Scoop: Harris reaches out to Mamdani, pro-Palestinian activists in run-up to 2028

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Axios

9h


Kamala Harris privately called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week and has been holding lengthy, closed-door meetings with other prominent progressives — including pro-Palestinian activists.

Why it matters: It's the latest sign the former vice president is laying the groundwork for a potential White House run in 2028 — and looking to strengthen or repair her relationships with left-wing Democrats.

Driving the news: Harris called Mamdani last Thursday to talk about the party's future and plan a longer conversation, a person familiar with the call told Axios.

Harris, who occasionally has texted with Mamdani in the past few months, called him two days after the mayor's handpicked candidates swept three congressional races in New York City, ousting a pair of incumbents.

In April, Harris met with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in Chicago on the sidelines of the "Power Rising" conference, a summit for Black women empowerment.

Harris and her team also have been reaching out to pro-Palestinian activists during the past year, including at least one who helped lead the "Uncommitted Movement," which grew out of opposition to former President Biden's policy on the war in Gaza.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/scoop-harris-reaches-out-to-mamdani-pro-palestinian-activists-in-run-up-to-2028/ar-AA26XlNb

[SSJVegeta]

1. She had her shot and blew it

[sheshe2]

3. I don't think that is a fair assessment at all...

“She blew it”

She came into the race late because that’s when Joe Biden dropped out. She had just over three months to put a team together and campaign and she did a phenomenal job with the time that she had.

Frankly, I put some of the blame on the ‘leave it blank people’ and partially on the voters that ‘just could not vote for that woman.’ it wasn’t the first time we heard those words and sadly I don’t think it’s gonna be the last time.

[QueerDuck]

6. You are correct. There were quite a few saboteurs. The "leave it blank" folks really set us back...

... and they set back their own cause and the things that were important to themselves too. Why? (I know the reasons, and I know who they are too... I just can't be more specific for obvious reasons.) Sigh.

Aside from that... how are you? I hope you have a wonderful and safe July 4th weekend!

[sheshe2]

9. I hear you and know exactly what/why you are leaving things unsaid.

I am doing okay considering the daily news we are getting hit over the head with.

I hope you are well and enjoy your 4th. We are in a rather severe heat wave today through the 4th. I am laying low and my neighbor puts on a pretty good fireworks display every year, so I plan to sit out on my deck and watch the show.

Luv ya.

[Zelda_Orchid]

12. People refusing to vote for Harris because BIDEN was "too old" didn't help.

[QueerDuck]

13. There was quite a lot of irony to be observed in that ageism too....

... and I'll just leave it at that.

[flashman13]

14. Rick Wilson, the former R campaign manager, said that with the exception of a couple of gaffs (which are

part of every campaign), Harris ran a brilliant 100 day campaign. I won't go into why it was only 100 days.

[sheshe2]

23. Yes, she did!

[quakerboy]

22. Plenty of blame to go around

Regardless, she had her shot, and Both she and the USA lost hard.

[Torchlight]

4. Quite the assertion

[SSJVegeta]

5. It is. Just like losing the popular vote to Trump

[Deminpenn]

33. She did

Plus, it's so transparent what she's doing.

[Quiet Em]

2. Harris has been laser focused on doing everything she can to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket in 2026

She speaks with AOC too.

[Eko]

7. Nice.

Great move.

[SamuelAdams]

8. Although it may be unfair, it's hard to see Democratic voters giving another chance to a candidate that lost to Trump.

With the recent primaries showing a hunger for change in our party, 2028 feels like we will go with someone new.

[Akakoji]

21. This will never happen

A lot of the anger in current voters is directed not only at Biden, but also at Harris who surely should have seen what was happening to Biden. She has never made it past any previous primary. She wouldn't this time either. I'd never vote for her in a primary, even not knowing who else will run.

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Kerry Was Reaching Out to People in 2008, too

Nixon and Jefferson bounced back, but the rest went the way of Dewey and Adlai Stevenson.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. I doubt if she'll come anywhere close to getting the nomination.

[dlk]

15. The sad truth is America is far too sexist and racist to elect a woman of color president

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2026, 06:31 PM - Edit history (1)

It doesn’t matter that Harris was an incredible candidate nor that she would have made an amazing president. Hillary was an incredible candidate, as well.

America is too far behind and we are not there, yet, no matter how much some of us wish we were.

[AZ8theist]

17. BINGO!!

Could not have said it better.

