Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina recently expressed his belief that Kamala Harris remains a formidable political figure despite her unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid.
During an interview on Friday, prompted by questions regarding a New York Times report suggesting Harris is considering another run for office – potentially for the White House in 2028 or the California governorship in 2026 – Clyburn stated he wouldn’t offer direct advice to the former Vice President. However, he unequivocally praised her abilities.
“I think she is a tremendous talent,” Clyburn asserted. “I believe she ran a strong campaign, but she was undeniably disadvantaged by the choices made within her team.” He further suggested that valuable insights were overlooked, referencing advice from figures like former President Bill Clinton and his own observations from traveling through rural communities.
Clyburn emphasized Harris’s potential for future success: “She was a great candidate, and I firmly believe she will be again, regardless of what office she chooses to pursue.”
Harris’s team declined to comment on Clyburn’s remarks.
A recently released book, “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House,” provides a behind-the-scenes account of Harris’s campaign and reaction to her defeat. Author Amie Parnes reported that Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, were “completely shocked” by the outcome, believing they had a strong chance of victory.
According to Parnes, some campaign staffers felt misled about Harris’s prospects, having been assured things were progressing favorably prior to the election. The authors write that this created a sense of being “gaslit” regarding the candidate’s chances.
In conversations with friends following her loss, Harris reportedly expressed confidence that she could have secured victory had the campaign timeline been different—specifically if she had entered the race earlier or if President Biden hadn’t sought re-election. As Parnes noted:
“She could have won, she told friends, if only the election was later in the calendar – or she got in earlier.”
The book’s account paints a picture of unexpected shock and subsequent reflection on what might have been.
- Harris and Walz believed they were going to win the election.
- Staffers felt misled regarding Harris’s chances.
- Harris attributes her defeat, in part, to factors outside of her control, such as the timing of the election or Biden’s decision to run for re-election.
