Anxiety is brewing within Kamala Harris’ campaign as new senior strategists take the reins of a team primarily staffed by individuals hired during Joe Biden’s tenure as the Democratic nominee, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Longtime supporters of Harris are also unhappy with the presence of certain Biden aides who have previously criticized the vice president, sources revealed.
This friction stems from a significant overhaul of the Democratic ticket less than three months before the election, a challenging task that involves merging two political worlds while also selecting a vice presidential candidate and competing against former President Donald Trump.
Furthermore, it necessitates establishing a new hierarchy within the organization.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, a former Biden White House official and campaign chair, expressed the need for specific assurances from Harris regarding the campaign’s new power players, such as David Plouffe, Barack Obama’s former campaign manager, to ensure they do not undermine her decision-making authority, sources told POLITICO. These sources, along with others detailing the internal dynamics of the campaign, have requested anonymity to disclose private conversations.
Following intense lobbying from advisers in Harris’ inner circle, Plouffe was eventually hired by the campaign to provide guidance, with O’Malley Dillon emphasizing the importance of maintaining Harris’ leadership role.
While some viewed the addition of Plouffe as a positive move, others criticized the title given to him – senior adviser for path to 270 and strategy – believing it downplayed his responsibilities, which are typically handled by a campaign manager.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the reassignment of Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez to focus on Sun Belt states in the American West and Latino voters, with some perceiving it as a diminishing of her authority within the campaign.
Despite these internal tensions, a senior Harris official clarified that the new duties assigned to Chavez Rodriguez were complementary to her existing role and that all incoming senior advisers, including Plouffe, had specific responsibilities. For Plouffe, his role involved closely collaborating with O’Malley Dillon and others to execute the campaign’s state-by-state strategy, in addition to advising Harris.
Other additions to the team included veteran strategist Stephanie Cutter as senior adviser on message and strategy, Mitch Stewart as senior adviser for battleground states, and Jen Palmieri as senior adviser for the second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
In an interview, O’Malley Dillon acknowledged the challenges of integrating new team members into an established campaign structure but emphasized the strong support for Harris and the successful collaboration between the staff.
While the campaign has faced initial hurdles due to the transition in leadership, O’Malley Dillon and other Biden loyalists have retained their influence within the organization. However, some Biden staffers who previously worked on Harris’ portfolio have experienced changes in their roles and status, leading to concerns about potential disunity within the campaign.
Despite these challenges, Harris and her team remain focused on building a winning campaign and overcoming past obstacles to ensure a cohesive and effective operation.
As the campaign progresses towards the election, the internal tensions may either subside or escalate, posing a potential risk to the campaign’s effectiveness. Harris’ ability to lead a harmonious team will be put to the test as the campaign navigates through the upcoming challenges.
Overall, the campaign has made significant strides in a short period, with strong public support for the new ticket and a dedicated team working tirelessly towards a successful outcome.
The campaign’s digital strategist, Rob Flaherty, has played a crucial role in the transition and the campaign’s success, despite initial challenges faced by the team. The campaign remains focused on delivering a powerful message and engaging with voters across communities.
As the campaign continues to evolve, Harris and her team are committed to overcoming obstacles and building a cohesive and loyal unit that can drive the campaign towards victory.
