In an eye-opening interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, former Vice President Kamala Harris announced her retreat from political campaigns for the time being, pointing to what she says are deep-seated issues within the system, as the New York Post reports.
Harris emphasized her decision not to pursue any future political office during her first show appearance in the wake of her election loss.
During the interview, Harris shared her reflections on her recent presidential campaign and the broader political landscape, which she described as "broken". This sentiment captured her disillusionment following a challenging race.
The former VP, after raising a staggering $1 billion for her presidential bid, faced a stark defeat, not securing the popular vote, the Electoral College, or any swing states against Donald Trump. She highlighted these outcomes as revelations of systemic shortcomings.
"I always believed that, as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think, right now, they’re not as strong as they need to be," Harris remarked, expressing her deep concerns about the state of American democracy.
Signaling a shift away from traditional political roles, at least for now, Harris declared she would not run to become California governor in 2026, opting instead to focus on grassroots engagements. Her future efforts will concentrate on connecting with Americans in a more personal, non-transactional manner.
She plans to travel the country extensively, aiming to understand the lived experiences and views of the citizens without the customary political exchanges of campaigning. This approach, she hopes, will foster deeper, more meaningful conversations.
In line with her new direction, Harris is also set to promote her upcoming book, 107 Days, which delves into the intricacies and personal experiences of her presidential campaign, offering readers a glimpse behind the political curtain.
Despite stepping down from political candidacy, Harris affirmed her ongoing commitment to societal issues, hinting at continued involvement in public advocacy. "Oh, absolutely not. I’m always going to be part of the fight," she stated firmly in the interview.
She also shared personal coping mechanisms used in the aftermath of the 2024 election, such as avoiding news consumption for months, equating it to avoiding "self-mutilation." This reflective period helped her manage the emotional aftermath of her public and personal setbacks.
Harris further noted that she never envisioned herself as a presidential candidate from a young age, a sentiment that differentiates her path from those typically driven by lifelong presidential aspirations.
When probed by Colbert about the figures currently leading the Democratic Party, Harris chose not to name names, avoiding potential controversy from inadvertently excluding important figures.
The interview marked a crucial public reemergence for Harris, in which she candidly discussed her professional disillusionments and future intentions, laying out a blueprint for her continued advocacy outside the electoral arena.
Colbert, taken aback by Harris's resolutions, described her stance on stepping away from the political fray as "harrowing," emphasizing the significant emotional and professional weight of her decisions as expressed during the show.
