Jonah Patel
Kamala Harris, the first female, African-American, and Asian-American vice president of the United States, lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump. Harris's campaign was marred by controversies, including her inability to secure an interview with influential podcaster Joe Rogan. Despite amassing 75 million votes, Harris faced challenges in separating herself from President Joe Biden, who withdrew his candidacy before the election. Harris's future plans remain uncertain, but she is considering another White House bid or pursuing a different path, such as becoming California's governor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Running mate in 2024 | Minnesota governor Tim Walz |
| 2024 presidential campaign start date | July 2024 |
| 2024 election results | Conceded defeat to Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance |
| Votes received in 2024 election | 75 million |
| Electoral college votes in 2024 election | 226 |
| Popular vote percentage in 2024 election | 48.3% |
| Age in 2028 | 60 years old |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Political offices held | Vice President of the United States, United States senator representing California, Attorney General of California |
| Profession | Attorney, politician |
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What You'll Learn
- Kamala Harris lost the 2024 US presidential election
- Harris was the first female, African-American and Asian-American vice president
- Biden aides believed Harris running for president would be a mistake
- Harris is considering another White House run or becoming California's governor
- Harris's 2024 campaign was detailed in the book 'Uncharted' by Chris Whipple
Kamala Harris lost the 2024 US presidential election
Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States, announced her 2024 campaign for president on July 21, 2024. On the same day, incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for reelection and endorsed her. Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party on August 5, following a virtual roll call vote. She selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate the following day. Harris's domestic platform included support for national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, stricter gun control, and legislation to address climate change. She also supported federal cannabis legalization, strengthening voting rights, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and federal funding for housing. Harris's campaign was marked by her use of social media and digital advertising to reach younger voters and Latino voters in battleground states. She also received endorsements from several celebrities and public figures, including Puerto Rican musicians Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Fonsi, Ricky Martin, and Don Omar, as well as basketball star LeBron James.
However, Harris faced opposition from some quarters, including Arab Americans who expressed frustration with her stance on the Israel-Hamas war and the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Despite her qualifications and extensive political experience, Harris ultimately lost the 2024 US presidential election to her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, and his running mate, US Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Trump's campaign outmaneuvered Harris with deceptive advertising and effectively tapped into the support of a significant portion of the American electorate. Harris's loss prompted soul-searching within the Democratic Party, with some blaming her loss on her inability to connect with voters and the party's failure to address pressing structural and political issues.
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Harris was the first female, African-American and Asian-American vice president
Kamala Harris is a prominent American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Harris is a trailblazer, as evidenced by her groundbreaking tenure as the first female, African-American, and Asian-American vice president in US history. This significant milestone marked a pivotal step forward for women and minorities in American politics, solidifying Harris's place as the highest-ranking female and Asian-American official the country had ever seen.
Harris's path to becoming vice president was paved with dedication and a strong commitment to public service. She began her career in law, serving as a public prosecutor and working in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County. Her legal expertise and passion for justice laid the foundation for her political aspirations. In 2011, Harris took on a new challenge as she transitioned into politics, serving as the attorney general of California until 2017. During this period, she made her mark in the state's legal landscape and gained recognition for her work.
Harris's political career continued to flourish as she set her sights on higher office. In 2017, she became a United States senator representing California, a role that allowed her to advocate for the interests of her constituents on a national level. Her legislative work in the Senate further solidified her reputation as a dedicated public servant. Then, in 2020, Harris's political ambitions reached new heights when she joined the Democratic Party's ticket as Joe Biden's running mate in the presidential election.
Harris's nomination as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate was a historic moment. As the first woman and the first African-American and Asian-American person to hold this position, she inspired people from diverse backgrounds across the nation. Her nomination sent a powerful message of inclusion and representation, reflecting the changing demographics of the United States. Harris's presence on the ticket energized the Democratic base and attracted a broad spectrum of supporters.
Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding her vice-presidential candidacy, Harris's political journey encountered setbacks. During her time as vice president, she faced challenges in establishing her own political identity separate from that of President Biden. This difficulty in forging a distinct path became more pronounced during her 2024 presidential campaign, which followed Biden's withdrawal from the race. Harris's short campaign faced obstacles, ultimately resulting in a conclusive defeat in the election.
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Biden aides believed Harris running for president would be a mistake
In 2024, Kamala Harris launched her own presidential campaign and became the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election. She selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. However, she lost the election to the Republican nominees, former president Donald Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance. Harris's campaign and defeat were marred by controversies, including her inability to secure an interview with influential podcaster Joe Rogan, unlike her opponent, and her frustration with close control by former aides to Biden.