[angrychair]

20. So only white men should run

How, exactly, does only allowing white, Christian males, fix the situation of misogyny and racism?

Not picking a fight, honestly want to understand how that fixes the problem.

[dlk]

29. Democrats need to be in power to change anything

Realistically, whatever it takes.

[angrychair]

31. Oh, ok

So the Democratic Party should be a white males only organization now?

[dlk]

36. That's not what I'm saying, at all

n/t

[angrychair]

37. I understand that

But I feel compelled to make the point that we need to stop capitulating to rightwing propaganda and the constant demonization of anything other than this stereotype of white, male Christians being the only path for competent leaders.

45 of the 46 presidents have been white, straight, Christian males and if we are being honest, most did a pretty shit job and few did anything to truly improve relationships with people of color or women or the LGBTQIA+ communities.

We fix it by leaning into it and giving those communities of people the representation and the voice they deserve and have earned through blood, sweat and tears they have shed in their fight for representation in the political process.

[pecosbob]

16. It seems the centrists are starting to feel the sea change...

[Billsdaughter]

18. I am disinterested in another Harris run

for myriad reasons. If Gavin Newsom can overcome his elitist aire, he's got a real shot. It's a bit early at this time, I would be very interested in a discussion thread with folks respective picks at this time. 🤔

[AloeVera]

19. Now here's a novel idea:

Harris and her team also have been reaching out to pro-Palestinian activists during the past year, including at least one who helped lead the "Uncommitted Movement," which grew out of opposition to former President Biden's policy on the war in Gaza.

If only...

[oasis]

24. Debates, debates, and more debates. Let's take

a long look at our talented field of Democrats.

[hamsterjill]

32. I agree.

Whoever gets it needs to earn it!

[KPN]

25. I voted for her happily in 2024. If she wins the primary, I'll vote for her again in 2028. Frankly, I thought

she ran a pretty darned good campaign -- especially on such short notice, and I really thought she had it in the bag ... as did many of us I believe. Ergo my/our devastating disappointment.

I'm not going to make any predictions at this point. May whoever energizes and captivates voters the most carry our party forward in 2028.

[electric_blue68]

26. This....

sheshe2:

"Frankly, I put some of the blame on the ‘leave it blank people’ and partially on the voters that ‘just could not vote for that woman.’ it wasn’t the first time we heard those words and sadly I don’t think it’s gonna be the last time."

Just so I didn't have to repeat everything.

I'd hold an option out for her - smart, compassionate, experienced; but also afraid a white (probably) straight male may be who we have to have to gain back the Presidency.
Not too much is hard and fast right now for me. I'll see how events, and people evolve.
Hopefully we get The House and The Senate this Nov!

[sheshe2]

27. Thank you, electric_blue.

Sad to think we are so far behind Mexico and Italy, neither of them stellar in their treatment of women...yet they did.

Elect a woman...and look what you get:

Mexico is moving toward universal healthcare by 2027—here’s what it means and why it matters beyond its borders

In a global moment defined by rising costs, strained systems, and growing public anxiety around access to care, Mexico is quietly moving toward something far more ambitious: a fully universal healthcare model for 120 million people by 2027.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/mexico-is-moving-toward-universal-healthcare-by-2027-here-s-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters-beyond-its-borders/ar-AA20Bx77

[Bluetus]

28. Willie Sutton

Psychiatrist: "Mr. Sutton (stroking his goatee), tell me, why do you rob banks?"

Sutton: "Because that's where the money is."

The energy is 100% with progressives. There is nobody reaching out to the "centerists" (a gross misnomer) trying to catch some of their "reach across the fascist aisle" mojo.

[WinningAgain]

30. Bring on the debates.

It will all iron out with the debates. We shall see....

[MorbidButterflyTat]

34. I'm getting sick of "news" that's little more than gossip with undisclosed "sources"

"...privately called New York City Mayor..." It was SO "private," here it is.

"...has been holding lengthy, closed-door meetings..." Ooooh! Closed doors!!

"It's the latest sign the former vice president is laying the groundwork for a potential White House run in 2028..." TOTAL SPECULATION, aka gossip.

"....a person familiar with the call told Axios."

Sure.

[rogue emissary]

35. Disappointing to hear as it won't end well or with support,

Mamdani never supported her publicly till he ran for Mayor and said he voted for her and never provided proof.

At the same time he's stuck with candidates that have said racist and antisemitic statements in their past.