Vice President Kamala Harris declared she still considers herself a leader in the Democratic Party despite her defeat in the 2024 presidential election against Donald Trump.

According to The New York Post, Harris made this assertion during an interview with The Wall Street Journal while promoting her new book "107 Days," which chronicles her failed presidential campaign. "I was the Democratic nominee for president," Harris told the Journal during her Philadelphia book tour stop, adding, "I came close to winning. Of course I do."

The former vice president's comments come as she faces growing criticism from within her own party, with many Democrats ready to move on from her leadership and questioning her political future. Her insistence on maintaining a leadership role has sparked debate about the direction of the Democratic Party following their 2024 defeat.

Book Tour Sparks Backlash From Democratic Allies

Harris declined to reveal whether her current book tour signals the beginning of a political comeback aimed at a potential 2028 presidential run. The ambiguity surrounding her future plans has left many Democrats uncertain about the party's leadership structure moving forward.

Party insiders told the Journal that Harris' leadership within the Democratic Party is weakening, as evidenced by the critical reception to her new memoir. Some longtime supporters expressed to the outlet they are ready to move beyond Harris, while more vocal Democrats are publicly criticizing her re-emergence on the political scene.

The book has particularly drawn fire for its critical portrayal of former President Joe Biden and her vice-presidential selection process, including unflattering characterizations of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Harris described Shapiro as overly ambitious and suggested Buttigieg would have been a politically risky running mate alongside a Black woman.

Former Staffers Question Harris' Political Strategy

Ashley Etienne, who previously served as Harris' communications director, criticized the book as a missed opportunity to highlight the Biden administration's accomplishments. Her assessment reflects a growing sentiment that Harris missed a chance to solidify her legacy as the first female vice president.

Etienne told The Wall Street Journal she "would have advised her to write a different book, one that cements her legacy" rather than the approach Harris took. The former aide's comments reflect growing concerns about Harris' political messaging and future viability within the party.

Faiz Shakir, who managed Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, offered an even harsher assessment of Harris' memoir. "Her campaign struggled with being a campaign of conviction, of clarity, of deep, principled positions," Shakir remarked, adding that "it's a sign of weak leadership to just start blaming these kind of outside actors for your own shortcomings. It hurts the Democratic Party."

Biden's Mental Decline Remains Political Liability

Harris continues to face questions about her role during Biden's presidency, particularly regarding his declining mental acuity. This issue has become a significant obstacle to her political rehabilitation following the election loss.

Critics point to Harris' silence as Biden's cognitive abilities deteriorated throughout his term as her greatest political vulnerability. In her book, Harris acknowledges Biden "got tired" but defended her decision not to speak out, writing: "I don't believe it was incapacity. If I believed that, I would have said so. As loyal as I am to President Biden, I am more loyal to my country."

The former vice president has also recently created friction with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party during an MSNBC interview where she failed to mention socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani by name when discussing the New York City mayoral race. When pressed by the Journal about this omission, Harris insisted, "No, I did endorse Mamdani," and attempted to downplay party divisions by stating, "There is a lot of consensus around the priorities of this moment, and that's where I'm focused."

Post-Political Career Moves Draw Attention

Harris signed with Creative Artists Agency in February to represent her for speaking engagements and publishing opportunities. This move signals her transition into a post-government career that mirrors the path taken by many former high-ranking officials.

Sources told the Journal that the former vice president is commanding $250,000 per speech as she builds her post-White House career. This lucrative speaking circuit arrangement follows a pattern established by many former high-ranking government officials after leaving office.

While promoting her book, Harris has insisted she didn't write a tell-all, claiming "it's about just presenting people with a journal of my experience running for president of the United States." However, the critical reception from fellow Democrats suggests many in her party view the memoir as more self-serving than constructive for the party's future prospects.