Vice President Kamala Harris has been described as having exceptionally keen sensitivity to criticism, causing frustration within President Biden’s inner circle, as detailed in a forthcoming book by journalist Franklin Foer, titled “The Last Politician.”
According to Foer’s account, Harris’s perceived insecurity about public perception led some of her colleagues to humorously compare her to creatures with large ears, suggesting she had what they called “rabbit ears.” Whenever any hint of criticism arose, whether within the West Wing or in the media, Harris appeared acutely attuned to it.
Rather than dismiss negative feedback, she sought to identify its source and content. For instance, when she came across a particularly damaging news story that criticized her management of her team, she reportedly distanced herself from an aide she suspected of cooperating with reporters.
Foer noted, “She allowed criticism to influence her decisions. Instead of steadfastly focusing on her Central America responsibilities, she appeared to adopt prevailing opinions about the assignment, ultimately neglecting an opportunity to achieve a substantial accomplishment.”
In the same chapter, Foer pointed out that while President Biden treated Harris with utmost respect, he didn’t delegate to her the kind of substantive role he himself played during his tenure in the Obama administration. Biden had been instrumental in filling gaps in Obama’s experience, but he didn’t depend on Harris in the same manner that Obama had relied on Biden.
Foer further explained that Ron Klain assumed the role of Harris’s mentor but found it challenging to guide her productively. Klain believed that Harris was imposing overly restrictive limitations on herself, refusing to work on issues related to women or race. She insisted on having a predominantly female staff, including a Black woman as her chief of staff, which Klain believed was creating too many rules, hindering her progress.
According to Foer, Harris constantly sought new issues to add to her portfolio but hesitated to embrace them when they were suggested to her. Even when she expressed interest in overseeing relations with Scandinavia, away from the spotlight, she encountered initial resistance when she later requested a substantial role in voting rights, a situation that did not bolster her confidence.
It appears that Harris’s interactions with staff she did not fully know or trust, coupled with Biden’s limited involvement in her development, contributed to these challenges. Despite initially committing to regular weekly lunches with Harris, Biden’s engagement waned over time.
As of now, neither the vice president’s office nor the White House has offered any immediate comments on these revelations.
“The Last Politician” by Franklin Foer, published by Penguin Random House, is set to be released on Tuesday.