Reflecting on setbacks: Kamala Harris’ career missteps in focus

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has sparked controversy with her new tell-all book, *107 Days*, which critics argue deepens the damage to her political image.

Fox News reported that detailing her 2024 presidential campaign, the book is seen as a political misstep that, alongside a series of career errors, dims her prospects for a 2028 run.

Harris, raised in an upper-middle-class family in California, built an impressive resume as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator, and eventually vice president. Despite this ascent, she has faced ongoing criticism for lacking the ability to establish herself as a credible leader.

Early Influences and Political Shifts

One of the earliest missteps critics point to is her political break from Willy Brown, a former mentor and romantic partner. Brown had guided her career, helping her secure the role of San Francisco district attorney with advice on practical politics.

After distancing herself from Brown, Harris veered further left in her political stance. This shift cost her support among independent voters and marked a departure from the pragmatic approach Brown advocated.

“Willy Brown always knew that,” one observer noted of practical politics. “Harris never learned that.”

Struggles with Grassroots Connections

Another significant critique is Harris’ failure to engage in retail politics during her rise. She often secured positions without intense campaigning, missing opportunities to forge strong ties with voters and leaders in California.

This weakness became evident in the 2020 presidential primaries, where she placed fourth in California polls behind competitors like Elizabeth Warren. Her lack of support in her home state also hurt her standing in key early states like Iowa and South Carolina, leading to her withdrawal before the Iowa Caucuses.

Without a robust network of allies, Harris struggled to build the momentum needed for a national campaign. Her early exit underscored a broader inability to connect on a personal level with the electorate.

Missed Opportunities as Vice President

As vice president, selected by President Joe Biden partly for identity politics considerations, Harris had a platform to strengthen Democratic Party ties. However, she did not actively support party candidates across the country, a role expected of vice presidents with presidential ambitions.

This lack of effort led to a reputation for failing to build alliances. “Successful politics is a game of addition,” said Reagan biographer Craig Shirley, highlighting Harris’ missed opportunities.

Instead of expanding her network, Harris became known for isolating potential supporters. Critics argue this approach limited her influence within the party.

Accountability Issues in Recent Reflections

The release of *107 Days* has brought renewed scrutiny to Harris’ tendency to avoid accountability. In the book, she is portrayed as deflecting blame for her 2024 campaign’s shortcomings, including excessive spending on celebrity endorsements.

Donors and political analysts have criticized this stance, preferring leaders who own their mistakes. “Blaming others and attacking them is politics by subtraction,” one critic remarked, summarizing the negative perception of her approach.

Finally, Harris is faulted for not using the book to outline a forward-looking vision. “Leadership is about addressing the future, not lamenting the past,” a commentator noted, pointing out that elections hinge on hope and plans rather than retrospection.