On a recent episode of CNN’s NewsNight, a heated discussion unfolded as Kevin O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful” from the reality show Shark Tank, reportedly launched a scathing critique of former Vice President Kamala Harris. He described her as “horrific” and a “loser,” igniting passionate responses from fellow panelists.
The sparks flew during a segment focused on an excerpt from the book Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, co-authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson.
In the excerpt, top Harris advisor David Plouffe expressed that President Biden’s decision to remain in the 2024 race severely undermined Harris’s campaign.
As the conversation progressed, Democratic commentator Bakari Sellers attempted to defend Harris against O’Leary’s criticisms.
He asserted, “There’s nothing about Kamala Harris that’s a loser,” aiming to counter O’Leary’s harsh assessment. However, O’Leary was undeterred, responding emphatically, “Oh, I think there is. She lost big time.”
His comments set off a flurry of crosstalk among the panel, illustrating the deep divisions in political opinions regarding Harris’s performance as a candidate.
O’Leary further elaborated that Harris’s downfall stemmed from her being “anointed” rather than elected through a competitive process.
He claimed that this lack of genuine support led to her poor showing in the primaries.
The panel quickly devolved into a contentious debate, with O’Leary asserting that Harris was unable to effectively communicate her ideas, stating, “It’s hard to tell the truth. She couldn’t put two sentences together.”
Anchor Abby Phillip attempted to rein in the escalating discussion, reminding the panel that Harris was indeed elected alongside Biden in the 2020 election.
O’Leary, however, retorted, “She was not elected president of the United States,” emphasizing his belief that her role did not carry the weight he believed it should.
Phillip reiterated that Harris was part of a successful ticket, prompting O’Leary to maintain that her campaign was marred by poor execution and strategy.
The dynamic between O’Leary and the other panelists showcased the contentious nature of contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding a figure as polarizing as Harris.
This exchange also served as a microcosm of the broader tensions within the Democratic Party.
Ultimately, the panel’s confrontation over Harris underscored the ongoing challenges within the Democratic Party as it navigates the complexities of leadership and voter expectations ahead of the next election cycle.
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