As a prolonged government shutdown looms, former Vice-President Kamala Harris is actively rallying support for Democrats while promoting her presidential campaign memoir. Her public appearances are fueling discussions about a potential future White House bid.
In a recent interview, the 2024 Democratic nominee confirmed her ongoing communication with Capitol Hill Democrats. She is urging them to stand firm on their demands that President Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress tackle the anticipated surge in Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums.
Harris explicitly stated, “Republicans hold power in both the House and the Senate, as well as the White House. They are in control, and therefore, they bear responsibility for this shutdown.”
She emphasized that Democrats are “doing the right thing” by championing working people, refusing to allow Republicans to implement tax cuts for the nation’s wealthiest at the expense of ordinary Americans.
Harris’s book tour serves as a platform to encourage Democrats to mount a steadfast and assertive opposition to President Trump. Simultaneously, she is advocating for renewed efforts to connect with working and middle-class voters, many of whom either supported the Republican party or abstained from voting in the previous November election.
Her itinerary for the day included an hour-long discussion with five Black college students, an interview with a major news agency, and two book discussions in Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city. Downtown Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre was packed with paid attendees eager to hear Harris discuss her past campaign, the Democratic Party’s direction, and the nation’s future alongside radio host Charlamagne tha God.
Throughout her engagements, Harris exuded the presence of both a seasoned party leader and a prospective future candidate. She voiced profound concern about the country’s trajectory and expressed outright disbelief at many of President Trump’s actions. When approached by VIP ticketholders who shared their disappointment over her previous loss, she consistently offered a forward-looking message.
“We have work ahead of us,” she reiterated, urging, “Keep fighting.”
Both during her stage appearances and in her interview, she commended the Democratic party’s extensive talent pool and even suggested lowering the national voting age to 16 to boost youth engagement in politics.
Harris Hints at Future Political Ambitions
Harris, aged 60, stated she has not yet made a decision about her political future. However, she clearly indicated that a 2028 presidential run remains a possibility and that she views herself as an influential figure within the party and a prominent voice in national conversations.
“I am a leader of the party,” she affirmed, emphasizing her serious commitment to that role as the former nominee. This commitment, she explained, involves “traveling the country, engaging in dialogue, and most importantly, listening to people,” as well as “preparing individuals for the midterm elections” in 2026.
Her aides confirmed that Harris plans to support Democratic gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia through virtual events, fundraising, and robocalls. She also recently led a fundraiser for North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper, a former Governor and a long-standing friend.
Later this month, she intends to campaign in California for “Yes on Prop 50,” a ballot measure aimed at allowing a Democratic-led redrawing of the state’s congressional districts to counteract Republican gerrymandering efforts seen in states like Texas.
Authenticity: A Crucial Factor for Democratic Candidates
Harris, known for her candid assessments of political figures in her book “107 Days,” adopted a more cautious tone when asked about other prominent Democrats.
When questioned about Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent social media jabs at President Trump, she responded, “We must move beyond the notion of a single ‘chosen one.’ I believe various approaches can be effective when individuals remain true to themselves.”
She mentioned U.S. Representatives Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Brittany Petterson of Colorado, noting that “every voice and every perspective” has the potential to connect with specific voter groups.
Harris dismissed the common political belief that her previous loss was partly due to persistent Republican attacks on cultural and social issues, particularly those concerning transgender rights. Instead, she asserted that economic factors, especially inflation, played a more significant role.
“Many individuals voted for Donald Trump believing his promise to lower prices,” she stated, adding, “Regrettably, he misled them.”
Economic Issues Take Center Stage
Given persistently high prices and widening wealth disparities, Harris emphasized, “We must improve our approach to addressing the immediate needs of the American populace.” While acknowledging the Biden administration’s legislative successes, she suggested that household-focused policies like child tax credits, family leave, and first-time homebuyer credits should have been prioritized over larger initiatives such as a sweeping infrastructure program and the CHIPS semiconductor manufacturing law.
Despite advocating for a more focused economic message, Harris recognized significant structural hurdles for Democrats, including the widespread dissemination of misinformation and what she termed conservatives’ erosion of democratic principles.
She dismissed the concept of “low-information voters,” explaining that the true challenge lies in the overwhelming volume of misinformation and disinformation, which complicates efforts to reach many constituents. She asserted that Democrats need to break through these information silos instead of writing off any segment of the electorate.
“They deserve to have their voices heard,” she declared.
Concerns Over Civil Rights Erosion
During her stage appearance, Harris depicted a “reversal” of progress achieved by the Civil Rights Movement. She voiced her dismay over the possibility that the Supreme Court might strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a provision crucial for safeguarding political district boundaries designed to empower minority communities in electing their preferred candidates.
The absence of this law, she argued, could lead to a significant decline in non-white representation, particularly for Black communities in the South, across all levels of government, from Congress to local school boards and municipal councils.
“How can we assert, at this juncture, that the Voting Rights Act and its Section 2 no longer serve a purpose?” Harris questioned during her interview.
The significance of this issue was heightened by the location of her address. The Voting Rights Act was enacted in 1965, following the historic marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Subsequent legal challenges, notably a Supreme Court case originating in Mobile, prompted Congress to further clarify the intent of Section 2. More recently, a 2013 Supreme Court ruling stemming from a Shelby County, Alabama, case effectively weakened the law’s provision requiring the U.S. Justice Department to approve election procedures in areas with a history of discrimination.
Beyond the looming Supreme Court decision, Harris noted her concern over President Trump’s rhetoric concerning immigrants, as well as statements from his senior advisor Stephen Miller and other Republicans implying that the United States’ identity is solely derived from white European settlers.
“Based on their words, they are engaging in race-baiting and scapegoating,” she asserted. However, she refrained from directly labeling the administration’s actions as driven by white nationalist ideology, stating, “I cannot claim to know their innermost thoughts.”
Harris clarified that she never questioned former President Joe Biden’s capacity to serve, even when he chose not to seek re-election due to age concerns. She distinguished this from broader discussions about whether the then 82-year-old could have completed another full term.
When asked about her ongoing communication with Joe Biden, who is currently undergoing prostate cancer treatment, Harris mentioned, “He and I have actually been playing phone tag over the past few days.” She extended an invitation, saying, “I would encourage everyone to offer a prayer, if that is your practice, for his current well-being and health.”