America, Actually: Who Wants Kamala to run again?

Key takeaways

Kamala Harris is being considered for a 2028 presidential run, but there is significant internal and public skepticism about her viability.
Voters and insiders are divided: some support her ability to energize key demographics, others doubt her electability due to systemic racial and gender biases.
Many Democratic donors and strategists believe the party needs a fresh face and are hesitant to back Harris, citing past electoral losses and internal party dynamics.
Public opinion varies across generations, racial lines, and political affiliations, reflecting broader uncertainties within the Democratic base.
The political landscape is uncertain, with advocates for change emphasizing the need for new leadership to reinvigorate the party ahead of 2028.

Summary

Kamala Harris's Possible 2028 Run and Democratic Sentiment

This section explores the renewed speculation about Kamala Harris potentially running for president in 2028. Harris has been actively building her profile with a book tour in key primary states and leading early polls over other Democratic figures like Gavin Newsom and AOC. The podcast discusses her previous presidential campaigns, the internal and public skepticism about her candidacy, and the reasons some insiders and voters are hesitant or supportive of her running again. The segment highlights interviews with insiders and grassroots voters, revealing a divide: some see her as a strong candidate with a loyal base, especially among women and Black voters, but others believe America is not yet ready for a Black woman president, citing systemic barriers and racial biases.

Voter Perspectives and Public Opinion in South Carolina

This section reports on original polling conducted at a Juneteenth picnic in South Carolina, where voters expressed mixed feelings about Harris’s potential candidacy. While some support her and see her as a capable leader, many others are skeptical, citing reasons such as her previous performance, systemic racism, gender biases, and political calculations. The conversation captures generational, racial, and political viewpoints, illustrating the complexity of public opinion among Democratic voters about her viability and the broader desire for fresh faces versus experienced contenders.

The Democratic Party's Future and Donor Perspectives on Harris

Here, the podcast features discussions with prominent Democratic donors and strategists, including John Morgan, who express doubts about Harris’s prospects due to recent electoral losses and internal party dynamics. Many donors feel that the party needs a fresh start and are wary of Harris’s previous national performance. There is concern about her support from the donor base, especially as she faces competition from Gavin Newsom and others promising a new direction. The segment delves into the internal party debates about leadership renewal and strategic positioning for 2028, with some voices advocating for other emerging Democratic figures who can appeal broadly and energize the base.

Overall Democratic Frustration and the 2028 Outlook

The podcast concludes with reflections on the wider Democratic landscape, noting widespread frustration with the current political setup and uncertainty about the party’s direction. Despite her polling strength, there remains a substantial skepticism about Harris’s potential to unify the party and win the nomination. The conversation underscores a broader debate about whether an experienced figure like Harris or a new, energetic candidate is needed for success in the next election cycle. Public and private opinions suggest Democrats are cautious about repeating past mistakes and are looking for a candidate who can truly break with the current establishment.

Show notes

Raging Moderates is taking a short break this week, but we’ve got a great episode from Vox’s America, Actually with Astead Herndon.

We’ll be back with regular episodes on August 17th.

Despite a bruising defeat in the 2024 presidential election, early polling has Kamala Harris ahead of major Democratic alternatives like Gavin Newsom and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a 2028 run. Her loyal base says that another White House bid feels like an opportunity to build a real campaign free from the constraints of last time. But there’s a lot of division behind the scenes. This week, Vox’s Astead Herndon travels to a picnic in the crucial primary state of South Carolina to ask voters directly what they think. And then, Astead talks with the prominent Democratic donor John Morgan, who says it’s time to turn the page on the Biden-Harris era entirely.

00:36 Is Kamala Harris running for president (again?)02:20 Democratic insiders make the case for Harris 202805:16 Taking the question to South Carolina voters06:37 Is America ready for a Black woman president?08:56 The generational divide12:25 The “third time’s a charm” perspective18:08 What Democratic donors are thinking24:32 The push for a fresh Democratic bench25:51 Counting the votes from South Carolina

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
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