Chuck Todd Offers ‘Warning’ to Kamala Harris Over Political Future: ‘I Just Don’t See a Path For Her’
Chuck Todd advised former Vice President Kamala Harris to “be above politics” for the next few years amid talk of her potentially running for governor in California — or even seeking the White House again.
Todd joined NBCLA’s News Conference with anchor Conan Nolan on Monday and weighed in on reports about Harris’s political future. Amidst the chatter about Harris’s future, Politico ran a report citing two people familiar with a conversation in which Harris reportedly said she’d decide on whether to run for governor of California by the end of the summer.
Todd, who recently left NBC News after nearly 18 years, said he’d be “shocked” if Harris chose that as her next move.
“I would be shocked if she does. If she wants to run for president in ’28, you can’t run for governor of California in ’26, so I do think if she runs for governor, she’s made the decision she’s not running,” Todd said.
The longtime political analyst gave a “warning” that Harris being such a recognizable figure could hurt Democrats because California voters are likely looking for “somebody from the outside” after years of Democratic Party leaders. He added she would not be able to differentiate herself enough from incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom (D).
“Governor is the one place where voters won’t always vote their jersey color, and I think voters are going to be looking for somebody from the outside, and I think that Harris — somebody who’s the former vice president, former U.S. senator, former district attorney in San Francisco — how does she sell change? She’s got to somehow run against Gavin Newsom’s governorship,” Todd said.
The former Meet the Press moderator advised Harris to take on smaller public roles before possibly making a return to the national stage in 2030 or later.
“I just don’t see the path for her. I could see an outsider Democrat being able to message this. I think it’s a tough place for her to be,” Todd said. “If I were advising her, I’d tell her: go throw yourself into the rebuild of LA and get involved with the LA Olympic Committee. Be above politics for a couple of years and come back maybe in 2030 or 2032.”
Watch above via NBCLA.
