The recent book tour of Kamala Harris has sparked a wave of nostalgia, though not for her leadership.
The collective sigh of relief that Harris did not emerge victorious in the November election, becoming the 47th President, is palpable. The fact that she did not secure the popular vote either is a small consolation in the face of the current economic climate.
However, it does spare us from enduring four years of complaints about Donald Trump's lack of popular election and the ensuing calls for reform.
The focus of discontent now is Harris' new memoir, "107 Days," which chronicles the unusual 2024 campaign. The title refers to the period from when President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal due to undisclosed health issues until Harris' defeat in the general election by Trump.
The memoir's premise of insufficient time for a successful campaign is riddled with problems. The most glaring of these is the fact that voters in 2020 were well aware that Harris was not just a Vice President waiting for her boss' term to end. She was in a unique position due to the precarious health of Biden, who was later revealed to have had prostate cancer during his presidency.
Furthermore, while serving as a co-president, Harris' popularity was on par with cholera and Yugos, largely due to her perceived lack of competence.
A prime example of this was when Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of the border crisis. Her handling of the situation was alarming when she was in power and amusing when she was not. This is why "107 Days" and its accompanying book tour have been enlightening. They offer a glimpse into the woman who could have been in the White House, a prospect that left "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart speechless during his podcast interview with Harris.
Stewart had been vocal about his belief that Biden was no longer fit to be president, advocating for a "blitz primary" model. However, few politically savvy individuals considered this a viable option, leading to the tacit endorsement of Harris as a backup. The book and its promotional tour have managed to alienate both Biden supporters and critics alike. Harris' assertion that Biden's decision to run again was reckless and driven by ego has not sat well with many. Her claim that Biden was fully competent to serve, made during her interview with Stewart, was met with disbelief.
Stewart's response to Harris' distinction between running for President and being President was one of confusion. According to Harris, being a presidential candidate is like running a marathon at a sprinter's pace while dodging tomatoes. Stewart's sarcastic response underscored the difficulty of convincing people that Biden lacked the stamina to run but not to govern. This is particularly relevant given the demanding nature of the presidency, which Stewart likened to a marathon-runner's sprint with tomatoes being thrown in terms of governance.
The recent Netflix hit "A House of Dynamite," directed by Kathryn Bigelow of "The Hurt Locker," explores the decisions a President must make when faced with an imminent ICBM attack. This fictional scenario serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with the presidency.
Biden's struggles with teleprompters, inflation, and potential crises underscore the gravity of the role. Harris, however, seems to believe that the challenge lies in running for office rather than in holding it. Her lack of understanding is further highlighted by her admission of not having visited Europe and her failure to grasp the point being made.
The return of Kamala Harris in the form of her book tour has been a source of amusement, but not of longing for her leadership. The collective sentiment is one of relief that she is not in a position of power, a sentiment that is echoed by many, according to Western Journal.
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