Kamala Harris: America Is At Breaking Point & I'm Deeply Concerned About The State Of The Country!

Personal Disappointments and Campaign Reflections [00:00]

• The speaker openly admits to being greatly disappointed and at times angered by President Biden's actions, citing an unnecessary call received on the crucial day of a debate with Trump.
• There's a stated regret for not having more time during a past campaign and specifically for not participating in Joe Rogan's show, attributing the missed opportunity to "games being played."
• The emotional impact of the 2020 election night loss is described as a state of shock, with an intensity of emotion comparable to the grief felt upon her mother's death, coupled with a profound concern for the nation's future.

"The stakes were so high. And the president calls and he said to me, it just was so unnecessary."

Shaping Influences and Early Career [05:18]

• The speaker attributes her drive for justice and equality to her parents and the community that raised her, highlighting her mother's arrival from India at 19 and her alignment with the Civil Rights Movement in California.
• Service and helping others are described as deeply interwoven into her DNA, a value reinforced by her parents who conveyed the message that "you are important and you have a duty to figure out how you're going to participate."
• Reflecting on her first date with her husband, Doug, she recalls remarking that her purpose was to "help people and to serve people," a sentiment that has guided her career choices away from private practice and towards protecting people and giving them dignity.
• Her eldest child status and her mother's early instruction to "take care of your sister" also contributed to a protective nature.

"My parents and the community that raised me. My mother arrived from India in the United States at the age of 19 by herself."

Legal Career and Public Service Milestones [07:54]

• The speaker details a remarkable career progression from deputy district attorney to California's Attorney General, making history as the first woman and first Black person to hold both roles.
• Significant accomplishments include securing $25 billion in homeowner relief after the 2008 crisis, launching the "Back on Track LA" rehabilitation program, and making California the first state to mandate body cameras for justice agents.
• Despite these achievements, the sentiment is that "there's so much more to be done," driven by a personal strength and perhaps weakness of liking to solve problems and then moving on to the next challenge without dwelling on past successes.
• Her work involved confronting the "darkest parts of reality" and "worst of human behavior," including specializing in child sexual assault cases, which were profoundly difficult due to their heinous nature and the challenges of obtaining convictions for very young victims.

"There's so much more to be done. There's so much more to be done."

Navigating Pressure and Personal Growth [11:33]

• The speaker manages stress and responsibility through a consistent daily workout routine, emphasizing its importance for mind, body, and soul.
• She acknowledges significant personal change over time, with the magnitude of pressure increasing, but her sense of personal responsibility has remained constant, holding herself to a very high standard.
• Comparing her current self to her 24-year-old prosecutor self, she notes the former was "fearless" and didn't readily accept "no, it can't be done."
• A key shift in perspective is learning to "sit better with the idea that you can't change everyone," leading to a more realistic, yet not jaded, approach to assessing situations and potential.

"Well, this may sound trit, but I work out every day."

The Path to Presidential Ambition and Imposter Syndrome [15:14]

• The realization of wanting to run for President of the United States occurred while she was in the Senate, prompted by a casual remark from a friend.
• Unlike some who "look in the mirror every day and see a president," this ambition was not a lifelong pursuit but rather a thought that "germinated."
• Her experience as Vice President, meeting over 150 world leaders and engaging in significant negotiations, solidified her awareness of the job's importance and her own capability to perform it effectively.
• Imposter syndrome is acknowledged, particularly upon first being elected District Attorney, but it's reframed as a healthy humility stemming from an understanding of the seriousness of the responsibility entrusted by the people.

"It was when I was in the Senate. I ran into a friend who came up, Doug and I were at a basically a a family table in a local restaurant eating and he said to me, 'You should run for president.'"

Overcoming External Perceptions and Building Confidence [20:43]

• The speaker addresses the challenge of limitations imposed not only by oneself but also by others' perceptions based on appearance, gender, or race.
• She recounts instances of walking into rooms and being mistaken for someone else's subordinate due to not fitting the expected profile of leadership.
• The advice given is to "walk in that room, chin up, shoulders back," knowing the support of many who are not physically present, and to use one's voice.
• Tools for empowerment include recalling influential figures like her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Francis Wilson, and her mother, who instilled the belief that "don't you ever let anyone tell you who you are you tell them who you are."
• The core success strategy identified is the influence of someone who "convinced you you were special," providing a foundation of self-belief that can overcome external doubts.

"The added challenge is not only the limitations one puts on themselves but the limitations one might be met with around other people's perceptions about who can do what."

The Presidential Campaign and Vice Presidential Selection [27:43]

• The launch of her presidential campaign in January 2019 is mentioned, followed by her withdrawal later that year, primarily due to running out of money.
• She describes the "clandestine" process of being interviewed for the Vice President role by Joe Biden, involving multiple car changes and secure locations due to press scrutiny during the height of COVID-19.
• The vetting process for Vice President was extensive, including a "9-hour interview" covering taxes, professional records, and all aspects of her life, akin to a "colonoscopy."
• The selection ultimately comes down to chemistry and trust, ensuring a partnership where both individuals share similar reasons for pursuing the office.

