Willie Brown, the 90-year-old ex-boyfriend of Vice President Kamala Harris, shared his critical views and concerns about Harris's electability and public perception.
According to Daily Mail Online, Brown believes President Joe Biden should step down to allow Harris to take the presidency.
Brown, who dated Harris when he was 60 and she was a 29-year-old prosecutor, has been vocal about his opinions on the current political landscape. He humorously remarked that if Harris won the presidency, she would deport him. However, his concerns about Harris's likability are more serious; he believes she suffers from "the Hillary syndrome," a term he uses to describe a politician who struggles to gain public favor.
Harris considers Brown to be one of her political mentors. During their relationship, Brown appointed Harris to state boards, which paid her over $400,000 and provided her with keys to a BMW. Despite their romantic relationship lasting only a year, Brown continued to support Harris's political career.
Brown also revealed that Harris was not Nancy Pelosi's first choice for president. He ensured that Governor Gavin Newsom supported Harris, demonstrating his continued influence in her political journey. Brown confirmed a notable anecdote from their past, where Donald Trump flew him, Harris, and his team aboard his private plane for a meeting in New York, although Harris did not attend the meeting itself.
Brown believes that Trump’s success in politics is primarily due to his celebrity status. He noted that Trump is essentially an entertainer, which has played a significant role in his political appeal. This perspective offers insight into Brown's understanding of modern political dynamics.
Harris's political career received a significant boost from Brown's support. He donated to and helped raise money for her first run as San Francisco District Attorney. Despite their past, Harris made a clear effort to distance herself from Brown during her campaign, insisting that their connection was over and she owed him nothing.
In a 2003 profile, Harris emphatically declared her independence from Brown. She stated that Brown’s career was over and that she would be alive and kicking for the next 40 years. This marked the last time she publicly spoke about her former lover and mentor.
Since being endorsed by Democrats as the new presidential nominee, Brown has shared his opinions about Harris’s potential. He emphasized that underestimating Harris would be a mistake, predicting that she would rise to power despite her detractors.
Brown's comments and actions have continued to shape public perception of Harris. His recent statements to the San Francisco Standard reflect his ongoing influence and his belief in Harris's abilities.
Brown's advice for President Biden to step down in favor of Harris underscores his belief in her potential to lead. His candid remarks about her strengths and weaknesses provide a unique perspective on her political journey.
"You can very easily underestimate Kamala Harris, but if you do you will be looking up from the dungeon for the queen will be on the throne," Brown said, highlighting his complex view of Harris’s political future.
Willie Brown's reflections on Vice President Kamala Harris offer a compelling look into their shared history and her political ascent. Brown has played a pivotal role in Harris's career, from appointing her to lucrative state boards to supporting her early campaigns. His recent comments suggest confidence in her capabilities and concern for her public image. Brown’s belief that President Biden should step down for Harris adds another layer to the ongoing political discourse.
