The Challenges of a Short Presidential Campaign

Good evening. My colleague Adam Nagourney has covered 10 presidential elections — but never one as brief as Vice President Kamala Harris’s rapid sprint for the presidency. Tonight, he discusses why this could have posed significant challenges for Harris. Additionally, we’ll examine how far the anticipated red wave truly reached. — Jess Bidgood

By Adam Nagourney

After President Biden announced he would not seek re-election and Vice President Kamala Harris jumped into the race in late July, I took a closer look at the Democrats’ optimism surrounding her truncated campaign—spanning a mere 15 weeks. There was a prevailing belief that this condensed timeframe could allow a relatively inexperienced candidate like Harris to harness a surge of enthusiasm, bypassing the typical pitfalls associated with lengthy campaigns, ultimately propelling her towards the White House.

However, in hindsight, it appears that this abbreviated campaign cycle may have been a crucial factor contributing to her resounding defeat against former President Donald Trump.

This situation adds another item to the growing list of grievances that Democrats are directing at Biden during this period filled with second-guessing and self-reflection.

• Biden’s decision to run for re-election effectively cleared the Democratic field, leaving Harris without the opportunity to engage in a competitive primary process.
• The lack of a primary meant that a party with initial reservations about Harris did not have the chance to see her compete against other Democratic candidates, thus missing the opportunity to fully assess her capabilities.

During her swift campaign, Harris showcased her considerable talents—energizing crowds at rallies and skillfully outmaneuvering Trump during their debates. Yet, in more personal and intimate settings throughout the general election campaign, she faltered on fundamental questions—such as how she would differentiate herself from Biden—questions she likely would have faced repeatedly in a traditional primary setting filled with town hall meetings, small gatherings, and local interviews.

In summary, it seems plausible that Harris would have been better served by the experience of a more extensive campaign trail before heading into the high-stakes arena of the general election.