Kamala Harris’ aides orchestrated a peculiar “mock soiree” to prep her for a high-profile Washington dinner party.
In spring 2022, the then-vice president’s team held a dry run, sans wine, to practice her social graces for an upcoming event, and this revelation, detailed in a forthcoming book, paints a picture of a politician uneasy in elite social settings, as the New York Post reports.
The book Original Sin by Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper exposes tensions between Harris’ team and Biden loyalists, highlighting her struggles with political assignments and a staged social rehearsal. The mock soiree was designed to prepare Harris for a salon-style dinner hosted by media mogul David Bradley. The owner of National Journal and holder of a stake in The Atlantic, Bradley welcomed Harris to his home for the event.
No awkward moments were reported at Bradley’s dinner, suggesting the rehearsal paid off. The mock event, however, underscores a cautious approach by Harris’ aides to ensure she navigated the social scene flawlessly. It was a calculated move to polish her image among Washington’s elite.
Friction between Harris’ staff and Biden’s team began before they even took office. In June 2019, Harris criticized Joe Biden on the issue of integration and busing during a Democratic Party primary debate, upsetting Jill Biden. This early clash set the stage for ongoing distrust between the two camps.
By fall 2021, Harris’ team was already at odds with Biden’s advisers, labeling some as “the cabal of the unhelpful.” Key Biden allies, including White House deputy chief of staff Jen O’Malley Dillon and first lady Jill Biden's office, were seen as obstacles by Harris’ aides. This internal strife complicated her early tenure as vice president.
In May 2021, Harris was tasked with leading the National Space Council, a Cabinet-level role. Yet, her team’s efforts, like a space exploration video featuring child actors who auditioned for their parts, drew scrutiny for being overly staged. These missteps fueled perceptions of Harris as disconnected from the administration’s core priorities.
Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign promise to pick a female vice president narrowed his options to Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Biden confidant Ron Klain championed Harris for the role, believing she could unify the ticket. However, some Biden loyalists later regretted the choice, favoring Whitmer’s work ethic.
“Many on the Biden team felt that Harris didn’t put in the work,” the book notes, reflecting buyer’s remorse among some aides. Harris often avoided tough political tasks, unlike Biden, who embraced such challenges as vice president. Her reluctance to headline events like the Gridiron Club dinner further frustrated Biden’s team.
The book claims Harris “was also just not a very nice person,” according to some Biden insiders. This perception deepened the divide between her staff and Biden’s, creating a toxic dynamic within the administration. Harris’ aides, meanwhile, felt sidelined by key Biden operatives.
The spring 2022 mock soiree was a response to Harris’ unease in high-stakes social settings. Her aides, aware of her shaky standing with Biden’s team, went to great lengths to ensure she shone at Bradley’s dinner. The dry run, with no wine served, was a meticulous effort to refine her public persona.
Harris’ team saw the dinner as a chance to bolster her image among Washington’s power brokers. Bradley’s influence in media circles made the event a critical opportunity for Harris to network. The absence of reported gaffes at the dinner suggests their preparation worked. Yet, the need for such a rehearsal raises questions about Harris’ readiness for the vice presidency’s demands. Her team’s focus on optics, from the mock soiree to the space video, reflects a broader strategy to mask her weaknesses.
Original Sin, set for release on May 20, offers a candid look at Harris’ challenges as vice president. Authors Thompson and Tapper pull no punches, detailing her strained relationships with Biden’s inner circle. The book’s revelations could reignite debates about her leadership style.
O’Malley Dillon, once a source of friction, later chaired Harris’ campaign after Biden’s exit from the 2024 race in late July. This shift highlights the complex dynamics between Harris and Biden’s teams, even as they navigated new political realities. The book’s insights into these tensions are timely and revealing.
The mock soiree, while a footnote, encapsulates the broader narrative of Harris’ vice presidency: a struggle to fit into Washington’s elite circles while battling internal rivalries. For a nation craving authentic leadership, such anecdotes fuel skepticism about her ability to connect. As Original Sin hits shelves, expect its claims to spark fierce discussion.
