Thank you, Kristoffer, for articulating a thoughtful reflection on what happened in the past election. All of the comments prior express many of my exact feelings and thoughts and I appreciate their contributions and your responses.
I don't understand why the Democratic leadership is floundering so much, especially as so many people around the country are willing to keep fighting back and make their voices heard. We the People want to fight, and yet the Democratic leadership can't put together a coherent message or even unite as a party to stand up to the unbelievable destruction of our democracy that's happening every single day, right in front of our eyes.
I look forward to reading more from you. Thank you again. Your perspective is valuable. 💜
Thank you so much for this comprehensive essay on Kamala Harris. During the campaign it was infuriating that people refused to acknowledge all of the elections she had won before becoming VP, that she had garnered more votes in her career than 90% of those who were criticizing her. She also had more education and achievements than 90% of the critics. It did take incredible courage and faith to run as a bi-racial woman especially under the horrible circumstances in which the Dems placed her. Why do the pundits never mention that she came within 1.5% of beating a man who had been campaigning for 10 years? That was a win in my book. So sick of Dems "eating their own" and not knowing how to win.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Roberta—I really appreciate you taking the time to engage with the piece.
You’re absolutely right: Kamala had more electoral wins, more qualifications, and more resilience than 90% of the people criticizing her. The refusal to acknowledge her actual record was infuriating. And the fact that she came within 1.5% of beating a man who had a 10-year head start? That’s not a failure—that’s a testament to her strength and ability.
It really does take courage and faith to run as a biracial woman under conditions where your own party barely has your back. And yet she still showed up. I’m also sick of Democrats eating their own instead of learning how to build and win.
If you stick around, I promise you—I’ve got more fire to bring. Thank you again for seeing what so many people refuse to. Your words mean a lot.
Thank you for your analysis and perspective. Because Trump questioned the 2020 election Democrats felt they could not question the legitimacy of the 2024 election where there were bomb threats in multiple voting polls in GA, PA, MI and 8 hour lines in parts of PA. Add to that the voter roll purges in TX and GA. Never mind the algorithm fueled misinformation about Biden, Harris, Democrats in general and the selling of the myth that our economy was a disaster that the GOP who has driven us into the ditch in 2008, 2020 and now 2025 could fix.
I hope we can right this ship and we will need to come together with folks we mostly agree with. At this point no purity test is going to help stop and reverse all the damage we are experiencing.
Thank you so much for this, Laura—your comment is incredibly insightful and appreciated.
You’re absolutely right about the trap Democrats fell into. Because Trump undermined the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Democrats became overly cautious in 2024—terrified of being seen as doing the same. Meanwhile, the GOP used that fear to their advantage, unleashing chaos at the polls: bomb threats, voter roll purges, and hours-long lines strategically concentrated in critical states like GA, PA, MI, and TX. It wasn’t just suppression—it was sabotage cloaked in silence.
And yes, the misinformation campaigns—fueled by algorithms and enabled by a media ecosystem allergic to complexity—did real damage. The constant narrative that Biden and Harris were somehow responsible for economic decline, when the GOP created most of these messes, was one of the most infuriating aspects of this cycle.
You nailed the core of it: no purity test is going to fix this. We need to work with people who share the core values of democracy, equity, and truth—even if we don’t agree on every detail. Otherwise, we keep losing ground to those who have no such hang-ups.
Thank you again for commenting. You brought clarity and truth with this one.
Love, love, love this! Thank you for writing it. I am still of the opinion that the Dems that chose to sit out just may have shown up for Joe. And those that moved to Trump may not have. Now, does that excuse them for their sexism or racism? NO! (I've asked this question of many but there is no one that was willing to think it through, like you did, and just gave me the stupid talking points going around). But that's our ugly in America. I will NEVER watch another Clooney movie or anything he is in again. It was a horrific picture the Democrats painted of themselves in how they treated Joe. I'm only giving Barack a break because he ultimately stumped for Kamala. Here again, I will not follow or promote anything put out by the Obama Bros. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for reading, Claudia—and for this passionate, honest, and thoughtful comment.
I think you’re absolutely right that a good chunk of those who sat out might have shown up for Biden. And I agree—it doesn’t excuse the racism or sexism behind a lot of the pushback Harris got, but it does explain why so many people twisted themselves into knots trying to justify it. The talking points were lazy because they were never meant to hold up—they were just a cover for deeper discomfort with who she is and what she represents.
