In a wide-ranging and candid conversation with “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert, former Vice President Kamala Harris offered a behind-the-scenes look into her historic, albeit brief, 2024 presidential campaign, as detailed in her new book, “107 Days.” Appearing as a private citizen for the first time on the show, Harris discussed the emotional weight of her duties following the election, her decision to step back from frontline politics, and her unwavering belief in the American people.
Harris began by reflecting on the challenging period after the election, particularly the constitutional duty she fulfilled on January 6, 2025, to certify the electoral votes. “I was fully aware of what that moment required,” she stated, recalling the stark contrast to four years prior and acknowledging the courage shown by her predecessor, Mike Pence, in a similar position.
Addressing recent speculation about her future, Harris confirmed she will not be running for governor of California, despite strong polling numbers. She explained her decision was not about saving herself for a different office but stemmed from a deeper concern. “I believe… as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think right now… they’re not as strong as they need to be,” she confessed. For now, she intends to travel the country to listen and empower citizens directly, without the transactional nature of asking for a vote.
Her book, “107 Days,” aims to demystify the intense experience of running for president. Harris shared that she never grew up with the singular ambition of becoming president but was always driven by a desire to serve. The book provides a personal perspective on the campaign, including lighthearted anecdotes about her husband, Doug Emhoff, and the challenges of a whirlwind campaign. What surprised her most during those 107 days was the “incredibly beautiful” unity she witnessed at campaign events, where people from all walks of life came together with a common goal, seeing “in the face of a stranger, a neighbor.”
However, Harris did not shy away from the grim realities of the current political climate. While she had predicted many of the actions of the current administration during her debate with Trump, she admitted her own naivete in one respect: “What I did not predict was the capitulation,” she said, expressing shock at how many “guardians of our system” have rolled over and failed to stand up against the erosion of democratic norms.
Despite the difficult political landscape, Harris ended on a powerful note of optimism and resilience. She urged Americans not to let any circumstance or person “defeat our spirit.” Reflecting on the joy and hope that defined her campaign, she insisted that this spirit came from the people and cannot be taken away. “It’s really on all of our shoulders,” she concluded, emphasizing that the power to move the country forward lies not with any single leader, but with the collective will of the people.
Leave a Reply