A former strategic consultant under former President Bill Clinton slammed Kamala Harris, outgoing vice president and failed presidential c...
A former strategic consultant under former President Bill Clinton slammed Kamala Harris, outgoing vice president and failed presidential candidate, as a "sore loser."
Barbara Heineback, a long-time Democratic staffer who first served under the late former President Jimmy Carter, aired out her disdain during an appearance on Sky News Australia. Her gripe stemmed from Harris' refusal to address her supporters on Election Night, Nov. 5, when it was clear that she lost the 2024 election to President-elect Donald Trump. At the time, Harris and her supporters were monitoring the race at Howard University in the District of Columbia.
"I am so disappointed and really insulted that I'm a Howard [alumna] and that she didn't have the decency to walk out and say [something] to her university, make a comment to the United States. Things were not looking well for her," Heineback said. "It wasn't completely over, but short of a miracle. We knew which way this was going, and she didn't have some grace. I mean, it shows us how classless she actually is; a sore loser."
Heineback further described Harris as "such a poor candidate," noting that her refusal to select Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate was "the biggest mistake" she made. Instead of Shapiro, the incumbent vice president picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to accompany her on the ticket.
"She had an ace in the hole, and she didn't take that. Shapiro is so well respected [and] liked, he's doing an incredible job in Pennsylvania. She is so completely insecure that she could not have someone that bright around her to upstage her and outshine her. This is why she didn't select him, I'm pretty sure," Heineback continued.
Harris did concede election to Trump – but only after Election Day
Despite this, Heineback said there was a silver lining with Harris' actions following the results of the Nov. 5 presidential elections.
"Even though it's painful for her [and] for the Democrats, I think America might be relieved at recognizing and realizing they don't have to put up with this any longer. If this is what they were walking into, maybe it's better that it gets cut at the nip right now."
Heineback's complaint centered around the outgoing vice president's refusal to address her supporters – it was only after Election Day that Harris did. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the former U.S. senator for California conceded to Trump in a speech at her alma mater.
"The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris told supporters. "But hear me when I say: The light of America's promise will always burn bright."
The vice president also confirmed that she had congratulated Trump on his victory, and stressed that the Democrats "had to accept the results of the election to preserve democracy." Harris also promised to facilitate a "peaceful transfer of power" – something many conservatives expressed doubt about.
Outgoing President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the presidential race in June to give way for Harris, reiterated his support for his vice president. He praised the former California attorney general and said choosing her as his second-in-command was "the best decision" he made.
"What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire," Biden said in a statement, adding that she will continue to be a "leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America's future."