Veteran Democratic strategist James Kerrville spoke openly about his failed prediction that then-President Kamala Harris would win the 2024 presidential election.
In the final weeks of the election cycle, Kerrville made a media round, expressing his confidence that Democrats would keep President Donald Trump out of the White House and even writing a mission in The New York Times titled “I'm Convinced Kamala Harris will win.”
“Did the poll look like a coincidence? I thought Harris had more money. She also had more storefront locations, more door knockers, and Trump was circling with Scott Bio or something.
Coincidentally, Trump won the popularity vote by 1 point and a half ahead of Harris, and ultimately won the presidency with 312 election votes.
“You relearn the oldest lessons in politics. The biggest motivation for turnout, voting, and persuasion is the reason. If there is no reason, you cannot [win]Carville said. “People had a reason to vote for Trump. One of the reasons they were looking for was that they should have considered this more, because people wanted some kind of change.”
When asked what was called a “money question,” Carville recalls how Harris's “scenery” now famed. She replied, “There's nothing to think of.”
“She slams it completely,” Kerrville said. “Well, 70% of people, we have time to debate whether they're right or wrong, 70% of people want something different. Well, we'll give them that! [Say] Anything you want except “I can't think of anything.” Worst answer than ever given. It has been given so far. ”
Since her defeat to Trump, Harris has already produced a buzz in her 2028 run. Early polls show that she dominates the field of potential democratic rivalry (although name recognition is probably a strong factor). Others have come to her as a leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial election after current governor Gavin Newsom took office.
When asked whether Harris should run for governor in 2026 or again for president in 2028, Kerrville refrained from a strong position.
“We're not suggesting that someone should or should not run for the office,” Kerrville said. “If she runs for president again, she has to become a much better candidate than she did in 2024. Maybe she is.”
The former Clinton operative remained certain that Harris would have been a “much better candidate” if he had held an open primary following Biden's sudden ejection from the 2024 race, and swiped over something like CNN commentator Bakari Sellers to suggest that Kerrville was a regrettable decision by his party.
However, when asked if it was up to him to run again, he again failed to take firm stance.
“Well, first of all, I think everyone should run,” Kerrville said. “I have a lot of friends. I think I should run. You know, more, more interesting, I think. And I think she is a former vice president. She is a former prosecutor in a former metropolitan city and obviously a former national attorney general. It's very difficult for her to win a nomination, but it's going to be difficult for anyone else.”
Kerrville admitted in 2024 that he was “I was wrong,” emphasizing that his prediction was “mistake” and that it's okay to admit it when they're responsible.
“If you're wrong, the public never mind. When they turn you on, when you're bored or predictable. That's what they don't like,” Kerrville told Fox News Digital. “If you don't say something in a colorful way that sticks to people, do you know what you're saying? It's a vapid thing. And I think the public is just tired of just talking points. They're just worn out.”