"Mostly we ran out of money."

The Vice Presidency and Internal Dynamics [32:25]

• The role of Vice President is described as unique and unlike anything else, a position of "number two in command" with significant responsibility, evolving from historical precedent set by President Jimmy Carter.
• The speaker reveals that some of the president's staff actively suppressed her accomplishments, viewing her as a potential threat.
• She recounts hearing that the "lore has it that the outgoing chief of staff to the president will tell the incoming chief of staff to the incoming president, regardless of political party, Rule number one, watch the vice president."
• There was a perceived lack of desire from the staff to debunk inaccurate or unfair attacks against her, even though resources were available, suggesting a "zero-sum game" mentality among some.

"The vice president is kind of seen as a threat to the president."

Navigating Political Debates and Strategy [45:13]

• The debate between Biden and Trump is characterized as a "car crash," with an observation that the Democratic side seemed to be pretending everything was fine despite Biden's apparent struggle with articulation.
• The speaker notes that Donald Trump, to his credit, is able to "pounce" on perceived weaknesses.
• During her own debate camp preparation, a "fake Trump" played by Phipe was used, who "never broke character," highlighting the intense preparation involved.
• A conscious strategy during her debate was to "have fun," as she believes "the person who's having fun wins," which contrasted with Trump's visibly frustrated demeanor.
• The "cats and dogs" rumor, spread about Haitian immigrants, is cited as an example of Trump's "useless absurdity" strategy to create misdirection, shifting focus away from substantive issues like economic plans.

"It was a car crash. It was a historic car crash."

The Power of Emotional Messaging and Media Landscape [52:51]

• The speaker discusses how "useless absurdity" can define a brand more than practicality, referencing her own company's blue slide into a ballpit as a press focus.
• She identifies Trump as a "master labeler" (e.g., "Sleepy Joe") and a gifted communicator in this game.
• The counter-strategy involves being "relentless on focusing on what's actually happening" and deconstructing "gaslighting," which includes misrepresenting, lying, scapegoating, and distracting.
• It's noted that the emotional center of the brain (amygdala) is more impactful for memory and attention than rational arguments, explaining the effectiveness of fear-based messaging.
• The role of corporate-owned media versus independent media is questioned, with an appreciation for independent platforms.

"Useless absurdity defines will define you more as a brand than useful practicality."

Future Aspirations and the Nature of Public Service [01:07:43]

• When asked about running again for president, the speaker states she is currently focused on her book tour and does not want to be transactional.
• The case for running again is based on the potential to "make a difference" and offer something uplifting to the American people, getting the country on a "correct trajectory."
• The case against running involves the significant toll it takes on family and the necessity of being able to "take a punch."
• She acknowledges the difficulty of being misunderstood and facing hatred from those who don't know her, emphasizing that any pursuit of public office must be for "something that is bigger than yourself."
• The profound pain of the 2020 election loss is revisited, described as a deep grief and a realization of the "harm that was going to happen to people."

"Are you going to run again?"

Reflection on Past Decisions and the Democratic Party [01:17:10]

• Reflecting on the 107 days of her campaign, she regrets not prioritizing family policy earlier, such as the child tax credit, affordable childcare, and paid family leave, believing these issues directly affect Americans.
• She suggests the Democratic Party needs to "get their shit together" and take responsibility for losing the "game of chess," emphasizing the need for strategic improvement.
• The proposal to lower the voting age to 16 is made, arguing that Gen Z, having only known the climate crisis and experiencing educational disruptions from the pandemic, would be more engaged in issues critical to their future.
• The speaker highlights the importance of bold solutions and effective communication, advocating for the Democratic Party to connect with the one-third of the electorate that didn't vote in 2024.

"The Democratic party needs to get their shit together so that they don't lose the game again."

The Impact of Loss and Resilience [01:39:11]

• The experience of election loss is described as akin to "phantom limb syndrome," where the constant drive and adrenaline of campaigning abruptly stops, leading to a period of difficulty in processing the outcome.
• The speaker acknowledges going through stages of grief and the struggle to reconcile the feeling of helplessness with the knowledge that "something must be done."
• The enduring spirit of her mother, who faced challenges with fierce resilience, continues to be a source of inspiration, even in the face of current political turmoil.
• The profound impact of love and support systems, like her husband Doug, is emphasized as crucial for navigating the ups and downs of life and public service.

"I had a hard time reconciling. We can't still do something about it."

The Power of Transparency and Voice [01:07:02]

• The modern requirement for leaders and brands is to be more like a "glass box" and less like a "black box," emphasizing transparency in the digital age.
• The book "107 Days" is presented as an effort to "lift up the hood" on the political process, allowing people to understand how it runs and to see themselves in their own power.
• The decision to run in the past, despite the outcome, is not regretted because the campaign "turned something on" in people, fostering optimism and joy, and inspiring many to take action or pursue their own goals.

"I'm not going to let that piece of American history be written without my voice being present."