Unpacking ‘107 Days’ by Kamala Harris: A Profound Reflection on Hope and Closure

Almost a year after the 2024 election, some folks in my liberal Philadelphia neighborhood still have “Harris” signs in their windows. The results caught many off guard, leaving a cloud of confusion and shock.

Kamala Harris was no exception. She and her team had high hopes on election night. They were ready to celebrate with cupcakes that read “Madam President” and champagne on ice. Yet, when the outcome was clear, both she and her husband, Doug, were too shaken to even discuss it for a long time. In her new memoir, 107 Days, she revisits that tumultuous time.

The book reads like a timeline of events, which can be frustrating. It might only deepen the divide between her critics and supporters. Some critics label her as insincere, a view she attributes to sexism. When popular radio host Charlamagne Tha God called her “very scripted,” she defended herself by saying it showed discipline. Unfortunately, in her memoir, she largely sticks to her rehearsed messages.

Yet, there are moments that reveal her true feelings. One poignant section talks about her birthday celebration, just weeks before the election. Expecting a special day, she felt let down when Doug was too exhausted by the campaign to celebrate. This glimpse into her personal life adds depth to her story.

Harris also subtly hints at her frustrations with Joe Biden. She describes his campaign missteps, like the time he wore a “Trump 2024” cap during a 9/11 event. These instances showcase her struggles, but she stops short of delivering a full critique. While she acknowledges concerns about Biden’s candidacy, she insists he remained capable. This feels hard to believe, especially with sources like CNN’s Jake Tapper questioning Biden’s competency in his book, Original Sin.

Harris found herself in a tough spot when Biden dropped out. If he had kept his promise to be a transitional president, would things have turned out differently for her? California Governor Gavin Newsom seemed unsure, as noted by her brief interaction with him while seeking endorsements.

There were moments of doubt for Harris, too. Early in her campaign, she spoke to her pastor for encouragement, who likened her to Queen Esther. These reassurances seemed to ground her, adding to the human aspect of her journey.

However, her memoir reflects a lack of introspection about what led to her campaign’s struggles. Recent reports indicate Biden’s unwavering support for Israel impacted Democratic voter turnout, yet Harris brushes aside crucial issues like Gaza. Her question about why protesters didn’t show up at Trump rallies shows a disconnect with her own administration’s policies.

Her characterizations of political peers haven’t helped, either. Describing Pete Buttigieg as “too gay” for the American public or calling Josh Shapiro an egoist doesn’t paint a flattering picture and may cause rifts. For those hoping her memoir would offer hope, it’s more of a recounting of what went wrong than a roadmap for the future.

In the end, it seems like she shares in the helplessness many feel today. The journey laid out in 107 Days doesn’t provide closure or optimism. Perhaps it’s time for the holdouts to take down their signs, as Harris struggles to find a way forward for herself and the nation.

For more insights into political dynamics, you can check out the recent study by the Pew Research Center that explores voter sentiments and shifts in party loyalty during the last elections.

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