You’re also right that the way the Democrats treated both Biden and Harris painted an ugly picture. The party projected their fears onto their own nominee and then acted shocked when that fear became the dominant narrative.
And as for Clooney—trust me, I’ve heard that sentiment from more people than I expected. A lot of folks aren’t just disappointed—they’re done. The betrayal hit a nerve, and people are drawing real lines.
I’m grateful you brought this perspective. It’s exactly the kind of clarity we need right now. Thank you again for engaging with the piece and for not backing down from uncomfortable truths.
Well, at least Clooney finally found a role where he didn’t have to act—just stand there and sell out. Man went from Batman & Robin to Polls & Donors real fast. Thanks for reading.
There is abundant evidence that several billionaire-owned tech companies colluded to tilt the vote toward the Evil Moron in seven key swing states. It is possible and it is probable. Let's stop licking our wounds and play their game. Challenge the vote. Launch a full-scale investigation. They may have disproven the trump claim in 2020, but I suspect the results of this investigation will be different.
Thank you for this, Steve. I don’t necessarily disagree—I’ve read Greg Palast’s work and I’m well aware of how deep the voter suppression tactics go. From roll purges to hours-long lines to sudden “machine failures” in key districts, it’s not paranoia—it’s documented strategy.
That said, the challenge with launching a full-scale investigation now is that it would run head-first into every legal, political, and media hurdle imaginable. It would be painted as retaliation, chaos-inducing, and a “both sides” circus—even if the data were rock solid. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. But it does mean the groundwork should’ve started a long time ago.
Where I fully agree with you is on this: Democrats need to stop strategizing like they have time. They don’t. The next candidate needs to be selected with intention, fully backed from day one, and surrounded by a party that actually understands how to fight—not panic and bail when the heat turns up.
We can’t afford another situation where the candidate is left to defend themselves against bad faith attacks while the party quietly tiptoes out the side door. That playbook just got us here. And it cannot happen again.
Very sound reasoning, Kristoffer. I am in total agreement that diving into a full-scale investigation will prompt all the responses you mention. But if it's painted as retaliation, so be it. Let it get out there. Retaliation is trump's raison d'etre. It, and avoiding cell time, are the primary reasons he wanted the position he now wrongly occupies. That, of course, and always coming out the winner. Daddy Fred would expect nothing less. As far as the timing, better late than never. Perhaps behind carbon-steel doors some Democrats have been taking the proper steps and waiting for the right moment to pounce. We can only hope.
Thank you so much for reading, Gil. I really appreciate the support—and you’re absolutely right, this reality has been ignored for way too long. Glad to be part of the chorus calling it out.
I appreciate your point of view, and agree with nearly everything you've written. At the risk of being presumptuous, I would add one thing to your conclusion that she deserved better. The reason the election was lost was, in the end, because of laziness. Democrats did not turn out at rates anywhere near the 2020 election.
Hell, in California alone, voter turnout was 6% less in 2024 than in 2020. Nationwide it was ~2.2% lower. If turnout had been the same in 2024 as in 2020, Trump would've gotten his ass kicked yet again. Apparently, we had better things to do on election day than to cast a ballot. As you stated, Kamala Harris deserved better.
Don’t forget about voter suppression. In California it matters less because of the sheer volume of Democrats . In places like Texas where 100,000 people are kicked if the voter rolls a month before the election under the guise of preventing fraud ( also in Florida , Louisiana, etc.) in mostly democratic leaning counties after also significantly reducing the number of polling places , how could everyone vote who wanted to ? In swing states, lawyers tried to suppress overseas voters ( especially the military - among younger military Biden won in 2020 ) to “prevent” election fraud . And there is also extreme gerrymandering in most “ red” leaning states . Pair that with everything mentioned above , and the low propensity voters who crawled out from under their rocks to cast a vote for Trump ( but nothing and nobody else on the ticket ), and we get a close loss . Maybe if she had more time to run some of the antics of the Republicans would have ultimately swayed more of the undecided voters. Regardless , I would love to see her again with a full endorsement from her party in public life ; whether it’s as a candidate for president, or diplomacy , or as a cabinet member . For now , I’m glad she has some time away from the political cesspool to enjoy her family and rest .
