Kamala Harris Declares Herself a “Historic Figure”
On Tuesday, former Vice President Kamala Harris referred to herself as a “historic figure” while discussing the upcoming unveiling of her marble bust in Congress. This declaration came during an interview with The New York Times, where she also shared insights about her forthcoming book, titled “107 Days.” Interestingly, Harris mentioned that she no longer feels “burdened” by a historical narrative.
In her conversation with the Times, Harris remarked, “I understand the focus is on things like ’28.” Yet, she confidently stated, “But there will be a marble bust of me in Congress. I am a historical figure, just like any vice president of the United States before me.” She further reflected on her book tour, sharing, “Thousands of people are coming to hear my voice. Everywhere we went was sold out.”
Harris’ comments touch upon a long-standing tradition in the Senate, which commissions busts of vice presidents after they leave office, a practice that has persisted since the late 1800s.
As she promotes her book, Harris has taken the opportunity to address tensions within the Democratic Party. She wrote about interactions with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and even former President Joe Biden. She mentioned an exchange where Shapiro questioned her staff on how to use a Pennsylvania artist’s work in a project. Harris also reminded him that “the vice president is not a co-president.” Shapiro responded critically, expressing disbelief at her portrayal of their discussions.
Political commentators found it puzzling when Harris opted for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate instead of Shapiro. The governor was candid in his reaction, stating, “That’s just bullshit,” suggesting that her explanations were misleading. He expressed that if a partnership was in discussion, questions would naturally arise.
As Harris promotes her book, she claims that the Biden White House often sidelined her during her term and her campaign against Trump. In her writing, she noted the difficulty in finding support or receiving praise regarding her work, especially amid relentless criticism. Harris expressed feeling that the administration was content to “put the blame on itself” concerning the border crisis.
