Why Did Kamala Harris Lose: Examining Policy, Strategy, and Public Perception

Kamala Harris poses for a portrait in Washington on Jan. 7, 2019. Photograph by Celeste Sloman, The New York Times

The 2024 Presidential Election Race was a whirlwind, full of surprises and setbacks. Before diving into why I believe Vice President Kamala Harris lost the Democratic nomination, let’s take a brief look at the key events leading up to her candidacy.

Key Dates in the 2024 Election:

July 21: President Biden announces his withdrawal and endorses Kamala Harris.

August 5: Kamala Harris is formally nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate.

August 6: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is announced as Harris’s running mate.

September 10: Harris and Donald Trump face off in a presidential debate.

September 15: Trump survives his second assassination attempt.

October 1: Vice presidential debate with J.D. Vance (R) and Tim Walz (D).

November 5: Donald Trump wins the presidential election.

Summary:

• Who Was Kamala Harris? Kamala Harris was a Vice President for 3.5 years, but many voters still didn’t fully understand who she was or what she stood for.

• Lack of Economic Vision: She didn’t clearly articulate her economic policies in a way that resonated with the broader electorate.

• Time Constraints: Harris had little time to prepare for the presidential race and had to rush into a campaign with little groundwork laid.

• Demographic Policies: Her campaign began to prioritize narrow demographic-based policies, sometimes at the expense of broader, unifying messages.

• Focus on Trump: Her campaign, rather than offering new ideas, became more about attacking Trump than advancing a robust policy agenda.

How Did We Get Here?

Biden’s health decline became more evident as he campaigned for his second term. On June 27, 2024, the world witnessed the fragility of a once-dominant leader in a pivotal debate against Donald Trump. With each passing day, concerns within the Democratic Party escalated, and a critical question emerged: Could Biden lead the party to victory in November? The overwhelming response was, “No.” Financial support plummeted, and Biden’s biggest backers began calling for him to withdraw from the race—immediately.

Understanding Kamala Harris: Who Was She to Voters?

Kamala Harris had served as the Vice President of the United States for over three years, yet to many, she remained an enigma. Of course, her achievements were notable. She was a former District Attorney of San Francisco, the first Black and South Asian woman elected as California’s Attorney General, and a U.S. Senator endorsed by former President Barack Obama. In January 2021, she became the first female Vice President of the United States. But who was Kamala Harris, really? What did she stand for beyond her career milestones, and could she connect with the broad spectrum of voters?

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, history was made when Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. With passion and poise, she inspired hope and laid out her vision for the future of America. For a brief moment, the country was captivated, ready for what seemed like a new era of leadership.

The Missing Economic Message

On paper, Kamala Harris was poised to lead. She was the embodiment of the American Dream—a woman of color, a symbol of perseverance, hard work, and discipline. Her platform included vital issues like abortion rights, mortgage assistance for first-time homebuyers, tax credits for parents of newborns, and measures to combat price gouging. However, amidst the pressing concerns of the nation, one question lingered: What was her economic policy? How would her presidency benefit someone like me—a single, educated, minority woman, homeowner without children, yet struggling to navigate a job market that felt out of sync with my skills?

The reality is, many Americans, including myself, felt that Harris’s economic policies didn’t fully address our needs. With inflation at a high, student loan debt mounting, and the pressures of owning a home in today’s market, we were left asking: When will we truly benefit from policies that promote upward mobility for hardworking individuals like myself?

The few policies aimed at first-time homebuyers or parents of newborns felt disconnected from my reality. As a homeowner in her early thirties, a large portion of my income goes to interest payments, and I’m left wondering if I will ever get ahead. My concerns are not unique. Others in my position—educated, working hard, but financially stretched—find themselves overlooked. Harris’s policies seemed more tailored to families with children or young homebuyers, yet there was little for those of us trying to stay afloat in the midst of soaring costs and an uncertain future.

The Challenge of a Short Campaign Run

Harris faced a tight timeline to launch her presidential run, quickly transitioning from Vice President to candidate. With little time to build relationships with key voter demographics, her campaign struggled to establish the deep connections that are often critical to securing widespread support. In short, the clock was against her.

A Shift Toward Demographic-Based Policies

Harris is the epitome of diversity. She’s a woman of color, Black, and South Asian. Yet, her campaign, ironically, felt disconnected from many communities she sought to represent. While demographic-based policies focusing on issues like racial justice and women’s rights are necessary, they often come across as narrow if not integrated into a broader, unifying national vision.

Rather than crafting an inclusive vision that transcended demographic lines, Harris’s campaign at times leaned too heavily on niche issues that didn’t fully address the needs of a diverse electorate. For example, the Latino vote is not monolithic. Nearly 50% of Latinos voted for Trump in the last election. Similarly, Black men—historically strong supporters of the Democratic Party—turned away from Harris. This was not solely because of divisive rhetoric, but because many of them felt disconnected from a campaign that seemed focused on issues that didn’t resonate with their own struggles, whether it be economic hardship or concerns about immigration.

A Campaign Focused on Trump Instead of Policy

It’s no secret that political campaigns often revolve around contrasting candidates. But Harris’s campaign seemed too focused on defining itself in opposition to Trump, rather than clearly articulating her vision for the future. It became all about what the “other guy” was doing—rather than offering bold, actionable policies that could set her apart.

While her Democratic nomination speech was inspiring, it wasn’t enough to overcome a narrative that often felt more like an anti-Trump campaign than one grounded in clear, forward-thinking solutions. The challenge for Harris was that in an era of division, defining yourself purely by opposition leaves little room for establishing your own political identity. Her message lacked the boldness and clarity needed to win over moderates and independents who were looking for real solutions, not just a critique of the other side.

What Can We Learn Moving Forward?

Kamala Harris’s campaign may not have been successful, but it was undeniably historic. She broke barriers as the first woman of color to secure the presidential nomination of a major party. While she didn’t win the presidency, her candidacy was a stepping stone for future generations of leaders who will follow in her path.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson we can take from Harris’s run is the importance of clarity in leadership. Future leaders must be able to articulate a unified, compelling vision—one that speaks not only to their core base but to the broader electorate. Harris’s platform, while rich in diversity and inclusion, lacked the cohesion necessary to unite the nation. The next wave of leaders must take these lessons to heart. They must move beyond demographic-specific policies and speak to the shared values that unite us all.

Ultimately, Kamala Harris’s candidacy will serve as a reminder of what’s possible and what still needs to be done. She may not have secured the highest office in the land, but her campaign set a precedent. The future belongs to those who are clear, bold, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

-365 Days of Shade