Stephen, thank you so much for reading and for this thoughtful, well-articulated comment.
You make a solid point—voter turnout was absolutely lower in 2024 than in 2020, and it had real consequences. The numbers in California, and nationwide, tell the story plainly. If Democratic turnout had matched 2020 levels, we likely wouldn’t be in this mess.
But here’s my main rebuttal: that three-month campaign window. That timeline cannot be overstated. Most presidential candidates spend years building infrastructure, testing messaging, and shaping public perception. Harris got handed the baton after the primaries were already over, the GOP had consolidated, and the donor class had already spent the better part of two years undermining her viability. And then people expected her to run a miracle campaign—with no margin for error.
To put that in historical perspective: Bill Clinton had a rocky rollout in 1992. Between Gennifer Flowers, draft dodging allegations, and “Slick Willie” skepticism, the media dragged him early. But Democrats gave him time to recover. He announced in October 1991, giving him nearly 13 months before Election Day—and the party rallied behind him despite the baggage. Harris had barely 90 days and got none of that unified effort.
Add in the disinformation campaign, which was relentless, especially online, and a media ecosystem that gave Trump free air to lie unchallenged while fact-checking Harris into oblivion? It created a no-win dynamic. The bar for her was sky-high, and for him, it was in a ditch.
The truth is: she theoretically could’ve won—but she would’ve needed a party fully behind her, a media willing to challenge nonsense, and a voter base that showed up with 2020-level urgency. She had none of those.
And honestly? I can absolutely envision a reality where Harris runs a prestige, progressive-approved campaign, hits every “authenticity” benchmark, says all the right things—and still loses. If a progressive tells me they can’t imagine that happening, I’d say they’re provably delusional. Because too often, we pretend that strategy alone beats structural bias. It doesn’t. And that’s exactly why this piece had to be written.
Thanks again for contributing to the conversation with real substance. I appreciate it.
We need to remember that the Trump-state-mediaverse has the larger megaphone. Add the corporate mediaverse complicity, and we lose even more. Add the billionaire class donations. Add a Willie Horton-type ad running non-stop on NFL and NCAA football broadcasts. Oh, and she is a black woman, which I feared from the onset, but based on her flawless campaign and the polls, I became convinced myself she could win.
>>"Harris had barely 90 days and got none of that unified effort."
Harris had another obstacle to overcome: Biden's campaign team. Kamala was forced to take on most of Biden's campaign team because there was no time to organize a full presidential campaign team of her own, but word is they disliked Kamala.
It was the same for the White House Biden team, they were no fans of Kamala. They sidelined her. They kept her at a distance. They gave her the worst assignments that had no chance of success.
The Biden campaign team forced Kamala to stay joined at the hip with Joe. She was forbidden to stray away, that's why when asked on The View, whether she would have done anything differently than President Biden, and she had to reply, ""not a thing comes to mind." She was anchored to a historically unpopular president with approval ratings in the 30s and she was prohibited from any criticism or any sign she'd have any daylight between her and Joe. That was significant in her election loss.
Thank you. I've been angry about this for months, and I'm grateful to you for presenting arguments against those who think they knew better than Harris.
Thank you so much for reading, Lisa. I really appreciate it. I’ve felt that same anger across all my political circles—students, professors, journalist friends—everyone was feeling it. That’s exactly why I wrote this article. I knew I wasn’t the only one who saw what was happening and felt like it needed to be said out loud.
Cheeto told a prayer breakfast audience today that he’s ready to get rid of the separation of Church and State, a defining principle of the US Constitution
As Hitler said in 1929, “We tolerate no one in our ranks who attacks the ideals of Christianity. Our movement is Christian.”
Of course this has nothing to do with separation of Church and State It has everything to do with gaining a portal of entry for Cheeto’s Nazi driven Christian Nationalist movement that the right has supported with the likes of Viktor Orban, Hungary’s dictator who has visited CPAC a couple of times and been a keynote speaker The Project 2025 playbook is to get the government to become a Christian Nationalist movement attendant with all its agenda including doing away with Women’s Reproductive Rights and abortion
Dr. Bill, I absolutely agree with everything you laid out here. The rise of Christian Nationalism is one of the most dangerous undercurrents in our politics, and the fact that it’s being mainstreamed by figures like Trump should alarm everyone—regardless of their faith.
