceless book from someone supposedly harboring thoughts of running again in 2028," South said.
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Former US Vice President Kamala Harris in Los Angeles, California on 6/6. Photo: AFP |
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris in Los Angeles, California on 6/6. Photo: AFP
In "107 Days," Harris reveals then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a close friend and openly gay, was her initial choice for running mate.
"He would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight white man (the traditional candidate profile easily accepted by American voters). But we were already asking too much of America to accept a woman of color married to a Jewish man. We both understood the risks, and it saddened us," she added.
Buttigieg responded that voters choose candidates based on their ability to improve lives, not on the classifications Harris listed. He also expressed "surprise" at her comments.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, another potential running mate, refuted Harris's claim that he seemed more interested in the vice presidency than in helping her win. Shapiro argued Harris should explain why she didn't raise concerns about Biden's health sooner. "She was next to the president but never said anything publicly," Shapiro said.
According to US media, including such anecdotes is a way for Harris to attract readers and sell books. Her supporters believe "107 Days" successfully conveys her perspective on the 2024 campaign, offering insight into one of the most unusual elections in modern history.
Jamal Simmons, Harris's former communications director, said she "has the right to tell her story". "I think people will read it and see that she overcame a lot of barriers. But there were also barriers she didn't overcome," Simmons said.
However, some of the former vice president's allies suggest she bears significant responsibility for her loss. "She should have some self-reflection," one ally said.
"107 Days" draws comparisons to Hillary Clinton's 2017 post-election memoir, "What Happened," in which Clinton reflected on her own failed campaign.
A Democratic strategist noted that former candidates have the right to tell their stories but should be mindful that their perspectives "aren't presented in a vacuum". "This will give the opposition an excuse to portray us as a mess by exposing our internal conflicts," the strategist said.
But Democratic strategist Anthony Coley, who worked for the Biden administration, disagreed.
"Politicians always write books after major career milestones. It's clearly better for her to release the book now rather than 12 months from now, when we're in the midst of midterm elections," Coley said, adding he wished Harris "had been more candid during the campaign".
Huyen Le (Theo Hill, Politico)
