A “well-connected Democratic strategist,” speaking to the Daily Mail, indicated that Harris is likely to pursue another presidential campaign. While her ambition is certainly a driving factor, the strategist also noted that Harris has gained significant sympathy from Democratic professionals in Washington, despite initial reservations. Her 2020 campaign is described as “near flawless” by some, but others argue that she struggled to differentiate herself from President Joe Biden’s record. One strategist even likened her to a backup quarterback who entered a game too late, when the odds were already stacked against the team, breitbart reports.
Other observers have been more supportive, praising Harris for doing her best under difficult circumstances. While there are clear positives in her path, there are also significant challenges. On the plus side, Harris won more votes in the 2020 election than any presidential candidate in history, trailing only Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Moreover, the country remains deeply divided, meaning that any nominee has a roughly 50/50 chance of securing the presidency. Having come close in 2020, Harris could have another shot in 2028.
However, Harris’s political skills have been widely criticized. Despite years of public exposure, she has not shown improvement in handling unscripted situations, with many observers claiming she struggles with spontaneous challenges. One commentator compared it to repeatedly throwing a football to a cat: no matter how many attempts, the cat will never catch the ball. This lack of growth has become a consistent critique of her public persona.
Some Democrats believe Harris’s swift rise—from district attorney to U.S. Senator to Vice President—has contributed to her challenges as a candidate. One Democratic communicator suggested that Harris lacks a distinct political identity, which has led to a cautious approach that has hindered her ability to connect with voters.
For Harris to have a successful 2028 campaign, she would need to define herself more clearly and address lingering questions about her core political beliefs. Additionally, the primary process poses another challenge. While Harris currently leads in polls with 41% support among Democratic primary voters—far ahead of second-place contender Governor Gavin Newsom at 8%—her 2020 presidential campaign faltered early, before any votes were cast. Given her previous struggles, it is uncertain whether she could navigate the 2028 primaries successfully.
Even if Harris enters the race as the frontrunner, it’s likely that a strong challenge would expose her vulnerabilities once again. Primary voters, reminded of her past difficulties as a candidate, may hesitate to take the risk of supporting her.
As for whether she could improve by 2028, her age—she’ll be 60 years old by then—combined with her lack of growth so far, makes it unlikely that she’ll significantly change her political approach.
It would certainly be interesting to watch, though. Perhaps adopting a British accent could give her a boost in sounding more polished while delivering her familiar, often convoluted statements.
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