Former Biden Official Discusses Harris 2028 on Live TV

By
Gregory McMullen
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris continues to lead early polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, but her position atop the field has done little to quiet skepticism from some Democrats who question whether she would be a stronger candidate than she was in 2020 or 2024.

On Monday, New York Magazine published an article under the headline, “Like It or Not, Kamala Harris Is the Front-runner,” reflecting what national polling has consistently shown in recent months.


According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Harris leads the Democratic field with 27.9 percent support. California Gov. Gavin Newsom follows at 16.6 percent, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stands at 11.3 percent, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York is at 8.8 percent.

Not every measure points in the same direction. Prediction markets have painted a different picture. As of Thursday, Kalshi listed Newsom as the favorite to win the Democratic nomination, while Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff—who ranks well behind the leading candidates in most public polling—was also viewed as a stronger contender than his survey numbers alone would suggest.

Even with Harris leading in the polls, questions remain about whether Democratic voters will ultimately rally behind her.


New York Magazine reported that Harris has largely stayed out of the spotlight while privately positioning herself for another presidential campaign.

According to the article, advisers close to Harris remain convinced the 2024 election was unwinnable under the circumstances. They reportedly point to former President Joe Biden’s late withdrawal from the race, the compressed campaign calendar, and the broader political environment as reasons Harris fell short.

One supporter quoted by the magazine said Harris believes she would have prevailed had she relied more heavily on her own instincts rather than campaign consultants.

“She is looking for where the wave is going and is determined to ride it,” the supporter said. “Her mindset is that I should have won, and I am going to do it my way because my way would have won.”


Whether Democratic primary voters share that assessment remains an open question.

Michael LaRosa, who served in the Biden administration as press secretary to first lady Jill Biden, offered a far less optimistic outlook during an appearance on Fox News.

“I don’t think they’re going to give Kamala Harris a third at-bat,” LaRosa said.

He argued that Harris has struggled to project decisive leadership and connect with voters in unscripted settings.


“She follows. She doesn’t take risks. She calculates,” LaRosa said, according to The Hill. “She doesn’t answer questions, she equivocates. She’s got to get over that if she wants to make a connection with people, but I don’t think she’s going to get a third at-bat.”

LaRosa also suggested he would prefer to see another Democrat emerge as the party’s nominee.

“I want somebody who can run the country. I want somebody who is competent. I love Rahm Emanuel, Gavin Newsom. I like Pete Buttigieg,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports indicate Harris has been meeting with influential figures in the Democratic Party, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other prominent progressives, as she continues to maintain relationships across different factions of the party.


Still, Harris enters any discussion of 2028 carrying a political résumé unlike that of most potential rivals.

Her 2020 presidential campaign ended before the first primary votes were cast. She then became vice president after Joe Biden selected her as his running mate and later became the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 after Biden withdrew from the race following a widely criticized debate performance.

She ultimately lost the general election to Donald Trump.

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