In her new memoir, “107 Days,” former Vice President Kamala Harris shares insights about her short-lived presidential campaign and the preparations she made for a successful transition to the White House. She emphasizes the careful planning that surrounded her candidacy, particularly regarding her choice for chief of staff, Denis McDonough.
Harris, candid about her expectations, noted that 107 days “were not, in the end, long enough to accomplish the task of winning the presidency.” Despite her team’s meticulous preparations, she expressed a somber revelation: “We’d planned for everything, it seemed, except the actual result.” This admission captures a deep sense of astonishment and disappointment—a sentiment echoed throughout the final days of her campaign.
McDonough, a seasoned political operative, was her preferred choice for chief of staff. Harris described him as a “deeply caring man who doesn’t mince words.” She believed he could lead a disciplined administration, leveraging his extensive experience as former chief of staff under Barack Obama and more recently as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Harris reflected on their bond, recalling a joint public event where they brought cookies to nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such anecdotes humanize her narrative, bringing forth the personal connections that framed her journey.
Yet, as election night unfolded, Harris recounted the chaos that ensued when results began to reveal Trump’s victory. A detailed account describes how her social secretary, Storm Horncastle, had to transition celebratory preparations into a more subdued atmosphere. Horncastle’s decision to hide the “Madame President” cupcakes illustrates the abrupt shift in morale and the gravity of the moment. “She quietly went to the kitchen and hid all signs of celebratory preparation,” Harris wrote, a stark illustration of a campaign that faced an unexpected end.
In these pages, Harris reflects on the dissonance between rigorous planning and the shock of an unforeseen defeat. Her faction of the campaign had prepared for various scenarios, including complications arising from Trump’s supporters. However, nothing had prepared them for the reality of loss. “But we didn’t expect to lose,” she candidly admitted, encapsulating the disbelief that permeated her campaign’s final days.
The book also touches on the poignant backdrop of Harris’s political career and personal evolution. The experience of losing shaped her understanding of public service and her role within the political landscape. The narrative does not shy away from highlighting the emotional toll of campaigning, particularly the disappointment felt after what was anticipated to be a milestone achievement. Harris’s journey prompts readers to reflect on the unpredictability of politics and the human element involved in such high-stakes endeavors.
Ultimately, Harris’s memoir serves as an introspective account of ambition and resilience. It sheds light on the complexities of political campaigns and the personal lives intertwined with public service. With her candid reflections, she invites readers into the moments of hope and despair that marked her campaign, revealing the stark realities faced by those striving for leadership on the national stage.
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