Leading up to the election, there were concerns about then-President Joe Biden's age and fitness for office. Biden eventually withdrew his candidacy from the 2024 presidential election in July, and he endorsed Harris. However, before his withdrawal, there were reportedly tensions between the Biden and Harris camps. Biden aides "aggressively" warned Democratic donors that if Biden was forced out of the election, the party would make the mistake of running Vice President Kamala Harris against Donald Trump.
According to excerpts from the book "Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House" by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, Biden aides felt that no one wanted Harris as a candidate, and that having her as the Democratic nominee would be a "mistake". They argued that Harris could not beat Trump, pointing to her polling numbers and lack of support from Democratic leaders. Despite the warnings, donors began pulling back funding, and Biden eventually dropped out of the race, leading to Harris becoming the nominee.
Harris's struggle to gain support from Democratic leaders is detailed in the book, including her desire for backing from former President Barack Obama, with whom she had not forged close ties. Obama ultimately endorsed Harris but only because opposing her could damage his standing among Democratic elites. The book also describes how opposition to Harris from grandees like Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was overridden by figures such as Congressman Jim Clyburn, who played a crucial role in securing both Biden's and Harris's places on the 2020 ticket.
Following her election loss, Harris is considering her options, which could include another White House run or a bid to become California's governor.
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Harris is considering another White House run or becoming California's governor
Kamala Harris, the former vice president of the United States, is considering running for president again in 2028. In 2024, Harris became the first female, African-American, and Asian-American vice president in US history. However, her presidential campaign that year ended in a conclusive defeat to Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio senator JD Vance.
Harris's 2024 campaign was fraught with difficulties. She struggled to separate herself from Joe Biden, whose aides warned that Harris would be a "mistake" for the Democratic Party. Biden dropped out of the race in July 2024, and Harris launched her own campaign with his endorsement. Despite this, Harris faced opposition from Democratic grandees, including former president Barack Obama and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi. She also failed to secure an interview with influential podcaster Joe Rogan and faced close control from former aides to Biden.
Harris's supporters argue that her 75 million votes in the 2024 election cannot be ignored, and she is still a viable candidate. However, her detractors claim that she was unqualified and unprepared to be president. Harris herself is in no rush to make a decision about her future plans, but she is considering a run for governor of California.
Harris has a strong connection to California, having served as a United States senator representing the state from 2017 to 2021 and as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. She was also born in Oakland, California, and began her law career in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County. While some allies acknowledge that transitioning from the vice presidency to the governor's mansion could be challenging, Harris's extensive experience in elected office and as a public prosecutor makes a gubernatorial bid a fitting option.
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Harris's 2024 campaign was detailed in the book 'Uncharted' by Chris Whipple
Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States, announced her 2024 campaign for president on July 21, 2024, the same day that incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for reelection and endorsed her. Harris's campaign was detailed in the book "Uncharted" by Chris Whipple. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the dramatic and surprising events of the 2024 presidential election, including the intra-party rebellion that forced Biden to step aside and the thrilling convention that led to Harris's nomination.
In his book, Whipple chronicles the minute-by-minute details of the campaign, including the difficult decisions made by both the Harris and Trump camps. He draws on his unique access to exclusive sources and conversations with members of both candidates' inner circles. The book also reveals how Harris's team navigated a political minefield in the weeks leading up to Biden's decision to step down, as any hint of plotting to replace the president could have been detrimental to her campaign.
"Uncharted" highlights the challenges Harris faced during her campaign, including her inability to secure interviews with influential media figures, such as podcaster Joe Rogan, and her struggle to connect with former President Obama, who initially doubted her ability to beat Trump. However, Obama eventually endorsed Harris when he saw his own position threatened. The book also describes how Harris's campaign used social media platforms like X and Instagram to reach younger voters, although this strategy spawned an entire X account dedicated to fact-checking Harris's campaign.
Whipple's book provides an intimate portrait of American politics, filled with previously untold stories and insights. It exposes the underlying weaknesses of Harris's campaign, despite her ability to rally excited voters across generations and demographics. "Uncharted" is a follow-up to Whipple's critically acclaimed book, "The Gatekeepers", which offered an in-depth look at the White House Chiefs of Staff and their influence on presidencies.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kamala Harris is not running. She lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump.
Harris is weighing her options, which could include another White House run or a bid to be California's governor.
Harris's inability to separate herself from Joe Biden, who initially sought re-election despite concerns about his age, has been cited as a reason for her loss. She also lost the blue wall states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, in addition to losing the swing states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Kamala Harris was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election. She launched her campaign in July 2024 after Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy.
