The former vice-president, Kamala Harris, in anticipation of her wobbly future in politics, has curiously veered off the path to tread the glossy floors of Hollywood. Harris is now undergoing representation by the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), an organization anticipated to furnish her with speaking and publishing opportunities that could potentially boost her sagging political career.
It clearly illustrates the rudderless approach of politicians like Harris when they feel the need to seek out Hollywood agencies to bolster their careers, rather than focusing on serving the public. The Hollywood Reporter has noted that CAA will also be representing former president Joe Biden, illustrating a seemingly desperate move to maintain relevance in their post-office lives.
Like other ex-presidents and vice-presidents in recent history, both Harris and Biden are hoping to pen memoirs under the CAA banner. It’s an understandable tactic to try to stay in the spotlight, despite their political failings and disappointments.
Harris, in particular, has previously published a couple of books: ‘The Truths We Hold: An American Journey’ in 2019, which preluded her initial unsuccessful presidential campaign, before her resignation and subsequent nomination to Biden’s ticket. Her 2009 publication ‘Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer’, is also noteworthy. Her vain attempt to use these as launching pads for her political career ended up as a flop.
As Harris curiously explores her future in politics or a subsequent presidential campaign in 2028, or perhaps a run for California governor in 2026, her business romance with CAA could shape up to be quite a spectacle. Raising more than $1 billion throughout her short-lived 107-day campaign, even with the unexpected drop-out by Biden in the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump, she failed to secure the win.
Since her departure from office, Harris seems bent on keeping herself visible, opportunistically showing up at the scenes of California’s deadly wildfires. Meeting with victims and volunteers, she seems to be capitalizing on the tragedy for political gains, yet failing to propose effective solutions to prevent such disasters.
On February 22, the discarded vice-president is due to make a notable public appearance at the NAACP Image Awards, possibly seeing it as a chance to repair her fractured image after her failed presidential attempt.
Conceding the 2024 race, Harris called on supporters to ‘remain in the fight’ on issues like reproductive rights, voting rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety, and environmental justice. A rather perplexing call considering the fact that her administration’s inability to make progress on those very issues led to her political demise.
Having infamously served as America’s first woman, and first Black and South Asian vice president, Harris is expected to capitalize on these historic traits to slowly re-insert herself into public life. It merely underlines her dependency on her identity rather than on her performance and merit.
Despite her political failure, Harris’s Hollywood stunt is an attempt to rally public support, considering her diminished standing amid the party and general public. With the Democratic Party exploring its strategic messaging and leadership, it’s uncertain whether they will get behind Harris again.
Indisputably, she would most likely have to navigate through a Democratic primary against other hopeful contenders, who, judging by her past performance, might stand a better chance of securing the party’s nomination. The public’s verdict on Harris’s political career remains to be seen, as she struggles with her identity as a failed presidential candidate.
On the other hand, the counterproductive move by Biden and Harris to attach their careers to the glitzy Hollywood vehicle amplifies the seeming absence of genuine political substance within them. Considering their failed political careers, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the public sees through their desperate attempts.
Moreover, the glaring lack of leadership in the Democratic Party, as exemplified by Harris’s Hollywood turn, raises a significant question. This improbable avenue of resurrecting political careers only seems to underscore the party’s failing strength.
Nevertheless, as Harris appears to be sinking her teeth into new ventures, it’s clear that her post-vice presidency is predominantly aimed at mending fences following her hugely unsuccessful political career.
In conclusion, the road to Hollywood is a symptom of declining political relevancy, and it’s no different for Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. While they may seek the limelight in other arenas, their political performance has spoken for itself—exposing weaknesses and a lack of commitment to serving the public.
Ultimately, as Harris and Biden seek to strike gold in Hollywood, it’s a glaring reminder of their profound disconnect with Americans. Whether this attempt will provide them political redemption or further magnify their poor leadership remains a concerning question for their party and the nation.