On Tuesday, Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce discussed how the limited options for Democratic presidential candidates are keeping Vice President Kamala Harris relevant. After President Joe Biden unexpectedly dropped out of the 2024 race, Harris secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to former President Donald Trump, who claimed the 270 electoral votes needed for victory on November 5. Bruce noted that Harris’s prominence is largely due to the lack of strong alternatives within the Democratic Party.
“Some people are perennial candidates. She has indeed held office and performed in her role, although it’s hard to understand why she received as many votes as she did. This situation stems from the influence of legacy media and party loyalty, but it seems Americans are becoming more discerning,” Bruce stated during her appearance on “Varney and Company” with guest host Ashley Webster. “This is a woman who has risen to prominence due to the weakness of the Democratic bench. If the party were to recruit and elect more competent individuals with a clear vision, the importance and popularity of someone like Kamala Harris would likely decline.”
“However, if she chooses to run for governor in California, she might have a shot, though it’s doubtful she will pursue new opportunities,” Bruce added. “Many fail to consider that there are other paths in life. For politicians at her level, viable alternatives seem scarce, placing the onus on the Democrats. With a more capable and diverse platform of candidates, I believe she wouldn’t be in her current predicament.”
Despite her loss to Trump, Harris remains a leading contender for the Democratic nomination in 2028, according to polls from 538.com, outpacing Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Following President Biden’s announcement on July 21 that he wouldn’t seek reelection, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, largely avoided interviews and press engagements until launching a media campaign in October. A liberal commentator suggested that this might have contributed to Walz’s subpar performance in the vice-presidential debate on October 1.
Moreover, Harris decided against attending the Al Smith Dinner in person, opting to share a video featuring former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Molly Shannon instead. She also turned down an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, reportedly due to worries about potential backlash from her campaign team, a choice that may have negatively impacted her support among voters.