Commentary: Did Kamala Harris just destroy her 2028 chances? Is Gavin Newsom glad she did?

"Compare that with Republicans, who not only believe in second chances but, more often than not, seem to prefer their presidential candidates recycled. Over the last half century, all but a few of the GOP's nominees have had at least one failed White House bid on their resume. The roster of retreads includes the current occupant of the Oval Office, who is only the second president in U.S. history to regain the perch after losing it four years prior."

"Why the difference? It would take a psychologist or geneticist to determine if there's something in the minds or molecular makeup of party faithful, which could explain their varied treatment of those humbled and vanquished. Regardless, it suggests the blowback facing Kamala Harris and the campaign diary she published last week is happening right on cue. And it doesn't portend well for another try at the White House in 2028, should the former vice president and U.S. senator from California pursue that path."

"The criticism has come in assorted flavors. Joe Biden loyalists - many of whom were never great fans of Harris - have bristled at her relatively mild criticisms of the obviously aged and physically declining president. (She leaves it to her husband, former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, to vent about the "impossible, s- jobs" Harris was given and, in spite of that, the failure of the president and first lady to defend Harris during her low points.)"

Democrats frequently reject repeat presidential candidates after high-profile defeats, as happened with Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore and John Kerry. Republicans more often recycle nominees and commonly grant second chances, including the current president who reclaimed the office after a prior loss. Psychological or biological factors in party supporters are proposed as possible explanations for differing partisan tolerance of retreads. Kamala Harris faced predictable blowback after publishing a campaign diary that included mild criticisms of an aging president, prompting Biden loyalists' displeasure. Public complaints by her husband about the "impossible, s- jobs" she received and a lack of defense by the president and first lady further weaken 2028 comeback prospects.

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