I’ve personally been invited to several “Creationism vs. Science” debates over the years, and I always decline. Not because I’m afraid to engage, but because I refuse to give the Kirk Cameron–Ray Comfort crowd even a sliver of credibility in academic spaces. Once you treat misinformation like it deserves a podium, it gains false legitimacy—and that’s exactly what this movement feeds on.
And you’re right: if we start allowing Christianity to dictate public policy, then by that logic, other religions should have that same right. But I don’t believe that’s how a healthy democracy works. That’s why the separation of church and state exists—not to diminish religion, but to protect both government and faith from each other’s overreach.
I respect all religions deeply. But faith belongs in churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples—not in classrooms, courts, or Congress. The second we lose that boundary, we’re not protecting tradition—we’re weaponizing it.
Thank you for laying it out so clearly. These are the conversations we need to be having.
Agree we need to open these conversations to the public forum....even the non MSM groups on Substack get "trapped" in the routine news of the day without going deeper to other news areas That's what make Maddow special
Excellent article. Kamala Harris is an amazing intelligent human being who has incredible grit, perseverance and positive energy. She ran an incredibly hopeful campaign despite the many obstacles she faced. It is truly sad that so many people of this nation couldn't and can't see nor understand what is best for them. This current era of 'backward' thinking uncertainty is troubling.
Thank you so much for reading, Paulina—and for this incredibly kind and clear-eyed comment.
You’re absolutely right—Kamala Harris ran with grit, intelligence, and an undeniable sense of hope, even when the odds were stacked against her. It’s wild how often that gets dismissed, especially when you consider the real obstacles she faced—not just politically, but culturally.
And yes, it is deeply troubling that so many people couldn’t (or wouldn’t) recognize what she offered. This moment of backwards thinking isn’t just political—it’s psychological. We’ve somehow normalized rejecting highly capable leaders simply because they don’t fit some outdated ideal.
I truly appreciate your support and your words. Comments like yours remind me why I keep writing.
Thank you for reminding me that America could have been a much better place if Harris had won. The useless bobbleheads of corporate medias said she smiled too much, she laughed to much, she wasn't nominated in a traditional fashion, he was in a mixed race marriage with a Jew! Media sanewashed a twice impeached, convicted felon who was held liable for sexual assault and punished Harris for being too normal. Harris was the best America had to offer, but instead America took the path into the dark past. America said, better the devil I know than the angel that stands before me... The price paid for that bad decision is and will be steep.
Thank you for this, MPT. You captured the frustration so many of us feel with brutal accuracy. Everything you said—from the media’s shallow critiques of Harris’s demeanor to the way they sanitized a twice-impeached felon—is exactly what’s been weighing on people who actually paid attention.
She really was the best America had to offer: intelligent, prepared, steady—and yes, normal. And yet the country chose the devil it knew, not because he was better, but because he was louder and more familiar to the systems that benefit from chaos.
I’m grateful you saw what she brought to the table. Thank you for engaging with the piece and speaking so clearly about the cost of choosing spectacle over substance.
Thank you for the kind words. You put it perfectly with ' the cost of choosing spectacle over substance.' A large minority of Americans are easily manipulated by right wing media and lying 'be afraid of anyone who isn't a white man' politicians. Sad;y, they will be punished economically by standing by their man. Maybe the economic pain they feel will finally break the trump cult spell. Maybe...
Great article. She deserved much better. She ran an excellent campaign especially compared to the eating dogs opponent. This country is living in a propaganda driven fake world.
Thank you so much for reading, Paul. You nailed it—she absolutely ran a strong campaign, especially given the circus she had to run against. When the media lets someone lie freely and spin reality while holding her to impossible standards, it becomes propaganda by design. You’re right—we’re living in a fake world where truth is treated like opinion, and opinion is treated like fact. I’m grateful you saw what she was really up against.
It's incredibly sad that anyone could vote for Trump or Vance and it just keeps getting worse every day. Thanks for fighting against the liars and defending the people like Kamala who fought the good fight.
Thank you, Kristoffer, for articulating a thoughtful reflection on what happened in the past election. All of the comments prior express many of my exact feelings and thoughts and I appreciate their contributions and your responses.
