Kamala Harris is facing scrutiny as she promotes her book, “107 Days,” reflecting on her brief and turbulent campaign. Despite significant financial backing and overwhelming support from a loyal voter base, the former vice president fell short, losing every swing state and the popular vote—an unprecedented outcome for a Democrat in over two decades. Her memoir, intended to shed light on her experience, has instead sparked criticism and left many questioning her political future.
Harris had every advantage. She started with a staggering $1.5 billion in funding and the backing of tens of millions of voters ready to support her against divisive political figures. Yet, the reality of her campaign underscores a glaring failure. Harris’s narrative in her book reveals a mix of blame and victimhood rather than accountability. “107 Days” has largely been interpreted as a deflection of responsibility.
One striking example is her recounting of failed attempts to secure endorsements, notably from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who supposedly dismissed her request with a curt text saying he was “hiking.” This episode suggests a lack of political savvy and depth in her connections, which might have been vital for her campaign. In her book, she paints a picture of a political landscape that failed her, claiming that America wasn’t “ready” for her preferred running mate, Pete Buttigieg—a sentiment that some readers have found unconvincing and self-serving.
Bill Maher, a vocal critic of Harris, did not hold back during a recent episode of his show. He labeled her memoir a “victim’s title,” suggesting that the narrative she presents—that of a conquered hero—is disingenuous. Maher quipped that with such resources at her disposal, it is baffling how she could attribute her failure to any external factors. With his usual sharp wit, he remarked, “Yeah, and a billion and a half dollars and a built-in army of about 75 million people who’d vote for any human-adjacent life form that wasn’t Trump,” highlighting the disconnect between her resources and her campaign’s performance.
Moreover, Maher challenged the notion that Harris’s losses were due to circumstances outside her control. He stated, “If Kamala is to blame anyone, it has to start with herself.” This perspective emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in politics. Harris’s insistence that she wouldn’t have changed anything about her campaign strategy reveals a troubling resignation to failure that may alienate potential supporters and allies.
The aftermath of Harris’s campaign is telling. She has angered numerous allies, and her perceived inability to face her shortcomings is raising doubts about her future in politics. The conclusion of her campaign was less of a graceful exit and more akin to a missed opportunity that Harris failed to capitalize on. As her memoir reveals, it was said an aide removed the words “Madam President” from the cupcakes on election night—a scene Maher playfully compared to a rom-com where the lead character gets everything wrong and ultimately fails.
In the end, Harris’s biggest hurdle appears to be the unflattering light her own narrative casts on her political acumen. With serious criticisms from her peers and an increasingly challenged public image, her political aspirations may be in jeopardy. Maher’s commentary, filled with both humor and harsh truths, resonates as a stark reminder that political success is not merely about backing or support; it requires self-awareness, decisiveness, and an ability to confront and learn from one’s failures.
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