From behind-the-scenes election revelations to calls for justice and youth political power, Harris delivers a message of resilience and possibility at the Arsht Center.
Jonathan Roman | Staff Writer
Former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Miami to promote her book, 107 Days. Harris ended her 58-day tour at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Kamala Harris last came to Miami in April 2023 for her “Fight for our freedoms College Tour,” notably stopping at FIU Ocean Bank Arena. The former Vice President did not campaign in Florida during the 2024 election; however, she returned to promote her book 107 Days. The book provides a behind-the-scenes insight into Harris’ run for president, with diary-like entries that count down to Election Day.
The event was moderated by Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, alongside her “emotional support poodle,” ChaCha. The Arsht Center was filled with supporters of Harris, who gave her an enthusiastic welcome.
Navarro began by asking Harris about the day President Biden dropped out of the race. Harris did not expect the President to drop out, adding, “We had been campaigning for a year for the re-election. The night before, I was doing an event at P-town.” Harris detailed how she immediately began calling members of Congress, party leaders, and DNC delegates to secure enough votes to become the Democratic nominee, a process she was able to complete in hours.
Before her stop in Miami, Harris attended former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral in Washington, D.C., where she was seated next to Joe and Jill Biden. Navarro asked Harris about her relationship with Jill Biden. Harris said, “We have been through fire together,” adding she gave President Biden a gift for his birthday, which occurred that same Thursday.
Despite rumors and reports of friction between Harris and the Biden family, she said, “As in any close relationship where the stakes are high, and the attacks are coming, relationships are complex. I love Joe Biden. I care deeply about him, and that’s not going to change.” Harris said that she “had thoughts about the conversation I should have had with the President” on seeking another term, but added she was in a difficult position as vice president.
Harris talked about Election Night, stating that “the most difficult chapter was the chapter on election night,” adding, “That night I felt something I only felt when my mother died. It was grief.” Harris said she repeated to herself, “My God, my God, my God.” I was in a state of shock; Despite the grief, Harris had to deliver her concession speech to Donald Trump, stating, “I knew how many people felt something was possible. I didn’t want people to be completely deflated.”
Harris said, “I predicted just about everything that happened.” However, she encouraged the audience not to give up their “sense of possibility,” likening back to her concession speech, that “sometimes the fight takes a while.” Harris added, “This is a fight for something, not against something. And in particular about our country, this is our country, and so we fight for it.”
Navarro asked Harris about current news, including the Epstein Files. Harris said she was glad Trump signed the bill to release the files. Harris, who worked as a prosecutor and fought for people who were sexually assaulted and abused, said, “If this were happening in the hood, what do you think would be happening? We have work to do to bring justice to vulnerable people, no matter who they are and who the perpetrator will be.”
However, Harris remains concerned about the independence of the Department of Justice, stating, “I, as president, would have never told the attorney general who to prosecute and who to go after; this is our Department of Justice, not his private law firm. There is nothing about this that is normal, and we cannot normalize it.”
Harris declined to say whether she would run in 2028, instead noting that campaigns require significant stamina — “I definitely have it” — and that misinformation makes the process “look easier than it is.” Asked about sexism and racism in her election loss, she highlighted being “the first in every elected position except one” and the first woman vice president. She acknowledged these barriers “exist” but said she has “never allowed them to detour me,” adding she “may be the first, but will not be the last.”
Harris talked about young leaders and surprised the audience when stating, “We should lower the voting age to 16,” which received mixed responses, adding, “I love Gen Z.”
Because the event was held in Miami, Navarro asked Harris about the singer Bad Bunny’s endorsement. Harris added that it was coincidental since, just the day before, comedian Tony Hinchliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Nonetheless, Harris said it was a moment, “God just winks at you like, I got you,” adding that she’s a fan of Bad Bunny.
After leaving office in January, rumors began circulating that the Vice President would run for governor of California. However, Harris chose not to run for Governor in the summer; instead, she told her allies and advisers to keep her options open.
About Post Author
