Former Democratic Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill has her own distinct theory as to why Vice President Kamala Harris lost Tuesday’s presidential election, and talking about it Wednesday forced her to sob on MSNBC.
During an appearance on “Deadline: White House,” McCaskill couldn’t help but break down when asked about her feelings on the election outcome. She further commented on the arduous path Harris has taken in her political career.
“I’m so proud of her. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to get to where she was. As a woman, getting elected DA, it’s not easy, guys. People don’t trust women to be in charge of making decisions about life and death and crime and being frankly a supervisor in some ways over police,” McCaskill said. “Her fighting through the primary thicket of California politics to become attorney general. Really hard. I mean, this is really hard stuff.”
As San Francisco’s district attorney and California’s attorney general, Harris aligned with police unions. Harris, who once called herself California’s “top cop,” faced criticism from some progressives over her prosecutorial record in the state.
She noted Harris’ resilience in bouncing back from a disappointing 2024 presidential campaign bid where McCaskill feels Harris lost her authentic edge due to over-reliance on consultants.
“For her to be selected as vice president after what I think she would tell you was a very disappointing presidential race where I think she kind of lost her footing and was listening too much to consultants, frankly,” McCaskill added.
McCaskill lauded Harris’ political ac_umen, especially her ability to navigate her role.
“It didn’t really exude who she was. And then to be vice president and to step into the most difficult situation in the world where she had to be completely loyal to Joe Biden and respectful of the fact that he had chosen her, but yet maneuver in a situation,” McCaskill continued. “I mean, such political skill, it is just inspiring people who don’t understand what she had to do to get to this moment. And so I’m just very proud of her.”
Despite Harris’ political experience, Democratic strategist James Carville attributed Harris’ electoral defeat to Trump to several key factors. He cited President Joe Biden’s late withdrawal in July, Harris’ inability to differentiate herself and a perceived lack of organization as the primary reasons for her loss.
Featured Image Credit: Medill DC
