Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a 2028 presidential campaign or a 2026 gubernatorial run in her home state of California. However, her potential political ambitions are already facing criticism from within her own party. During an interview on Newsmax’s National Report, Democratic strategist Theryn Bond emphatically urged Harris not to pursue the presidency again, pleading, “Please don’t.”
Following her loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election, Harris has reportedly told close associates she’s “staying in the fight,” fueling speculation about her next move. According to sources, Harris has been instructing her advisers to keep her options open for future runs, including a possible bid for governor in California or another shot at the White House in 2028.
During the interview, host Emma Rechenberg asked Bond if Harris should continue her political ambitions. “Not to run for president again in 2028, please don’t,” Bond responded. While acknowledging that Harris might still find support for a gubernatorial campaign in California, she was clear that another presidential run would be a mistake.
“If she is relying on those same advisers that advised her this cycle, that’s not who I would listen to,” Bond added, signaling her doubts about Harris’ current team and their strategy.
Republican strategist Luke Ball echoed Bond’s sentiments, suggesting that Harris’ only viable path forward might be a gubernatorial campaign in California. “I think she might have a hand up in California because I think that’s one of the only states where she might actually have an edge,” Ball said.
However, Ball dismissed Harris’ chances on the national stage, stating, “If she ran anywhere else in the country, I don’t think she’d be able to get elected to dog catcher, unfortunately.”
Ball also criticized the Democratic National Committee’s spending decisions during the 2024 campaign, which he argued contributed to Harris’ defeat. He cited lavish expenditures, such as paying celebrities and non-essential costs, as evidence of poor resource management.
“If I’m a donor, if I’m a Democrat, I’m looking at this race and the aftermath, and I’m seeing that we’re paying millions of dollars to celebrities to astroturf the campaign instead of spending that money on critical resources,” Ball remarked.
Harris’ campaign reportedly ended in debt, with reports suggesting a shortfall of up to $20 million despite raising over $1 billion. Trump, who trolled Harris over her financial woes, sarcastically offered support to the Democrats during their “difficult period.”
“I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2020 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didn’t have lots of $’s left over,” Trump wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do.”
Trump’s comments highlighted the stark contrast between the financial management of his campaign and Harris’. Despite being outraised by Harris, Trump secured a commanding electoral college victory and even captured the popular vote.
The criticism of Harris’ potential candidacy underscores the challenges facing the Democratic Party as it regroups after a resounding defeat. Ball suggested that the party needs to reevaluate its leadership and strategies to remain competitive in future elections.
“We have to have a come-to-Jesus meeting and figure out, number one, who the heck is the leader of our party?” Ball said. “Number two, what sort of drastic changes are we going to make to position ourselves to come up in this next midterm election?”
Bond agreed, emphasizing that Harris’ 2028 presidential aspirations would not only be ill-advised but could also hinder the party’s efforts to rebuild its image and strategy.
As speculation about her political future grows, Harris finds herself at a crossroads. A gubernatorial campaign in California may be a safer path, leveraging her high name recognition in the state. However, a second presidential bid would likely face significant skepticism, even from within her own party.
The Democratic Party, still reeling from its 2024 losses, must decide whether Harris represents its future or if a new generation of leaders is needed to chart a different course. For now, Harris’ next steps remain uncertain, but her decision will undoubtedly shape the party’s trajectory in the years to come.
With figures like Bond and Ball openly questioning her viability, Harris faces a tough road ahead if she chooses to stay in the national spotlight. Whether she will heed the advice to step aside or forge ahead remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Democratic Party’s path forward is anything but straightforward.
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