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Is This a Sign the Left Is Having Buyer's Remorse Over Harris?

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  October 23, 2024 8:00 AM

Shortly after taking over the top spot on the Democratic Party ticket, the wind was at Vice President Kamala Harris’ back. Fundraising, which had dried up after President Biden’s disastrous debate performance, poured in. Endorsements came once again from Hollywood celebs and other major public figures. And the Democratic Party embraced the “joy” of the moment. But Republicans warned the honeymoon period would soon end, and they were right. Media outlets, giddy to grace their covers with glowing profiles of Harris, even when she refused them interviews, started becoming bothered by her refusal to speak with them. Polling shows the race neck-in-neck, with Harris behind her predecessors on support among black voters. As Guy has been reporting, Democrats are getting nervous about critical battleground states, especially Pennsylvania, which some on the left fear may be “slipping away.” It's almost like this could have been foreseen based on how her last run for president turned out. 

Such concerns with Harris’ candidacy (among others too exhaustive to list here) may be why we’re now beginning to see some buyer’s remorse. After a New York Times opinion piece last week headlined, “Why the Heck Isn’t She Running Away With This?” we now have a piece in The Hill questioning whether President Biden was the better candidate after all. 

The author frames the piece as a “thought experiment,” comparing Biden (had the debate debacle never occurred) and Trump, while only minimally criticizing Harris by noting that “October has not been particularly kind to her. Donald Trump has closed the electoral gaps, and some believe he is actually leading.”

As I have previously written, Americans may not know the winner right away, given the likelihood of contested districts and recounts. Yet, when the 47th president is decided, at some stage, people may wonder whether the best choice was not Harris or Trump.  

In retrospect, perhaps America would have been better served if the 46th president Joe Biden won a second term. (The Hill)

Critics were quick to note it was a sign of buyer's remorse.