In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s Tal Kopan, which was clearly designed as a pushing of the “reset” button, it’s what Vice President Kamala Harris didn’t say that may be the most telling.
Here’s the line from Kopan: “Harris twice did not directly answer a question about lessons she had learned and whether she wished she’d done anything differently over the past year.”
What did Harris sound off on? That the press coverage of her has been “ridiculous.”
There’s something important in there. Harris seems to be writing off her struggles as vice president – and there is no debate that she has struggled more than many thought with the duties of being second-in-command – solely to how the media has covered her.
Which is, well, missing the point. The media, of course, made some mountains out of molehills in regard to Harris – like that she prefers headphones with wires.
But, the media isn’t why two senior communications aides – Symone Sanders and Ashley Etienne – are leaving the vice president’s office after a year. Nor is it on the media that plenty of people affiliated with Harris seem comfortable openly discussing her problems with reporters.
Blaming the media for her problems might play well with her political base. But, an inability to look inward and reflect on what she could have done better this year could well impede Harris’ political rise.
The best politicians aren’t the ones who don’t make any mistakes. The best politicians are the ones who investigate any mistake they make in hopes of not making the same one again.
If you don’t think there is anything you could have done differently or better in your first year as vice president of the United States well then you are either a) perfect or b) not thinking hard enough.
The Point: Harris remains the frontrunner to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2024 or 2028. But, her first year in office – and her lack of willingness to consider what she could have done better – should set off some alarm bells for party leaders.