Executive Experience
🧭 Question: Has the candidate run a government or large-scale operation?
➖ Limited — Vice President from 2021–2025, but no executive role like governor or cabinet secretary. Her experience includes high-level exposure, but limited administrative leadership.
Legislative Experience
📜 Question: Has the candidate written, passed, or negotiated legislation?
✅ Yes — U.S. Senator from California (2017–2021), with involvement in high-profile hearings and committee work. However, legislative output was modest.
Federal Cabinet Role
🏛️ Question: Has the candidate worked in a Cabinet-level leadership role?
➖ Somewhat — As Vice President, Harris participated in Cabinet discussions and led federal initiatives, but had limited policy execution authority.
National Electability
🗳️ Question: Can this candidate appeal across states and demographic lines?
➖ Mixed — While historically significant and widely recognized, Harris’s national campaign in 2020 stalled early, and her 2024 performance failed to energize independents and swing voters.
Statewide Electability
🌐 Question: Has the candidate shown electability to a state-sized electorate?
✅ Yes — Successfully elected statewide in California as Attorney General and Senator.
Party Trust
🤝 Question: Does the candidate have strong allies and trust within the party?
✅ Moderate — Viewed as loyal and aligned with the establishment, though some party insiders express concerns over her effectiveness and clarity of message.
Grassroots Support
🌱 Question: Do voters at the base level show passion and long-term support?
➖ Weak — Harris has struggled to build enduring enthusiasm among grassroots activists compared to other progressive figures.
Military Service
🎖️ Question: Has the candidate served honorably in military leadership?
❌ None
Business Experience
💼 Question: Has the candidate led or operated a business at scale?
❌ None — Harris’s background is in law and public service.
Wealth / Personal Assets
💰 Question: Does the candidate have independent financial means or backing?
➖ Moderate — Financially stable but not independently wealthy. Relies heavily on donor networks.
Property Ownership
🏡 Question: Is the candidate rooted in a community?
✅ Yes — Longtime California resident with strong ties to the Bay Area political scene.
Demographic Appeal
🌍 Question: Does the candidate’s identity help connect with voters?
✅ Yes — As the first woman, Black, and South Asian Vice President, Harris brings powerful symbolic value across multiple demographics.
Cultural Resonance
🎭 Question: Can the candidate connect emotionally or symbolically with Americans?
➖ Moderate — While historic, her public appearances have been uneven in tone. Symbolic appeal hasn’t always translated into strong emotional resonance.
Media Presence / Communication
📺 Question: Can the candidate effectively influence public perception?
➖ Inconsistent — Harris has high visibility but has struggled to craft consistent or compelling public messaging.
🧩 Final Thoughts
Kamala Harris is a seasoned political figure with broad name recognition and symbolic value, but she faces challenges related to executive experience, grassroots enthusiasm, and message control. Her path to the 2028 nomination would likely require a clear strategic reset, a demonstration of strong leadership, and efforts to inspire trust both inside the party and among undecided voters.