The Voice News: Kamala Harris should be the undisputed front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. She has the name recognition, the political resume, and the demographic appeal that matches today’s Democratic coalition. But instead of building on these strengths, Harris and her team seem aimless — and it’s costing her.
In 2024, Harris received over 75 million votes, with overwhelming support from Democratic voters. Polls still show strong favorability: 87% among Democrats in YouGov’s latest data and 88% in McLaughlin’s. Yet when it comes to primary preference, she garners just 30-32% support. That’s a lead, but not a commanding one — and it reflects doubt about her leadership and vision.
Despite her prominence, Harris’s recent public appearances have been lackluster. Her major speech this spring offered little more than recycled talking points about Donald Trump. Even more baffling, she followed it up with a private address to Australian real estate agents — a strange move for someone trying to reestablish national relevance.
This lack of strategic focus highlights the central weakness in Harris’s operation: no clear message, no unifying theme, and no bold direction. Her team appears overly cautious, and Harris herself seems hesitant to challenge the party or take risks. As a result, her political stature is shrinking — not growing.
Her consideration of a 2026 run for California governor further clouds the picture. If she pursues that path, she effectively eliminates any shot at the presidency in 2028. Running for governor would mean pledging not to run for president — and the comparisons to Richard Nixon abandoning Washington only add to the problem. Even if she wins the governorship, California’s political and fiscal crises would likely bog her down.
So what should Harris do?
First, she must define a vision. Her 2024 campaign’s theme of an “opportunity economy” wasn’t memorable, but it was a start. She needs to build on that or introduce a stronger message — something that sets her apart and signals leadership.
Second, she must assert herself as the undisputed leader of the Democratic Party. That means ignoring rivals like Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, not giving them oxygen. It also means distancing herself — tactfully — from the Biden administration’s failures. With books like Fight and Original Sin exposing dysfunction in Biden’s inner circle, Harris has the material she needs to redirect blame.
Importantly, she must take calculated political risks. The Democratic grassroots are tired of insider politics. Harris should speak to that frustration — not by attacking Biden personally, but by drawing a line between her vision and the establishment’s missteps.
Kamala Harris has the tools to lead — high favorability, party loyalty, and a compelling personal story. But tools aren’t enough. She must prove she can lead without a safety net, take on her own party when necessary, and show voters she has a plan beyond criticizing Trump.
The 2028 nomination is hers — but only if she earns it.