Democratic insiders tell Politico Harris wasted 2026; her allies push back

Left · 1Politico reported that Democratic operatives believe former Vice President Kamala Harris is not setting herself up well for another White House bid, saying she has wasted 2026. 1 Mixed · 2Fox News described the report as based on interviews with nearly 20 California-based Democratic donors and strategists. CBS News put the number at almost two dozen operatives. 2 1 Right · 1Doug Herman, a Democratic strategist who worked on Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns, told Politico that Harris "totally blew it... She hasn’t gotten into the mix." Former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges said, "I don’t see anything different myself. It seems like more of the same to me." 2

Right · 1Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist, DNC member and outside adviser to Harris, called the story "infuriating in its silliness." She told Fox News Digital that Harris has proposed expanding the Supreme Court, lowering the voting age to 16, and making DC and Puerto Rico states, and said Harris is "damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t." 2 Right · 1Cardona said Harris has been campaigning nonstop for midterm candidates and has been asked by many of them to appear. Fox reported that some Democratic nominees in red states made headlines by asking Harris not to campaign with them. 2 Right · 1Democratic strategist Michael Ceraso said consultants "are not voters" and that presidential politics has not really started. He noted that Joe Biden won on his third run. An anonymous Democratic consultant told Fox News Digital that voters have not heard much from Harris, so memories of her 2024 loss remain fresh. 2

Right · 1Harris has toured for her memoir "107 Days" and is now campaigning for Democrats in the midterms, including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. She lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump after replacing Joe Biden as nominee, and would likely face a crowded 2028 primary field if she runs. 2