Kamala Harris says she ‘supports’ Democrats who want her to stay off midterm campaign trail

WASHINGTON, DC: On Thursday, Sept 3, former Vice President Kamala Harris addressed reports that some Democrats in Republican-leaning states want her to steer clear of their midterm campaigns. She said she’s behind whatever helps candidates come out on top: “They should do whatever they need to do to win.”

Politico reported that a handful of well-known Democrats running in tight races, especially in states that went for Trump, have made it clear they’d rather not have Harris on the campaign trail with them.

Candidates distancing themselves from the ticket

MS NOW’s Peter Alexander confronted Harris to respond to reporting that red state Democrats are asking her to stay far away from their midterm races.

Alexander showed a Politico headline on screen to Harris that read, "Kamala Harris is wading into the midterms. Red state Dems want her to stay away," before asking if she could respond to the report. "Politico reports that you are wading into some of the midterms and that red state, not blue or purple state, but red state Democrats in states that Donald Trump won are encouraging you to stay away for fear it could impact their races there. Your response to some of that reporting?"

Harris replied, "Listen, Peter, we need to win, OK? Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally, I’ve run for statewide office and, obviously, nationally. And these candidates know what they need to do to win, and I would expect nothing less."

"I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve. Lower costs, affordable healthcare, affordable childcare, you name it," she added. "So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win."

According to Politico, "Iowa’s two most prominent Democratic candidates have said they do not want Harris to campaign for them. Alaska’s Democratic Senate nominee rejected a fundraising solicitation Harris sent on her behalf. And a swing-district Democrat in Wisconsin and a long-shot Senate hopeful in Kansas both told Politico they would prefer Harris keep her distance."

A divided party, critics say

Democratic consultant Julian Epstein argued the episode reflects a broader identity crisis within the party.

"The problem with postmodern Democrats is that they lack self-awareness, especially when it comes to swing voters needed to win most elections," Epstein said.

"Moderate Democrats don't want Kamala because they think she's an empty suit who can't answer tough questions. They also think she's way too far left. When confronted, Democrats have this reflex of deflecting, saying what's really important is doubling down on a bloated welfare state, the same welfare state expansionism that failed us during the Biden years."

Former RNC national spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko was more pointed, calling Harris' response "extremely weak and awkward" given her uncertain political standing. "It’s a sad state of affairs when the former vice president is asked to remain off of the campaign trail because so many Democrats believe her record and unpopularity will hurt their chances in their own races.”

"We can’t forget that when Kamala Harris did, in fact, run for president, and her fate was left in the hands of the voters, she ended up dropping out of the 2020 Democratic primary before a single vote was cast," she added.