Harris Seeks Progressive Support Ahead of Potential 2028 White House Bid
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly courting key progressive power players, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, as speculation builds around another possible White House bid in 2028. The phone call with Mamdani is said to be part of a larger effort to shore up support from factions of the party that didn't support her during her 2024 run. Harris also met with progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez behind the scenes at a Black women empowerment summit in Chicago. These moves suggest Harris is taking steps to strengthen her ties within the progressive wing of the party.
Harris has also been reaching out to pro-Palestinian groups, after facing pushback from those groups during her 2024 presidential run. She reportedly made contact with at least one group that was part of the "Uncommitted Movement" developed in response to President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel and Gaza conflict. This move has sparked criticism from conservatives, who argue it is a sign of Harris's willingness to kowtow to radical leftists within the party.
Mamdani's influence within the party has grown significantly since he took office in January. His endorsement of socialist-aligned candidates in the New York Democratic primary last month saw a clean sweep of victories. The move has been seen as a sign of the party's shift to the left, with some arguing that it poses a threat to the country's values and institutions.
Others have expressed concern that Harris's efforts to court progressive support are a sign of the party's desperation. "Kamala Harris 2020 was desperate, Kamala Harris 2024 was pathetic, Kamala Harris 2028 will be unhinged," one Republican strategist was quoted as saying. The party's struggles have been highlighted by the recent primary results, which saw a number of socialist-aligned candidates win key races.
The party's shift to the left has been a source of concern for some, who argue that it poses a threat to the country's values and institutions. "The fact that she's courting people like Mamdani, these socialists and communists, it goes back to the radical leftists, because the Democrats are in big trouble as a party," one Republican leader was quoted as saying. The party's struggles have led some to call for a return to more moderate policies, in an effort to appeal to a broader range of voters.
