As Vice President Kamala Harris steps out of the political spotlight, it seems she’s prepping her allies to brace themselves for her unpredictable political encore. With rumblings hinting at a potential grasp for the 2026 California governorship or a tentative 2028 presidential rerun, Harris, now 60, doesn’t seem to know when to quit. According to Politico, Harris has assured her inner circle that she is far from done, planning to scrutinize her political possibilities during family discussions over the holidays.
One former campaign aide seems to be indulging in Harris’ political daydreams when stating, ‘She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months.’ But beyond this optimistic declaration, speculation on Harris’ future politically remains tethered to harsh realities. The vice president seems to be in the process of charting an uncertain course for her public service career.
Optimistic betting markets have tossed around Harris’ name as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race. This race, of course, is predicted to be a chaotic scramble among both major parties. Yet, even in the oasis of hope some see for Harris, she is already trailing behind other Democrats such as former first lady Michelle Obama and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The concept of a failed presidential candidate rising like a phoenix from the ashes to claim the crown is a rarity. Donald Trump, the soon-to-be-president, is an exception to this trend. Let it not be forgotten: Harris is the first Democrat to lose the popular vote in a presidential election in a span of twenty years.
Despite her attempts at glory, Harris’ tenure in office has been marked as one of the least favorable in recent memory. Nearly half of registered voters made clear their disapproval, with an astonishing 49% shouting their negative opinion of her. In contrast, only a meager 32% saw fit to affirm they had a positive outlook towards Harris’ performance.
Yet, some are intent on painting a rosy picture for Harris’ political future. An oddly hopeful post-election poll from Echelon Insights suggested Harris could lead in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary, far surpassing Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Perhaps wishful thinking is a prerequisite for politics.
One person who might have a reason to worry is Gov. Newsom, who due to term limits may be removed from the equation, leaving what some see as a potential opening for Harris. Yet, a former Harris aide confessed, ‘Could she run for governor? Yes. Do I think she wants to run for governor? Probably not. Could she win? Definitely. Would she like the job? I don’t know. Could she run for president again? Yes.’
Apparently, learning from one’s failures isn’t a key part of Harris’ strategies. Following her embarrassing defeat handed by Trump, she chose to maintain a lower profile. From the intensity of a failed campaign to a relaxing trip to Hawaii, Harris has made a dramatic U-turn. Ironically, her vacation also ensured absentia for the ‘losers party’ at the White House, where donors and insiders milled about over the weekend.
Harris’ accidental promotion to her party’s lead role happened after President Biden’s sudden resignation from the race. With just over a hundred days to turn Biden’s sinking campaign around and redefine her image among American voters, the time pressure was on. But the clock ran out before her miracle materialized.
Determined to find her place within the Democratic Party and to formulate a counter-strategy to Trump’s second term, Harris now lingers in a political purgatory. ‘There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,’ a source with close ties to Harris stated. However, her failed presidential bid and critics’ negative reviews beg to question the weight of her voice in future political discourse.
Ahead of her departure, Harris faces a couple of important decisions – whether to nest in her home state of California or elsewhere. Perhaps in a bit of poetic justice, she will have to preside over the formal recognition of her own electoral downfall. Then, only half a year after Trump officially assumes his second term, Harris will lose her personal Secret Service protection.
It seems that Harris is notorious for her indecisiveness, which some interpret as a thoughtful approach. ‘She takes, sometimes, a painfully long time to make decisions,’ one person rightfully noted. How long will we wait for her to figure out her next political move? Only time will tell.