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A scorching resignation letter from a member of the Harris campaign paints a picture of low morale among staffers of a directionless campaign with “no real plan to win” ahead of the crucial Iowa caucus in 2020.
The New York Times reported that the sentiments expressed in the letter came from her former state operations manager Kelly Mehlenbacher which were corroborated by over 50 current and former frustrated campaign staffers and allies, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Mehlenbacher exposed the campaign's many problems and flaws ranging from the campaign's focus on the wrong states to targeting the wrong candidates.
The letter came a few days after a November staff meeting in which aides confronted campaign manager Juan Rodriguez about strategy and finances after myriad layoffs ahead of the campaign’s movement in Iowa.
“While I still believe Senator Harris is the strongest candidate” in 2020, Ms Mehlenbacher said, “I have never seen an organization treat its staff so poorly … I no longer have confidence in our campaign or its leadership. The treatment of our staff over the last two weeks was the final straw.”
She said it was “unacceptable” to move campaign staff from Washington DC to headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, “only to lay them off without notice” with “no plan for the campaign” and “without thoughtful consideration of the personal consequences to them or the consequences that their absence would have on the remaining staff.”
“While I still believe Senator Harris is the strongest candidate” in 2020, Ms Mehlenbacher said, “I have never seen an organization treat its staff so poorly … I no longer have confidence in our campaign or its leadership. The treatment of our staff over the last two weeks was the final straw.”
She said it was “unacceptable” to move campaign staff from Washington DC to headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, “only to lay them off without notice” with “no plan for the campaign” and “without thoughtful consideration of the personal consequences to them or the consequences that their absence would have on the remaining staff.”
Perhaps Kamala Harris is simply a heartless ex-prosecutor who put people into prison for marijuana possession, but laughedly admitted she smoked pot in college.
In the letter, dated 11 November, Ms Mehlenbacher said that “neither the campaign manager or the chair” had addressed the staff “to explain, apologize or reassure” those who remain.
“Something has got to give,” she said.
Staffers and allies within the campaign also criticized Ms Harris for retreating against Democratic rivals without clear messaging as to whether she straddles the moderate or progressive side of the party’s current ideological divide, according to the report, indicating that she doesn't know one part of her body from her elbow. She also faced criticism for having a confused health care plan and moving to a progressive criminal justice plan while dealing with her record as a prosecutor.
The letter reads: “Because we have refused to confront our mistakes, foster an environment of critical thinking, and honest feedback, or trust the expertise of talented staff, we find ourselves making the same unforced errors over and over.”
The report also says division within the campaign is in part due to leadership — Maya Harris directs the campaign, and is Kamala's sister, which makes it difficult to address their criticism of the candidate. And the list goes on.
In the letter, dated 11 November, Ms Mehlenbacher said that “neither the campaign manager or the chair” had addressed the staff “to explain, apologize or reassure” those who remain.
“Something has got to give,” she said.
Staffers and allies within the campaign also criticized Ms Harris for retreating against Democratic rivals without clear messaging as to whether she straddles the moderate or progressive side of the party’s current ideological divide, according to the report, indicating that she doesn't know one part of her body from her elbow. She also faced criticism for having a confused health care plan and moving to a progressive criminal justice plan while dealing with her record as a prosecutor.
The letter reads: “Because we have refused to confront our mistakes, foster an environment of critical thinking, and honest feedback, or trust the expertise of talented staff, we find ourselves making the same unforced errors over and over.”
The report also says division within the campaign is in part due to leadership — Maya Harris directs the campaign, and is Kamala's sister, which makes it difficult to address their criticism of the candidate. And the list goes on.
Marcia Fudge, an influential leader within the Congressional Black Caucus, who said she told Ms Harris that "there needs to be a change" and has urged the candidate to remove Mr Rodriguez. "The weakness is at the top," she said.
In a statement, Mr Rodriguez said: “Just like every campaign, we have made tough decisions to have the resources we need to place in Iowa and springboard into the rest of the primary calendar.”
But the good news is, we won't have Kamala Harris to deal with in the not-too- distant future, if things continue to circle the bowl as they have been. We will not have to hear her annoying nervous and inappropriate laughter, nor her often snide remarks and constant racial points about victimhood.
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