Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has publicly expressed his concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris' chances in the 2024 presidential race during a candid interview.
Fox News reported that Brown suggested that Harris might suffer from a "Hillary syndrome," where likability could be a significant issue in her campaign.
In a recent interview, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown opened up about Vice President Kamala Harris' prospects in the 2024 presidential race. Brown candidly shared his nervousness about Harris' likability with voters, suggesting that this might be a critical challenge for her campaign.
Brown, who had a well-documented extramarital relationship with Harris in the ‘90s, made a striking comparison between Harris’ situation and that of Hillary Clinton. He referred to it as "Hillary syndrome," the notion that voters might not take a liking to Harris, which he indicated could be an unfixable issue.
The interview, which was conducted before President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance and subsequent withdrawal from the 2024 race, highlights some of the strategic concerns for the Democratic Party moving forward.
Brown and Harris' relationship dates back to the mid-90s when Harris was working at the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Their relationship, which Brown has openly acknowledged, involved him appointing Harris to two state commissions and assisting in her career as she embarked on her first race for the San Francisco district attorney position.
Despite their past connections, Brown mentioned in the interview that he is no longer in touch with Harris. His openness about their past provides a unique perspective on his current opinions and advice for her campaign.
In 2019, Brown admitted to playing a role in advancing Harris' career, stating, "Yes, I may have influenced her career by appointing her to two state commissions when I was [California] Assembly speaker. And I certainly helped with her first race for district attorney in San Francisco."
Brown offered several pieces of strategic advice for Harris as she steps forward in the 2024 race. He advised her to downplay her gender and ethnicity with the rationale that “the voters want her to answer them.”
Furthermore, he recommended that Harris adopt a vague political platform. According to Brown, this strategy would keep voters continually guessing and allow Harris to adjust her stance based on the electorate's evolving perceptions.
Brown's insights come from a place of political strategy, as he emphasized the importance of adapting the campaign’s messages to suit a broad range of voter expectations and preferences.
President Joe Biden's exit from the 2024 race has had a significant impact on the Democratic Party and Harris' candidacy. The Democratic Party has been invigorated by Harris' decision to run, resulting in a surge of support and record-setting fundraising amounts.
This renewed energy is evident in recent polling numbers. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted shortly after Biden's withdrawal showed a rise in Harris' favorability from 35% to 43%, marking a notable boost for her campaign.
Brown believed Biden's timely exit was crucial for the party. He argued that Biden should step down immediately to allow the country ample time to perceive Harris as president “before the election.”
Willie Brown is no stranger to offering political advice to Kamala Harris. In 2020, he suggested that she should pursue the attorney general position instead of the vice presidency. This advice was based on the belief that being attorney general would grant Harris enough distance from the White House, preserving her viability as a presidential candidate for future elections in 2024 or 2028.
Brown wrote at the time, "Best of all, being attorney general would give Harris enough distance from the White House to still be a viable candidate for the top slot in 2024 or 2028, no matter what the state of the nation." This historical advice echoes his continued strategic perspective on Harris' political trajectory.
As Harris advances in the 2024 election, addressing the likability factor will be a central focus of her campaign. Brown's advice to maintain a broad and adaptable platform while mitigating emphasis on gender and ethnicity could shape her strategy in the coming months.
Harris’s campaign, energized by recent developments, will need to navigate these complexities to capitalize on the favorable momentum generated by Biden's exit and the surge in party support.
In conclusion, Willie Brown’s candid discussion reveals a layer of insight into the strategic challenges and opportunities for Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign.
His concerns about likability, advice on campaign strategy, and historical context provide a comprehensive perspective on her candidacy.
With the Democratic Party's energized base and a strategic approach, Harris will look to build on her favorable momentum in the upcoming election.
