Kamala Harris said Thursday that she supports Democratic candidates who believe keeping her away from their campaigns will improve their chances in November, responding to reports that several Democrats running in states won by President Donald Trump do not want the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee campaigning alongside them.
During an interview with MS NOW’s Peter Alexander, Harris was shown a Politico headline that read, “Kamala Harris is wading into the midterms. Red state Dems want her to stay away,” and was asked to address the apparent reluctance among some members of her own party to have her involved in their races.
“Politico reports that you are wading into some of the midterms and that red state, not blue or purple state, but red state Democrats in states that Donald Trump won are encouraging you to stay away for fear it could impact their races there. Your response to some of that reporting?”
Harris responded that winning control in the midterms was more important than whether individual candidates wanted her assistance. She pointed to her experience campaigning for local, statewide and national office and said candidates themselves are best positioned to determine what will help them politically.
“Listen, Peter, we need to win, OK? Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally, I’ve run for statewide office and, obviously, nationally. And these candidates know what they need to do to win, and I would expect nothing less.
“I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve. Lower costs, affordable healthcare, affordable childcare, you name it. So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win.”
Harris was also pressed on whether her campaign appearances this year could eventually lead to another presidential bid in 2028. She declined to engage the question directly, saying, “I’m focused on ’26,” adding, “’28 doesn’t matter if we don’t win ’26.'”
Politico reported that the resistance to Harris appearing on the campaign trail extends to several closely watched races. According to the outlet, “Iowa’s two most prominent Democratic candidates have said they do not want Harris to campaign for them. Alaska’s Democratic Senate nominee rejected a fundraising solicitation Harris sent on her behalf. And a swing-district Democrat in Wisconsin and a long-shot Senate hopeful in Kansas both told Politico they would prefer Harris keep her distance.”
Among the Democrats distancing themselves from Harris is Rebecca Cooke, who is challenging Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin. Cooke has sought to appeal to working-class and conservative-leaning voters and emphasized that she performed better than Harris in her district during the 2024 election.
“I received 9,000 more votes than Harris in 2024,” said Democrat Rebecca Cooke, who is running against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin. “I don’t need anyone to come and campaign with me in my district. I do the work of building relationships — including across the aisle — on my own.”
The unease over Harris’ involvement in competitive races comes as Democrats continue debating the party’s direction following the 2024 election and how best to appeal to swing voters. Democratic consultant Julian Epstein told Fox News Digital that the tensions surrounding Harris reflect a broader problem within the party.
“The problem with postmodern Democrats is that they lack self-awareness, especially when it comes to swing voters needed to win most elections,” Epstein said.
Epstein argued that centrist Democrats view Harris as both politically ineffective and ideologically too liberal to help candidates competing in more conservative areas.
“Moderate Democrats don’t want Kamala because they think she’s an empty suit who can’t answer tough questions. They also think she’s way too far left. When confronted, Democrats have this reflex of deflecting, saying what’s really important is doubling down on a bloated welfare state, the same welfare state expansionism that failed us during the Biden years.”
Elizabeth Pipko, a former national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said the fact that Democratic candidates are publicly distancing themselves from Harris underscores the political difficulties surrounding her record and future role in the party.
“It’s a sad state of affairs when the former vice president is asked to remain off of the campaign trail because so many Democrats believe her record and unpopularity will hurt their chances in their own races. Harris’ answer was extremely weak and awkward considering she is now publicly both toying with the idea of running for president again and being rejected by members of her own party,” she said.
Pipko also pointed to Harris’ unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign, which ended before voting began in the Democratic primaries.
“We can’t forget that when Kamala Harris did in fact run for president, and her fate was left in the hands of the voters, she ended up dropping out of the 2020 Democratic primary before a single vote was cast,” she added further.
Pipko argued that Harris’ path to national prominence came through her selection as Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020 and her elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket after Biden withdrew from the 2024 race.
“Kamala Harris was never chosen by the American public to represent them nationally. She was picked by Joe Biden in 2020 after he committed to picking a woman as his vice president. And then she was handed the top of the ticket again when Biden dropped out before the 2024 election. Not only does she carry that baggage, but she knows that the American people have continuously rejected her.
“All of this also highlights the lack of leadership in the Democrat party today. Considering Biden’s age and health, she should be the obvious choice to lead the party, and yet it seems Democrats want to avoid that at all costs.”
{Matzav.com}