I don't understand why the Democratic leadership is floundering so much, especially as so many people around the country are willing to keep fighting back and make their voices heard. We the People want to fight, and yet the Democratic leadership can't put together a coherent message or even unite as a party to stand up to the unbelievable destruction of our democracy that's happening every single day, right in front of our eyes.
I look forward to reading more from you. Thank you again. Your perspective is valuable. 💜
Thank you so much for this comprehensive essay on Kamala Harris. During the campaign it was infuriating that people refused to acknowledge all of the elections she had won before becoming VP, that she had garnered more votes in her career than 90% of those who were criticizing her. She also had more education and achievements than 90% of the critics. It did take incredible courage and faith to run as a bi-racial woman especially under the horrible circumstances in which the Dems placed her. Why do the pundits never mention that she came within 1.5% of beating a man who had been campaigning for 10 years? That was a win in my book. So sick of Dems "eating their own" and not knowing how to win.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Roberta—I really appreciate you taking the time to engage with the piece.
You’re absolutely right: Kamala had more electoral wins, more qualifications, and more resilience than 90% of the people criticizing her. The refusal to acknowledge her actual record was infuriating. And the fact that she came within 1.5% of beating a man who had a 10-year head start? That’s not a failure—that’s a testament to her strength and ability.
It really does take courage and faith to run as a biracial woman under conditions where your own party barely has your back. And yet she still showed up. I’m also sick of Democrats eating their own instead of learning how to build and win.
If you stick around, I promise you—I’ve got more fire to bring. Thank you again for seeing what so many people refuse to. Your words mean a lot.
Thank you for your analysis and perspective. Because Trump questioned the 2020 election Democrats felt they could not question the legitimacy of the 2024 election where there were bomb threats in multiple voting polls in GA, PA, MI and 8 hour lines in parts of PA. Add to that the voter roll purges in TX and GA. Never mind the algorithm fueled misinformation about Biden, Harris, Democrats in general and the selling of the myth that our economy was a disaster that the GOP who has driven us into the ditch in 2008, 2020 and now 2025 could fix.
I hope we can right this ship and we will need to come together with folks we mostly agree with. At this point no purity test is going to help stop and reverse all the damage we are experiencing.
Thank you so much for this, Laura—your comment is incredibly insightful and appreciated.
You’re absolutely right about the trap Democrats fell into. Because Trump undermined the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Democrats became overly cautious in 2024—terrified of being seen as doing the same. Meanwhile, the GOP used that fear to their advantage, unleashing chaos at the polls: bomb threats, voter roll purges, and hours-long lines strategically concentrated in critical states like GA, PA, MI, and TX. It wasn’t just suppression—it was sabotage cloaked in silence.
And yes, the misinformation campaigns—fueled by algorithms and enabled by a media ecosystem allergic to complexity—did real damage. The constant narrative that Biden and Harris were somehow responsible for economic decline, when the GOP created most of these messes, was one of the most infuriating aspects of this cycle.
You nailed the core of it: no purity test is going to fix this. We need to work with people who share the core values of democracy, equity, and truth—even if we don’t agree on every detail. Otherwise, we keep losing ground to those who have no such hang-ups.
Thank you again for commenting. You brought clarity and truth with this one.
Love, love, love this! Thank you for writing it. I am still of the opinion that the Dems that chose to sit out just may have shown up for Joe. And those that moved to Trump may not have. Now, does that excuse them for their sexism or racism? NO! (I've asked this question of many but there is no one that was willing to think it through, like you did, and just gave me the stupid talking points going around). But that's our ugly in America. I will NEVER watch another Clooney movie or anything he is in again. It was a horrific picture the Democrats painted of themselves in how they treated Joe. I'm only giving Barack a break because he ultimately stumped for Kamala. Here again, I will not follow or promote anything put out by the Obama Bros. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for reading, Claudia—and for this passionate, honest, and thoughtful comment.
I think you’re absolutely right that a good chunk of those who sat out might have shown up for Biden. And I agree—it doesn’t excuse the racism or sexism behind a lot of the pushback Harris got, but it does explain why so many people twisted themselves into knots trying to justify it. The talking points were lazy because they were never meant to hold up—they were just a cover for deeper discomfort with who she is and what she represents.
You’re also right that the way the Democrats treated both Biden and Harris painted an ugly picture. The party projected their fears onto their own nominee and then acted shocked when that fear became the dominant narrative.
