It was Kamala Harris’s first public appearance since losing the Democratic presidential primary to Donald Trump. Her remarks came in an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Thursday night. It was a touchstone experience for Harris. She picked the new, hip, popular late-night talk show to debut her ideas and plans following her defeat. This decision is particularly egregious. It occurs amidst a dramatic backdrop of current and escalating host/network clash between the show’s host and CBS, the network that broadcasts it.
Throughout the course of the interview, Harris touted her forthcoming book “107 Days,” which is due out next month. Her decision to go on The Late Show created a really strong platform for her book’s message. It was a chance for her to share her vision for her political future — and the future of U.S. politics.
Only the week before, Colbert had trained his fire on CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global. Just before Harris’s arrival though, he criticized them for settling for only $16 million with Trump. His brash comments on the network ultimately led to the show’s cancelation. This disturbing incident underscores the hostile climate of political debate that currently exists in our country, particularly within the media.
Harris confessed that she spent months trying to build up her strength again. Only then would she be able to contend with the news of her electoral defeat. She expressed discomfort with the current political climate, stating, “Recently I made the decision that I just – for now – I don’t want to go back in the system. I think it’s broken.” This feeling is characteristic of her cynicism with what she views as a crumbling democracy.
During her speech about the future, Harris ruled out any interest in becoming governor of California. She released this announcement the day before her Late Show appearance. She used that framework to explain how this was a choice made on a more fundamental level. It wasn’t simply the fear of going through another political campaign.
I’ve long had faith in the depth of our systems. Despite the fragility of our democracy, they are our last line of defense to preserve our most essential ideals. Harris stated. But I would argue, and I think it has a right now, that they’re not as strong as they need to be. And for right now I don’t want to re-enter that environment.
“Stephen, what I did not predict was the capitulation,” she remarked, referring to what she sees as a compromise by some political leaders in favor of tax cuts benefiting the wealthy.
Reflecting on her experiences and observations, Harris noted, “Perhaps it’s naive of me … there should be many who consider themselves to be guardians of our system and our democracy who just capitulated, and I didn’t see that coming.”
In this period of reflection and reassessment, Harris outlined her intentions to “travel the country and listen to people.” This approach suggests a shift away from traditional political ambitions and towards grassroots engagement with communities across the nation.
As Harris navigates this new chapter post-election, her absence from California’s gubernatorial race positions her as a figure potentially focused on broader conversations about democracy and governance rather than immediate political contests.