Kamala Harris' 107 Days
26/10/25
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Most books written by politicians are self-aggrandising snoozefests; this could not be further from the truth for the thrilling account of one of the most important presidential campaigns in history. While the presidential election of 2024 may feel like ancient history to many, given the events of this year, this in-depth account of the campaign offers a fresh perspective and crucial lessons that Democrats should heed.
What is obvious throughout 107 Days is that Biden and his team were far more interested in salvaging his so-called ‘legacy’ than they were in ensuring that the MAGA movement was kept out of the halls of power. This first becomes clear when Harris reminds us of how the administration treated her during her time as vice president. She was given a series of jobs, such as being the so-called ‘Border Tsar’, without being given the requisite backing by the administration to be successful in them. On top of this, there was frequent hesitation from the administration’s press team to combat the often ridiculous smears from outlets such as Fox News, as they saw any gaffe Kamala Harris committed as an indirect positive, distracting from those made by President Biden.
This theme only developed when we discovered that Biden, after finally deciding to announce he was dropping out, wanted to wait for 48 hours before endorsing his VP. Some may defend this decision as wise, as it would prevent a so-called ‘coronation’ from taking place if Biden left room for a challenger for the nomination. My response to that is: then why commit to an endorsement at all?
Finally, the moronic decision of Biden to ring Harris just before her debate with Trump to tell her about both his own previous debate successes and that he had been contacted by many influential people in Pennsylvania, who were now considering not backing her. All of this demonstrates how Biden consistently dragged on Harris’ campaign, even more so than was obvious to the viewing public.
While there is plenty of criticism in this book of both Biden and his team, Harris does not shy away from her own faults. She openly admits that she did not appreciate just how unpopular President Biden and his policies had become until it was too late. This was undoubtedly a fatal flaw in her campaign, as the electorate revolted against what was widely seen as a wasted four years in office headed by an increasingly incapable old man.
BIDEN AND HARRIS, IMAGE: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The final takeaway for me from this book is the potential this campaign would have had if given more time. This argument is prevalent throughout the book, but three months is not long enough for a message to truly reach the American public, even in these ultra-connected times. Her bold policy vision on issues such as youth home ownership and energy, as well as her apt warnings about what a future Trump term would bring, simply did not have enough time to make the necessary impact. That is not to say these messages had no impact, given that Biden’s internal polling had Trump winning 400 electoral votes compared to his eventual 312. On top of this, she managed to avoid a wipeout in both the Senate and the House, something viewed as highly likely in early 2024. All of this leads to the now-unanswerable question: would she have won if she had more time?
The book concludes on both a sombre and uplifting note. Harris simultaneously details the horrific events of the past year and the administration’s deeply troubling acts. She warns us about the impact of the capitulation of American institutions and businesses to MAGA and its ideology, and the lasting impacts this may have. She also gives us hope; she tells us to look for the good in people we both agree with and disagree with. She tells us not to give up on the ideals of America, nor on the possibility that it will one day return to being the champion of liberal democracy we once admired. She admits the loss of the election and her role in officiating the results was a difficult moment for her, as it was for many of us, but she has not given up and neither should we.
Ultimately, the events of last year now pale into insignificance as the USA faces an administration that is reflective of the rot that has always existed within the darkest depths of its soul. The disregard for the Constitution, the cult of personality, and the use of the army and police were all things Harris warned about to no avail. While blame for the return of the poisonous MAGA movement belongs on many people’s feet, there is little doubt, reading this book, that, once again, as throughout history, an old man selfishly pursued his legacy ahead of the good of the country, which is now paying the price. This book does not change any of this, but what it sheds light on is essential when understanding how America got here, and what the left must do if it is to return to the corridors of power.
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