And as for Clooney—trust me, I’ve heard that sentiment from more people than I expected. A lot of folks aren’t just disappointed—they’re done. The betrayal hit a nerve, and people are drawing real lines.
I’m grateful you brought this perspective. It’s exactly the kind of clarity we need right now. Thank you again for engaging with the piece and for not backing down from uncomfortable truths.
Clooney is dead to me.
Well, at least Clooney finally found a role where he didn’t have to act—just stand there and sell out. Man went from Batman & Robin to Polls & Donors real fast. Thanks for reading.
There is abundant evidence that several billionaire-owned tech companies colluded to tilt the vote toward the Evil Moron in seven key swing states. It is possible and it is probable. Let's stop licking our wounds and play their game. Challenge the vote. Launch a full-scale investigation. They may have disproven the trump claim in 2020, but I suspect the results of this investigation will be different.
Thank you for this, Steve. I don’t necessarily disagree—I’ve read Greg Palast’s work and I’m well aware of how deep the voter suppression tactics go. From roll purges to hours-long lines to sudden “machine failures” in key districts, it’s not paranoia—it’s documented strategy.
That said, the challenge with launching a full-scale investigation now is that it would run head-first into every legal, political, and media hurdle imaginable. It would be painted as retaliation, chaos-inducing, and a “both sides” circus—even if the data were rock solid. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. But it does mean the groundwork should’ve started a long time ago.
Where I fully agree with you is on this: Democrats need to stop strategizing like they have time. They don’t. The next candidate needs to be selected with intention, fully backed from day one, and surrounded by a party that actually understands how to fight—not panic and bail when the heat turns up.
We can’t afford another situation where the candidate is left to defend themselves against bad faith attacks while the party quietly tiptoes out the side door. That playbook just got us here. And it cannot happen again.
Very sound reasoning, Kristoffer. I am in total agreement that diving into a full-scale investigation will prompt all the responses you mention. But if it's painted as retaliation, so be it. Let it get out there. Retaliation is trump's raison d'etre. It, and avoiding cell time, are the primary reasons he wanted the position he now wrongly occupies. That, of course, and always coming out the winner. Daddy Fred would expect nothing less. As far as the timing, better late than never. Perhaps behind carbon-steel doors some Democrats have been taking the proper steps and waiting for the right moment to pounce. We can only hope.
Hats off to Ealy!
It’s about time someone (read “Democrats”) acknowledged this reality
Thank you so much for reading, Gil. I really appreciate the support—and you’re absolutely right, this reality has been ignored for way too long. Glad to be part of the chorus calling it out.
I appreciate your point of view, and agree with nearly everything you've written. At the risk of being presumptuous, I would add one thing to your conclusion that she deserved better. The reason the election was lost was, in the end, because of laziness. Democrats did not turn out at rates anywhere near the 2020 election.
Hell, in California alone, voter turnout was 6% less in 2024 than in 2020. Nationwide it was ~2.2% lower. If turnout had been the same in 2024 as in 2020, Trump would've gotten his ass kicked yet again. Apparently, we had better things to do on election day than to cast a ballot. As you stated, Kamala Harris deserved better.
Don’t forget about voter suppression. In California it matters less because of the sheer volume of Democrats . In places like Texas where 100,000 people are kicked if the voter rolls a month before the election under the guise of preventing fraud ( also in Florida , Louisiana, etc.) in mostly democratic leaning counties after also significantly reducing the number of polling places , how could everyone vote who wanted to ? In swing states, lawyers tried to suppress overseas voters ( especially the military - among younger military Biden won in 2020 ) to “prevent” election fraud . And there is also extreme gerrymandering in most “ red” leaning states . Pair that with everything mentioned above , and the low propensity voters who crawled out from under their rocks to cast a vote for Trump ( but nothing and nobody else on the ticket ), and we get a close loss . Maybe if she had more time to run some of the antics of the Republicans would have ultimately swayed more of the undecided voters. Regardless , I would love to see her again with a full endorsement from her party in public life ; whether it’s as a candidate for president, or diplomacy , or as a cabinet member . For now , I’m glad she has some time away from the political cesspool to enjoy her family and rest .
Stephen, thank you so much for reading and for this thoughtful, well-articulated comment.
