Kamala Harris: Democrats Are “Stuck in the Past,” Urges New Voices and Fresh Language

Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a frank critique of the Democratic Party on Jaime Harrison’s At Our Table podcast, warning that the party must change how it communicates if it hopes to reconnect with voters.

Harris appeared on the program to discuss her brief, high-profile 107-day presidential bid and to promote her new book, 107 Days, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at that campaign. While she praised some Democratic victories she found encouraging, she argued the party is not speaking in ways that feel authentic or relevant to many voters.

"I think that in some ways, we are very much stuck in the past. And so we’re not speaking in a way that sounds authentic or relatable or just relevant. You know, we got to speak to this moment," Harris said.

Harris urged party leaders to genuinely listen to newer voices and to embrace different styles of political communication rather than dismiss them.

"I think that there is a lot that we need to do. That is about recognizing we give a lot of lip service to listening to the people — but are we really listening?" she asked.

Former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison also weighed in, warning that internal "purity tests" are harmful to the party’s ability to build a broad coalition.

"I think these purity tests that we see within our party also are very harmful. You know, if we say that we are the big-tent party, then that means you can’t dismiss everybody just because the one issue they don’t agree with you on," Harrison argued.

The interview also touched on recent reporting about a possible 2028 presidential bid. Harris was direct: "I have not made any decisions about that."

Takeaway: Harris called for a more authentic, inclusive Democratic message and for leaders to listen to emerging voices—while cautioning against exclusionary intra-party demands that could narrow the party’s appeal.