Kamala Harris’ new book, released today, isn’t just quickly climbing the bestseller charts. “107 Days” also serves as a strategic move for the former vice president to connect with millions of voters ahead of the upcoming presidential primary in 2028.
In the following weeks, she plans to engage in a series of media interviews and a speaking tour that will cover nearly 20 major cities, aiming to reposition herself in the Democratic limelight.
The book reads smoothly—its 300 pages present Harris as a complex individual, at times vulnerable and self-critical, yet she’s somewhat guarded when it comes to political matters. The anecdotes from behind the scenes are plentiful, including a revealing moment when she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, had a disagreement during the challenging 2024 campaign.
“107 Days” has the potential to enhance Harris’ public image, although, if she seeks the next Democratic presidential nomination, she may still face significant political challenges.
One major obstacle she grapples with is the perception of Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities during his presidency. It raises questions—given her close work with him, how did Harris navigate the situation without addressing it head-on?
Such questions linger in the political landscape, and “107 Days” doesn’t provide satisfying answers. Harris recalls Biden’s decision to run again, stating, “Looking back, I think it was reckless,” but her explanations often come off as justifications. She remarks, “I was in the worst position to insist he should step down,” acknowledging the complex dynamics at play.
Interestingly, when she describes Biden as “incredibly selfish” for his ambitions, her reasoning appears somewhat self-serving. This perception could distance her from some voters rather than demonstrating her respect for the party and her own political aspirations.
In the book, Harris reflects on Biden’s character, asserting, “On his worst day, he was more knowledgeable and compassionate than Donald Trump.” Yet, one has to think: is being better than Trump truly a commendable benchmark?
She mentioned that those closest to Biden should have recognized the challenges he faced. However, it’s ambiguous if Harris sees herself as part of that “inner circle.” She notes that she hadn’t witnessed the confusion and inconsistency present during Biden’s unfortunate debate performance on June 27.
If Harris is indeed eyeing another presidential run, many observers believe that her dedicated support for Biden may not resonate well with Democratic voters. Her unwavering loyalty to Biden is a recurring theme in “107 Days,” and it might not be viewed favorably by some of her peers.
One particularly tough moment during the 2024 campaign came when she was featured on ABC’s “The View” just weeks before the election. When asked if she had ever disagreed with Biden in the past four years, she responded simply, “There’s nothing to think of,” which she later admitted was a weak answer.
In her book, she acknowledges that her extreme loyalty might have clouded her judgment. “I was still vice president of President Biden… I felt that I owed my loyalty to him.” This loyalty could be complicating her political positioning.
Earlier this year, CNN polling indicated that only 1% of Democratic voters identified Biden as reflecting the party’s core values, suggesting a disconnect.
Adding to her challenges is the discontent surrounding the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of Israel. Harris’ book doesn’t address the criticisms surrounding the situation in Gaza, where the humanitarian toll has been devastating. Organizations like Amnesty International have described the events as genocide; her book’s silence on this matter raises moral and political concerns.
It seems that for Harris, events in Gaza were more of an inconvenience during her campaign rather than a pressing issue. She avoids confronting the fact that U.S. military support potentially exacerbated the situation.
Harris has also recounted her attempts to engage with “hecklers” at a rally in Phoenix while discussing her support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. She seems to believe that her comments during this moment hold considerable weight, which feels rather optimistic.
Later, during the Democratic National Convention, she briefly addressed Gaza, but again, her reflections lack depth. With no acknowledgment of the inconsistencies in her statements, it reads as a missed opportunity for genuine engagement.
Throughout “107 Days,” there are moments that address issues like racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights, yet the commitment to tackling corporate power and income inequality is less pronounced.
Reflecting on some of the troubling developments during Trump’s presidency, she certainly touches on relevant realities. However, the book falls short in showcasing her political bravery. The ongoing issues stemming from the Trump administration can be traced back to the very policies Harris has, in some ways, supported as vice president.
Ultimately, “107 Days” may come across as more of an attempt to navigate her political history rather than a strong challenge to the current narrative.
