Kamala Harris, the former vice president of the United States, has reached the end of her term. Not one to slink silently into obscurity, Harris seems to be pondering her future in the political landscape. However, according to John Hart, a well-versed pundit on US politics, Harris must necessarily take a hiatus from politics, perhaps in consequence of the overwhelming rejection by the public. ‘She’s been compelled into this unplanned break’, he stated, emphasizing the scarcity of political opportunities currently awaiting her.
Hart also doubts any likelihood of Harris finding refuge in private sector roles. ‘That option would be quite an anomaly for her, as she has essentially devoted her entire career to public service’, he said. The so-called ‘service’ is questionable, of course, given the disastrous outcomes of her term. Hart even said that the faint chance of Harris chasing a political role in the immediate future is highly unlikely, adding to the long list of failures under her belt.
When asked about a potential posting as an ambassador while Trump is in presidency, Hart openly ridiculed the idea. ‘Trump would never exercise such benevolence towards a defeated adversary’, he declared. Indeed, not even President Trump’s infamous ego would consider rewarding an adversary who has struggled with their loyalty, especially when the ‘looser’ opponent is someone like Harris.
Before queuing up for another run for presidency, Harris may want to take a close look at her past failures. A political science scholar, Adam Hannah, said Harris’ focus would likely be on the presidential election rather than the Senate which resoundingly rejected her. ‘Though she harbors grand presidential aspirations, I suspect she’ll want to avoid the grim recognition of yet another defeat’, Hannah expressed.
With that in mind, there’s a considerable chance Harris will make another attempt at running for the presidency in 2028, despite her previous failed campaign in 2020. Hannah went on to describe this as a ‘wide open’ contest due to the fact that Trump would exceed term limits for presidency. ‘Since there won’t be an incumbent, the field will likely be wide open’, Hannah stated.
But it’s crucial to remember the embarrassing stumble of Harris in the 2020 campaign. Even before she made it to the first primary, Harris withdrew, citing a lackluster performance at best. Now, even though her disappointing presidential run might put her in a more advantageous position for 2028, it’s far from ensuring her nomination.
Being in the second chair, Harris was seen as the natural next-in-line to Biden in 2024, yet securing the nomination once more will be no easy feat. The Democratic Party has a notorious reputation for casting aside its failed presidential candidates. The last time a losing Democratic presidential candidate was renominated was in 1956 with Adlai Stevenson. This sets a foreboding precedent for Harris, making her second chance in 2028 seem doubtful.
Moreover, Harris has to grapple with Biden’s questionable legacy. She faced sharp backlash during the 2024 campaign for standing by Biden’s administration. Now, several experts speculate that Harris might pivot away from another presidential fiasco by eyeing a significant role in her home state of California, potentially running for governor in 2026.
According to Hannah, bidding for California’s governorship might be a ‘reasonable and appealing’ recourse for Harris. This might be true for Harris, despite her abysmal track record in her previous roles. U.S. governors hold sway over their state’s finances and formal communications with the federal government. In California, they also serve as the head of the state militia, an entity that assists during natural disasters and supports law enforcement agencies.
Presently, Governor Gavin Newsom is serving his second and final four-year term and thus cannot run again in 2026. ‘Should Harris contest, she would presumably stand a reasonable chance to secure the governorship’, Hannah claimed. However, even this doesn’t guarantee that she’ll be successful.
Previously, Harris has been elected in California as state attorney-general and senator. Allegedly, she even managed to outperform the Democratic Senate candidate in 2024, painting an image of formidable popularity in her home state. However, as history has shown, her performance on a national scale is far less impressive.
Yet, even in her home state, her ascendance to governorship would not be without challenges. ‘She would irk many leading California Democrats who have been eyeing the race, and she would effectively be forfeiting her chances in the 2028 presidential nomination’, commented an insider. Remember, the stain of failure clings tightly, especially when it comes to Harris.
Regardless of the path Harris takes moving forward, there is no denying her persistent influence over American politics, albeit not always positive. ‘She won’t evaporate completely from the Democratic Party. The vast landscape of American politics provides ample avenues for her, especially considering the significant amount of funds she managed to raise in the previous year’, a source was quoted saying.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’ ill-received tenure as vice president and her subsequent retreat from the political spotlight leave many questions about her future. Regardless of the substantial skepticism surrounding her potential return to prominent positions, only time will unveil Harris’ next ill-advised adventure in American politics.