Have you heard the sigh of relief coming from California? No, that’s not the news that the Russian tsunami risk is over; it’s the joy people there are experiencing after the news that Kamala Harris won’t run for governor.
Here’s the note she sent to whoever remains a Kamala backer:
Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history, and the best way for me to continue fighting for the American people and advancing the values and ideals I hold dear.
I am a devout public servant, and from the earliest days of my career, I have believed that the best way I could make a difference in people’s lives and fight for a better future was to improve the system from within. And it has been a profound honor to do that work and serve the people of California and our nation—as a prosecutor, Attorney General, United States Senator, and Vice President.
Kamala Harris
In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor. I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.
I have extraordinary admiration and respect for those who dedicate their lives to public service—service to their communities and to our nation. At the same time, we must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis. As we look ahead, we must be willing to pursue change through new methods and fresh thinking—committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook.
For now, my leadership—and public service—will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.
In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight.
– Kamala
The truth is, if I may be so bold as to speak the unvarnished truth, she did some test research and determined she was no slam dunk to follow in the footsteps of Gavin Newsom. Just last week, her former boyfriend and political mentor, Willie Brown, told her not to run. She’d lose, he said.
It was good advice.
Look, as just about everyone knows, if Kamala has a future in politics, she needs some time to mask the smell of her participation in the Biden Administration. She served a president who will go down in history as one of the worst. His policies, which were her policies, brought us accelerated inflation, wars in Ukraine and Israel, and a cluster*ck of a mess at the Southern border. It’s hard to overcome that, especially as the new Trump Administration is on such a roll with the success of his policies.
There may yet be a time for Kamala Harris. But most certainly not in the next political cycle.
In the meantime, Californians rejoice.
(Sherman Frederick is the owner of Marinscope Community Newspapers. You can read the whole column here.)
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