'I am not done' - Kamala Harris tells BBC she may run for US president again

Kamala Harris: “I Am Not Done” - A Defiant Reflection and a Possible Return to the Presidential Stage

In a candid and wide-ranging interview with the BBC, former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris offered a strikingly personal and political reflection on her whirlwind 107-day presidential campaign, her relationship with President Joe Biden, and the future of American democracy.

The interview, which coincides with the release of her new book chronicling her brief but intense run for the presidency, reveals Harris as a figure both wounded by defeat and emboldened by experience, and one who may not be finished with her political ambitions.

 

Harris recounted the unprecedented nature of the 2024 election, in which President Biden withdrew from the race just months before Election Day, leaving her to face off against Donald Trump with little time to mount a full campaign.

She emphasized that while she takes full responsibility for her campaign’s shortcomings, the compressed timeline and lack of preparation severely hampered her ability to connect with voters and articulate her policy vision.

Her reflections suggest a deep frustration with the circumstances surrounding Biden’s withdrawal, hinting that she may have been kept in the dark about his declining stamina and political viability.

Throughout the interview, Harris was careful to distinguish between Biden’s capacity to serve as president and his ability to run a grueling campaign. She expressed concern about the endurance and energy required to campaign effectively, especially against a seasoned opponent like Trump. 

Harris admitted she wrestled with whether she should have urged Biden to step aside earlier, but ultimately refrained, fearing it would be seen as self-serving.

Despite the loss, Harris remains proud of her campaign’s achievements, including massive rallies, celebrity endorsements, and a policy platform focused on working-class issues like child care, housing affordability, and corporate accountability.

She acknowledged, however, that Democrats have been losing ground among key demographics,  particularly Gen Z and Latino voters, and that more work is needed to rebuild trust and relevance.

The interview also touched on Harris’s views of the current Trump administration, which she described as authoritarian and fascist. She accused Trump of weaponizing federal agencies, undermining democratic norms, and fostering a culture of fear and capitulation among business and political elites.

Her warnings extended to foreign leaders, whom she urged to be cautious in their dealings with Trump, lest they be manipulated by his penchant for flattery and power.

When asked about her future, Harris was unequivocal: “I am not done.” While she has not made a decision about running again, she left the door wide open, suggesting that her commitment to public service remains strong. She dismissed polling odds that rank her behind figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, insisting that she has never let polls dictate her path. Her message to supporters was clear, the fight continues, even if victory takes time.

Kamala Harris’s interview was more than a promotional stop on a book tour; it was a declaration of resilience, a critique of political missteps, and a hint at unfinished business.

Whether she chooses to run again or not, Harris has positioned herself as a persistent voice in American politics, one determined to shape the narrative of her past and perhaps the course of its future.