On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris released her highly anticipated memoir, 107 Days, detailing the whirlwind journey that ultimately culminated in her election loss. In this revealing book, Harris argues that with more time and fewer distractions from then-President Joe Biden's staff, she could have mounted a stronger challenge. She points to the continuous stream of negative news cycles as a significant hurdle, believing that some of that pressure stemmed from Biden's inner circle.
Harris highlights three pivotal moments that defined those crucial 107 days leading up to the election. Each of these moments illustrates the challenges she faced and her reflections on the political landscape.
One of the most striking anecdotes in Harris's memoir is her account of a pre-debate phone call with Biden before her first—and only—debate against Donald Trump. Just moments before she was set to take the stage, Harris received a call from Biden, which she initially assumed would serve as a pep talk. However, she describes the interaction as lacking warmth and focus. Instead of boosting her confidence, Biden quickly shifted the conversation to address rumors that some influential figures in Philadelphia were hesitant to support her, claiming she had spoken negatively about him. Harris felt blindsided by this concern, questioning why Biden would choose that moment to raise such issues. "I couldn't understand why he would call me, right now, and make it all about himself," she writes, expressing her frustration at being distracted by worries about political insiders just before a high-pressure debate.
In her memoir, Harris also opens up about the process of selecting her running mate. She reveals that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was her first choice, but she felt that their identities as a woman of color and a gay man, respectively, could be perceived as liabilities to the electorate. In a response to her comments, Buttigieg expressed surprise, stating, "I just believe in giving Americans more credit than that." Harris elaborates on her vetting process for candidates like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. While she found Shapiro articulate and personable, she noted that he held unrealistic expectations for the vice presidency, expressing a desire to be involved in every decision. Harris bluntly told him that such expectations were not suitable for the role, emphasizing that a vice president is not a co-president. An aide also reported that Shapiro seemed concerned about remaining 'invisible' during the vetting process, further complicating her impression of him.
In response to Harris's comments, Shapiro's spokesperson dismissed the notion that he was focused on anything other than defeating Trump, asserting that his commitment to the Harris-Walz ticket was unwavering.
Another moment that Harris reflects on is her appearance on The View, which she initially thought was going well until it took a turn for the worse. During the interview, she faced backlash for stating that she couldn't think of anything she would do differently than Biden. Harris recounts feeling comfortable in the setting, but when pressed about her potential actions, she inadvertently responded with, "There is not a thing that comes to mind." This admission became a focal point for criticism, and she describes it as having "pulled the pin on a hand grenade," unaware of the fallout that would ensue. Her answer quickly became fodder for the Trump campaign, which utilized the moment in advertisements to link her to an unpopular president.
Following her appearance, Trump seized the opportunity to deride her, labeling her response as her "dumbest answer" yet and criticizing her for appearing inept. Harris's reflections on this experience highlight the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by politicians, particularly in the context of a highly contentious election.
In 107 Days, Kamala Harris provides readers with an in-depth look at her experiences during a critical time in American politics. By sharing her insights into the challenges she faced, from high-pressure debates to the complexities of choosing a running mate, Harris aims to underscore the importance of resilience and adaptability in the political arena. Her memoir serves not only as a personal account but also as a reflection on the broader political landscape during a tumultuous election season.
