A Kamala Win Would Cost Democrats Generational Talent

They Know a Win in 2024, Would Hurt Long Term

Once upon a time, there was a woman named Hillary Clinton; after losing her bid for the presidency in 2008, she bided her time and became the de facto nominee in 2016, even before the primaries began. Aside from a cranky socialist from Vermont, all other Democrats were told to stand down.

Democrats had been riding high in the decade prior, winning landslides in 2006 and 2008 that brought in a generation of new talent that could run for the White House.

At one point or another, Govs. Mike Bebee (Ark.), Steve Beshear (Ky.), Deval Patrick (Mass.), Andrew Cuomo (N.Y.), Jay Nixon (Missouri), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) Jim Webb (Virg.), Mark Warner (Virg.), Tammy Baldwin (Wisc.), and Russ Feingold (Wisc.) were all eyed entering the 2016 presidential race but stopped before they started because Hillary had secured the major donors and endorsements.

A generation of Democratic talent saw their hopes of a White House run die because of Hillary Clinton’s ambition and Barack Obama’s near unwavering support.

Fast-forward to today and Democrats find themselves in a similar situation. Kamala Harris is nearly a decade younger than Hillary when she ran in 2016, and Democrats are lining up to support her. Still, very few ambitious Democrats are eager to join her ticket.