Kamala Harris says she was 'reckless' for not talking Biden out of running for second term | 7.30

Key Concepts

• Election Night Eve Shock: The emotional impact of receiving news of a campaign's failure.
• Grief for the Country: A profound sense of loss and concern for the nation's future.
• Weaponization of Government: The potential misuse of governmental agencies for political gain.
• January 6th Insurrection: Concerns about the handling and perception of the Capitol attack.
• Corporate-like Governance: The idea of treating government as a personal business.
• Foreign Policy and Flattery: The potential for international relations to be based on personal favor.
• Tax Cuts for the Wealthy: A policy often associated with prioritizing the rich over working-class needs.
• Affordable Healthcare: Policies aimed at making healthcare accessible to all.
• Recklessness in Decision-Making: The concept of acting without sufficient consideration of consequences.
• Productive Conversations: The importance of dialogue that leads to tangible outcomes.
• Capacity vs. Endurance: Distinguishing between the ability to perform a role and the stamina required for a demanding campaign.
• Marathon at Sprinter's Pace: An analogy for the intense and relentless nature of a presidential campaign.
• Misrepresentation and Disinformation: The use of false or misleading information in political campaigns.
• Authoritarian Revolution: A societal shift towards non-democratic rule.
• High Velocity Event: A rapid and deliberate implementation of a long-term plan.
• Listening Tour: A campaign strategy focused on engaging with and understanding public concerns.
• Future of Work: Concerns about job security and the evolving labor market.
• Social Media Impact: The effects of digital platforms on mental health, particularly for young people.
• Closest Presidential Election: The narrow margin of victory in a significant election.
• Commitment to Constitution and Values: The enduring principles that guide American identity.
• Nobel Peace Prize: An international award for significant contributions to peace.
• Durable Peace: A lasting cessation of conflict.
• Gaza Security, Governance, and Rebuilding: The complex post-conflict challenges in the Gaza Strip.
• Appetite for Conversation: Public interest in discussing political issues and leadership.

Election Night Eve and the Weight of the Nation

Kamala Harris recounts the profound shock and disbelief experienced on election night eve upon receiving news that her campaign would not succeed. She describes the overwhelming emotion as a "complete state of shock," with her only utterance being "my God, my God, my God." This reaction stemmed not from personal defeat, but from a deep-seated understanding of the implications for her country. She likens the feeling to a "heavier degree" of grief than when her mother died, expressing a profound "grief for my country" and a clear premonition of what was to come.

Harris elaborates on the specific concerns that fueled this distress. She knew that a potential opponent would "weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies," and that he held a different view on the January 6th events, potentially leading to the release of those involved. She anticipated government agencies being treated as extensions of a personal corporation for private benefit and foreign policy interactions being driven by "flattery and favor." Furthermore, she foresaw immediate tax cuts for the wealthy, contrasting it with a lack of appreciation for policies aimed at providing "affordable health care for working people."

The Consequence of President Biden's Decision to Run

The conversation shifts to the consequential nature of President Biden's decision to run for a second term. Harris acknowledges that there was an "impact" and states in her book that "we needed more time," suggesting that a different outcome might have been possible with a longer campaign period. She candidly admits that she views her not intervening in Biden's decision to run again as "reckless."

Harris explains her internal conflict regarding this decision. She grappled with whether her inaction was an act of "grace" or "recklessness." Ultimately, she concludes it was "reckless," believing it was a conversation she "should have raised even if it were ill-received." Her hesitation stemmed from a belief that raising the issue directly with the President would have appeared "so completely self-serving" and thus "counterproductive." She clarifies that her concern was not about questioning Joe Biden's "capacity to be president" for four more years, as she witnessed his daily engagement with world leaders. Instead, her concern was about the "energy and endurance" required for a presidential campaign, especially against a formidable opponent, describing it as running "a marathon at a sprinter's pace with tomatoes being thrown at you every step you take."

Criticisms and Reluctance Regarding Joe Biden

The interviewer presses Harris on her reluctance to directly criticize Joe Biden's "frailties" and their impact on her campaign. Harris reiterates that she "did not question Joe Biden's capacity to be president at all for four more years." However, she acknowledges that while he was not "frail as president," he "had frailties," referencing the debate as an example where he had "difficulty marshalling his thoughts." She maintains that she has answered the question about his ability to endure the rigors of a presidential race, stating, "I have answered that question."

Harris expresses frustration with the focus on Joe Biden, stating, "The book is not about Joe Biden." She emphasizes that her book is about the "107 days" and her experience, aiming to provide "a certain sense of closure" and ensure her voice is part of the historical record of an "unprecedented election." She highlights the significance of a sitting vice president taking up the mantle against a former president with only 107 days to campaign.

The Purpose and Offerings of the Book

Harris explains the dual purpose of her book: to provide closure on the 107-day campaign and to ensure her perspective is recorded in history. She emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the election, where a sitting vice president had to step in with limited time against a long-standing former president. She also addresses the anger some might feel that former President Biden still claims he would have won, stating her focus is on the present.

Regarding the current state of America, which the interviewer describes as potentially undergoing an "authoritarian revolution," Harris offers a practical perspective from her book. She points out that "one-third of the electorate voted for the current president. One-third voted for me and one-third did not vote." This statistic, she argues, is crucial for the world to understand when trying to comprehend events in America. She also highlights that the election was the "closest presidential election in the 21st century," suggesting that a majority of Americans do not necessarily prioritize the current administration's agenda. She asserts that the American people retain a "commitment to our constitution, the constitution of the United States and to the values and principles that we have projected." The book also serves to remind people of moments when tens of thousands mobilized around issues like affordable childcare, paid family leave, and international concerns like Ukraine and Russia.

Foreign Affairs and the Middle East

The discussion turns to foreign affairs, an area of Harris's extensive experience. She acknowledges that Donald Trump has been "successful at least in stopping the full-scale war in the Middle East and bringing the hostages home," admitting this was not what she or others predicted. She applauds the hostages' release and the ceasefire, giving credit to Egyptians, Qataris, and President Trump for the agreement, while noting it may be temporary. However, she stresses that "there is still more work to be done" and that the "day after" considerations for enduring peace in Gaza, including security, governance, and rebuilding, have not been sufficiently addressed. She suggests that determining who is "worthy of what kind of prize" will depend on how these complex elements play out.

The Listening Tour and Future Aspirations

Harris describes her current "listening tour" as a way to connect with people and understand their immediate needs. She states that people want to know that leaders are "listening" and "heard." She has spoken with young people concerned about the "future of work" and Gen Z's uncertainty about career paths, as well as parents worried about the "mental health and the impact of social media on their children." She emphasizes that people want a government that is "responsive to their everyday needs."

When asked if she is preparing to take a leadership role against Donald Trump, Harris explains that part of the work involves helping people articulate what is happening, describing the current situation as a "high velocity event" and the "swift implementation of a plan that has been decades in the making." She stresses that this agenda is "much bigger than that one person in the White House."

Addressing the comparison to Hillary Clinton's post-election tour, Harris states she is not focused on a comeback at this point, but on her book tour and engaging with the public. She acknowledges the potential challenge of her "long association with Joe Biden" and whether it would make it "impossible for you to run again." However, she points to the tens of thousands of people attending her book tour events as evidence of an "appetite for this conversation." When directly asked if there is an appetite for Kamala Harris as president, she concludes, "We will see if I choose to run."