Former Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to deliver her first major speech following her 2024 presidential election loss to Donald Trump, and analysts discussed her political prospects, with one saying that Democrats have “little appetite” for her.
Newsweek reached out to Harris via online form for comment ahead of the speech.
Why It Matters
Following her election loss in November and Trump’s inauguration in January, Harris has kept a somewhat low political profile.
Democrats have also faced growing turmoil and scrutiny following the election loss, as the party struggles with delivering a cohesive message and a leader who resonates with voters. After the 2024 election, Republicans gained control of the White House, Senate and Congress.
In early polls surveying Americans on potential 2028 candidates, Harris has been a notable contender along with New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
What To Know
Harris is slated to be the keynote speaker at Emerge America’s 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco Wednesday night. Emerge America is an organization aimed at helping women implement change in politics.
When asked if Harris could rally the Democratic Party around her following the election loss and in the immediate time of uncertainty for the party, Grant Reeher, political science professor at Syracuse University, told Newsweek via email, “In short, no.”
Reeher continued: “That polling is mostly picking up name recognition. Many Democrats—including some really influential leaders like Nancy Pelosi—believe that part of the problem in 2024 was the candidates at the top of the ticket, and the way they were chosen (without an open, competitive process). I think there will be little appetite to return to someone who lost to Donald Trump. That was Biden’s main theory of the case in 2024, that he was the Democrat who demonstrated that he could beat Trump.
“If I were advising Democrats on 2028, I’d encourage them to avoid the people on the two coasts, and also steer away from an emphasis on social and cultural issues. I’d be looking for senators and governors in the interior of the country, like Amy Klobuchar, Elissa Slotkin, or Gretchen Whitmer,” Reeher concluded.
Columbia University Political Science Professor Robert Y. Shapiro also told Newsweek via email, “While she may give a great speech, first I do not think Democratic leaders will rally around her.”
Continuing, Shapiro said Harris “was damaged as a presidential candidate by the 2024 election. And without leaders weighing in in her favor I do not think a great many voters will pay much attention to her at this early stage before the next presidential election. They are looking for new leaders and there are others to consider.”
Kamala Harris is seen speaking onstage during the HumanX AI Conference 2025 on March 9 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Big Event Media/Getty Images for HumanX Conference) Kamala Harris is seen speaking onstage during the HumanX AI Conference 2025 on March 9 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Big Event Media/Getty Images for HumanX Conference)
What People Are Saying
Harris on X, formerly Twitter, praising New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker for his impassioned speech against the Trump administration: “The true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but on who you lift up. For over 24 hours, my friend @CoryBooker stood on the floor of the Senate and lifted up the voices of the American people harmed by the current administration. We must continue to fight for the best of who we are as Americans. Thank you, Cory, for your leadership.”
Scott Dworkin, cofounder of The Democratic Coalition, posted to X on Wednesday: “Who else agrees that Kamala Harris absolutely, without a doubt, would’ve been a better president? #TheCostOfTrump“
What Happens Next
Harris is scheduled to speak around 7 p.m. PT Wednesday.