You make a solid point—voter turnout was absolutely lower in 2024 than in 2020, and it had real consequences. The numbers in California, and nationwide, tell the story plainly. If Democratic turnout had matched 2020 levels, we likely wouldn’t be in this mess.
But here’s my main rebuttal: that three-month campaign window. That timeline cannot be overstated. Most presidential candidates spend years building infrastructure, testing messaging, and shaping public perception. Harris got handed the baton after the primaries were already over, the GOP had consolidated, and the donor class had already spent the better part of two years undermining her viability. And then people expected her to run a miracle campaign—with no margin for error.
To put that in historical perspective: Bill Clinton had a rocky rollout in 1992. Between Gennifer Flowers, draft dodging allegations, and “Slick Willie” skepticism, the media dragged him early. But Democrats gave him time to recover. He announced in October 1991, giving him nearly 13 months before Election Day—and the party rallied behind him despite the baggage. Harris had barely 90 days and got none of that unified effort.
Add in the disinformation campaign, which was relentless, especially online, and a media ecosystem that gave Trump free air to lie unchallenged while fact-checking Harris into oblivion? It created a no-win dynamic. The bar for her was sky-high, and for him, it was in a ditch.
The truth is: she theoretically could’ve won—but she would’ve needed a party fully behind her, a media willing to challenge nonsense, and a voter base that showed up with 2020-level urgency. She had none of those.
And honestly? I can absolutely envision a reality where Harris runs a prestige, progressive-approved campaign, hits every “authenticity” benchmark, says all the right things—and still loses. If a progressive tells me they can’t imagine that happening, I’d say they’re provably delusional. Because too often, we pretend that strategy alone beats structural bias. It doesn’t. And that’s exactly why this piece had to be written.
Thanks again for contributing to the conversation with real substance. I appreciate it.
We need to remember that the Trump-state-mediaverse has the larger megaphone. Add the corporate mediaverse complicity, and we lose even more. Add the billionaire class donations. Add a Willie Horton-type ad running non-stop on NFL and NCAA football broadcasts. Oh, and she is a black woman, which I feared from the onset, but based on her flawless campaign and the polls, I became convinced myself she could win.
>>"Harris had barely 90 days and got none of that unified effort."
Harris had another obstacle to overcome: Biden's campaign team. Kamala was forced to take on most of Biden's campaign team because there was no time to organize a full presidential campaign team of her own, but word is they disliked Kamala.
It was the same for the White House Biden team, they were no fans of Kamala. They sidelined her. They kept her at a distance. They gave her the worst assignments that had no chance of success.
The Biden campaign team forced Kamala to stay joined at the hip with Joe. She was forbidden to stray away, that's why when asked on The View, whether she would have done anything differently than President Biden, and she had to reply, ""not a thing comes to mind." She was anchored to a historically unpopular president with approval ratings in the 30s and she was prohibited from any criticism or any sign she'd have any daylight between her and Joe. That was significant in her election loss.
Beautifully written, K Ealy. Amen!
Thank you so much for reading, Catha—I truly appreciate the kind words. I’m glad the piece resonated with you.
Thank you. I've been angry about this for months, and I'm grateful to you for presenting arguments against those who think they knew better than Harris.
Thank you so much for reading, Lisa. I really appreciate it. I’ve felt that same anger across all my political circles—students, professors, journalist friends—everyone was feeling it. That’s exactly why I wrote this article. I knew I wasn’t the only one who saw what was happening and felt like it needed to be said out loud.
Orange Cheeto and Christian Nationalism
Cheeto told a prayer breakfast audience today that he’s ready to get rid of the separation of Church and State, a defining principle of the US Constitution
As Hitler said in 1929, “We tolerate no one in our ranks who attacks the ideals of Christianity. Our movement is Christian.”
Of course this has nothing to do with separation of Church and State It has everything to do with gaining a portal of entry for Cheeto’s Nazi driven Christian Nationalist movement that the right has supported with the likes of Viktor Orban, Hungary’s dictator who has visited CPAC a couple of times and been a keynote speaker The Project 2025 playbook is to get the government to become a Christian Nationalist movement attendant with all its agenda including doing away with Women’s Reproductive Rights and abortion
Dr. Bill, I absolutely agree with everything you laid out here. The rise of Christian Nationalism is one of the most dangerous undercurrents in our politics, and the fact that it’s being mainstreamed by figures like Trump should alarm everyone—regardless of their faith.
