National Post (National Edition)
U.S. vice-president sees number of staffers resign
Recent polling numbers not good for Harris
• A staffing exodus from Kamala Harris's team has reportedly been driven in part by fears of being branded a “Harris person” ahead of the 2024 election.
The U.S. vice-president's office has been beset by high-profile departures in recent weeks, capping off a disappointing year for Harris who has seen her popularity decline sharply in office.
Panic has set in among Democrats, with Harris polling well below Joe Biden, calling into question her position as the president's successor should he not seek re-election.
Harris is the first female, Black, and South Asian American to serve as vice president.
As of Nov. 30, 41 per cent of registered voters had a favourable opinion of her and 52 per cent had an unfavourable opinion, according to the Los Angeles Times average.
The poll numbers have led some staffers to quit out of fear they will be tarnished by association, in the event that a more promising candidate presents themselves in 2024, according to the website Axios.
One source referred to the feeling among staff as a concern of being permanently branded a “Harris person.”
Others have experienced burnout working at the White House or believe they can find better employment opportunities elsewhere.
One Democrat close to Harris's office told Axios that the departures were increasing pressure on Tina Fluornoy, the chief of staff.
“If we mess this up, it's going to set women back when it comes to running for higher office for years to come,” the operative said.
The most prominent staffing departures are those of Symone Sanders, the vice-president's spokesman and vocal public defender, and Ashley Etienne, her communications director.
Two other senior staff, Peter Velz, director of press operations, and Vince Evans, the deputy director of Harris's office of public engagement, are also reportedly leaving their posts.
Sanders' friends insist her departure is not linked to the criticisms of the vice-president's communications strategy. It is not unusual for senior staff to leave a year into a new administration, trading the cachet of their White House titles for positions in the private sector.
It has fuelled concerns over Harris's political standing and led some Democrat strategists to openly speculate over alternative presidential candidates for the party. Biden, 79, insists he will run for a second term, but many remain doubtful that he would, or could, serve into his 80s.
Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary and former 2020 candidate, has been feted as a potential rival to Harris for the Democratic nomination in 2024.