Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce stated on Tuesday that the limited pool of potential Democratic presidential candidates is what maintains Vice President Kamala Harris’s relevance. Following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 race, Harris became the Democratic nominee but ultimately lost the presidential election on November 5, when former President Donald Trump achieved the necessary 270 electoral votes for victory. Bruce remarked that Harris has gained prominence primarily due to the absence of viable alternatives within the Democratic Party.
“Some individuals are professional candidates. She has indeed won office and performed well, albeit inexplicably. It is concerning to me that she garnered as many votes as she did, a situation influenced by legacy media and party loyalty, but it appears that Americans are becoming more aware,” Bruce expressed during her appearance on “Varney and Company” with guest host Ashley Webster. “This is a woman who, due to the frailty of the Democratic bench, has risen to prominence. Should the Democratic bench broaden and elect individuals who possess competence and can articulate a clear vision, the significance and appeal of someone like Kamala Harris would likely diminish.”
“However, in California, she might have a chance if she decides to run for governor, but she is unlikely to pursue anything new,” Bruce added. “Many overlook the possibility of exploring other avenues in life. For politicians at her level, there seems to be a lack of alternative options, so the responsibility lies with the Democrats. If they had a more extensive and robust bench, I believe she would not find herself in her current situation.”
Harris remains the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in 2028, according to polls from 538.com, despite her defeat to Trump. She surpasses Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and California Governor Gavin Newsom in these surveys. Following President Biden’s announcement on July 21 that he would not seek reelection, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, largely refrained from engaging in interviews and press conferences until they launched a media campaign in October. A liberal commentator suggested that this approach may have contributed to Walz’s lackluster performance in the vice-presidential debate on October 1.
Additionally, Harris opted not to attend the Al Smith Dinner in person, instead producing a video featuring former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Molly Shannon, which was shown at the event. She also declined to participate in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, reportedly out of concern for potential backlash from her campaign team, a decision that may have adversely affected her voter support.