I’ve personally been invited to several “Creationism vs. Science” debates over the years, and I always decline. Not because I’m afraid to engage, but because I refuse to give the Kirk Cameron–Ray Comfort crowd even a sliver of credibility in academic spaces. Once you treat misinformation like it deserves a podium, it gains false legitimacy—and that’s exactly what this movement feeds on.
And you’re right: if we start allowing Christianity to dictate public policy, then by that logic, other religions should have that same right. But I don’t believe that’s how a healthy democracy works. That’s why the separation of church and state exists—not to diminish religion, but to protect both government and faith from each other’s overreach.
I respect all religions deeply. But faith belongs in churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples—not in classrooms, courts, or Congress. The second we lose that boundary, we’re not protecting tradition—we’re weaponizing it.
Thank you for laying it out so clearly. These are the conversations we need to be having.
Agree we need to open these conversations to the public forum....even the non MSM groups on Substack get "trapped" in the routine news of the day without going deeper to other news areas That's what make Maddow special
YES, YES, and YES Kristoffer Ealy!!! Exactly my thoughts put beautifully!
Thank you. Robin! Please stick around because I got more.
Excellent article. Kamala Harris is an amazing intelligent human being who has incredible grit, perseverance and positive energy. She ran an incredibly hopeful campaign despite the many obstacles she faced. It is truly sad that so many people of this nation couldn't and can't see nor understand what is best for them. This current era of 'backward' thinking uncertainty is troubling.
Thank you so much for reading, Paulina—and for this incredibly kind and clear-eyed comment.
You’re absolutely right—Kamala Harris ran with grit, intelligence, and an undeniable sense of hope, even when the odds were stacked against her. It’s wild how often that gets dismissed, especially when you consider the real obstacles she faced—not just politically, but culturally.
And yes, it is deeply troubling that so many people couldn’t (or wouldn’t) recognize what she offered. This moment of backwards thinking isn’t just political—it’s psychological. We’ve somehow normalized rejecting highly capable leaders simply because they don’t fit some outdated ideal.
I truly appreciate your support and your words. Comments like yours remind me why I keep writing.
Every single word of this. Thank you Kristoffer.
Thank you so much, Karen—I really appreciate you engaging with the piece. Your support means a lot!
Thank you for reminding me that America could have been a much better place if Harris had won. The useless bobbleheads of corporate medias said she smiled too much, she laughed to much, she wasn't nominated in a traditional fashion, he was in a mixed race marriage with a Jew! Media sanewashed a twice impeached, convicted felon who was held liable for sexual assault and punished Harris for being too normal. Harris was the best America had to offer, but instead America took the path into the dark past. America said, better the devil I know than the angel that stands before me... The price paid for that bad decision is and will be steep.
Thank you for this, MPT. You captured the frustration so many of us feel with brutal accuracy. Everything you said—from the media’s shallow critiques of Harris’s demeanor to the way they sanitized a twice-impeached felon—is exactly what’s been weighing on people who actually paid attention.
She really was the best America had to offer: intelligent, prepared, steady—and yes, normal. And yet the country chose the devil it knew, not because he was better, but because he was louder and more familiar to the systems that benefit from chaos.
I’m grateful you saw what she brought to the table. Thank you for engaging with the piece and speaking so clearly about the cost of choosing spectacle over substance.
Thank you for the kind words. You put it perfectly with ' the cost of choosing spectacle over substance.' A large minority of Americans are easily manipulated by right wing media and lying 'be afraid of anyone who isn't a white man' politicians. Sad;y, they will be punished economically by standing by their man. Maybe the economic pain they feel will finally break the trump cult spell. Maybe...
Great article. She deserved much better. She ran an excellent campaign especially compared to the eating dogs opponent. This country is living in a propaganda driven fake world.
Thank you so much for reading, Paul. You nailed it—she absolutely ran a strong campaign, especially given the circus she had to run against. When the media lets someone lie freely and spin reality while holding her to impossible standards, it becomes propaganda by design. You’re right—we’re living in a fake world where truth is treated like opinion, and opinion is treated like fact. I’m grateful you saw what she was really up against.
It's incredibly sad that anyone could vote for Trump or Vance and it just keeps getting worse every day. Thanks for fighting against the liars and defending the people like Kamala who fought the good fight.
Absolutely 💯