Washington: Kamala Harris is wrapping up her term as vice president, and it’s a big deal. This is the first time since 2004 that she won’t hold an elected office. Can you believe it?
As she signed her desk in her office, her husband Doug snapped a photo. Harris joked, “It’s not my nature to go quietly into the night.” So, what’s next for her?
She hasn’t laid out any specific plans yet, except for heading back to California. There’s buzz about her possibly writing a book or even running for governor or president again. At 60, she’s still got plenty of time in the political game.
Donna Brazile, a veteran in the Democratic Party, told Harris to take a break and enjoy some downtime. They both laughed, knowing that once you’re in politics, it’s hard to go back to a normal life.
Harris had a mix of ordinary and extraordinary moments during her term. She tackled issues like migration and abortion rights while also representing the U.S. abroad. But she sometimes struggled to stand out in a role that doesn’t have a lot of defined responsibilities.
She made history as the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to be vice president. Last year, she found herself in a unique position when Biden endorsed her as his successor, leaving her to sprint for the presidency against Trump.
Many Democrats felt Biden’s decision to run put Harris in a tough spot. She faced criticism for her campaign strategy, especially for teaming up with Liz Cheney, a former Republican. Some thought she should have focused more on a populist message.
Minyon Moore, who led last year’s Democratic National Convention, said there’s no playbook for what Harris went through. It was a tough campaign, and she hasn’t really talked about her loss or shared her thoughts on the election.
Harris wanted to finish her term with a trip abroad, but wildfires in Los Angeles changed her plans. She stayed in Washington to avoid taking resources away from local responders.
Even with the canceled trip, she’s been reaching out to foreign leaders, showing she’s still interested in global issues. She was in the Oval Office to see Biden’s farewell address, and they shared a warm moment afterward.
Harris’s journey in the vice presidency was shaped by the pandemic and her role in the Senate. She often had to cast tiebreaking votes, making her a key player in advancing important legislation.
She had to carve out her role, and it took some time. Moore recalled a meeting where Harris focused on nominating a Supreme Court justice who could write dissenting opinions, which led to Biden nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson.
One of her main tasks was addressing migration from Central America, but it became a political challenge. Republicans labeled her the “border czar,” even though fewer migrants came from the targeted countries.
Harris met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy just before the Russian invasion and traveled to Africa to strengthen U.S. ties. She also made multiple trips to Southeast Asia to counter China’s influence.
Abortion rights became a major focus for her after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Harris took the lead on this issue, which opened up new opportunities for her.
Nadia Brown, a professor at Georgetown, believes Harris will be remembered for breaking barriers in politics. She’s changed perceptions about what a leader can look like.
Now, the big question is what Harris will do next. “It’s not over,” Brown said, but the next chapter is still a mystery.
