As Biden Stumbles, Kamala Falls

In the wake of recent political events, as Biden appeared to freeze on the debate floor, mainstream media has begun to catch up with what our reporting had already uncovered weeks ago: a growing disenchantment within traditional Democratic strongholds. Our recent investigations, particularly in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street, revealed a palpable unease among the party's financial backers.

We're celebrating Independence Day with a special offer: 20% off our annual subscription, making it easier for more of you to enjoy our stories. If you can't afford the subscription but still want access to our full content, please reach out to us. We're happy to provide complimentary access.

Amidst this political turmoil, our team conducted a thorough exploration into the inner mechanisms of the Democratic Party, consulting high-level sources for deeper understanding. Our findings reveal complexities that extend far beyond the oversimplified concerns about Biden's age. Our research uncovers a multi-year effort to undermine Kamala Harris, and a network of behind-the-scenes strategies that have been developing over years. This isn't just about sudden realizations; it's about long-term plans finally becoming crystalized. Our exclusive report provides a unique glimpse into the covert realm of high-stakes Democratic politics, where unseen forces shape the party's future.

"Unfortunately, they have the story wrong,” explained a highly placed lobbyist who has been signaling funding softness for months. “This isn't a groundswell that started with the debate, but a groundswell that has found the perfect narrative" . This source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, "What we're seeing now is not a sudden shift, but the culmination of long-simmering dissatisfaction finally finding its voice."

Our West Coast expedition was particularly enlightening, unveiling a quest for "a new Obama" among younger Democrats and a desire to move beyond the old guard. This sentiment, while not new, has gained momentum in recent weeks.

"This isn't about Biden. There is a lack of enthusiasm for the entire ticket," our source continued, echoing a theme we've consistently heard in our conversations with high-profile donors and political strategists. "Biden's age is an issue because of whom will replace him in case Biden couldn't carry on."

Perhaps most intriguingly, our investigations have uncovered a long-term strategy that predates the current political climate. "We started with Kamala," confided a source close to Governor Gavin Newsom's team. "Newsom knew in 2015 that Kamala was a serious threat if he was to have a chance. Kamala is scary, a fighter. Those who have come up in the California politics know how fearsome Kamala Harris is as a politician. If Newsom had any chance of becoming the President, he had to take Kamala down."

The Rise and Stumble of a Political Phenomenon

Kamala Harris's ascent in American politics was meteoric. From becoming California's first female Attorney General in 2010 to her brief moment holding the nuclear codes in 2021, Harris seemed destined for greatness. Hailed as the "female Barack Obama," she made waves by standing up to big banks and quickly became a formidable force in Democratic circles.

By 2016, Harris had become so influential that even Obama had to apologize for a perceived sexist remark about her attractiveness. Her power was evident when she effortlessly secured Barbara Boxer's Senate seat, causing potential rivals, including Gavin Newsom, to step aside.

However, Harris's presidential ambitions hit unexpected turbulence. Despite entering the 2020 race as a perceived frontrunner, her campaign faltered. "Her light appeared to dim," noted a political analyst, as donors began hedging their bets on other candidates.

Harris's confrontation with Joe Biden during the primaries, while momentarily impactful, created lasting tensions. Jill Biden's reported remark, "Kamala can go f**k herself," revealed the depth of animosity. Even after joining the ticket, whispers of discord persisted. On inauguration day, Jill allegedly told an aide, "That woman will never be President."

These sentiments weren't isolated. A top aide from Harris's own 2020 campaign reportedly questioned her fitness for the presidency. Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom, once sidelined by Harris's rise, was positioning himself as a potential alternative.

"Newsom doesn't forget," a longtime lobbyist revealed, hinting at the governor's lingering ambitions and his memory of how Harris had once derailed his higher office dreams. We will come back to Newsom later.

The Nightmare Vice-Presidency

If the campaign was bad, things were only going to get worse. Within months of taking office, leaks of mismanagement were all around. Harris saw heavy staff turnover, with aides describing a toxic climate riven with factionalism and mismanagement. One source who worked for the vice-president declined to go on record or even discuss matters anonymously, due to the heated atmosphere around the office. 'They refused to characterise the experience of working for Harris, apart from offering a three-word assessment. It was, they said: "Game of Thrones."'

Others started leaking Kamala's ambition. "She wants to sideline Biden and become the nominee with Pete," a rumor went around the Beltway watercoolers for some time. Our sources in California point to a very different source, someone who's watched Kamala's rise from close quarters. "Newsom has known, it's either Kamala or him. So early in this Presidency, he decided to start poisoning the well." Reports of tension and Harris's frustrations as vice-president have been a feature of their time in power.

In a polarized political climate, it didn't take a lot for Republicans to pick the scent and start attacking Harris. Nikki Haley made the prospect of Harris taking power a central campaign theme of her campaign for the White House. Her approval ratings dropped. US Vice President Kamala Harris has the lowest approval rating of any vice president in their first term since 1990. "Kamala's approval rating is lower than what Mike Pence, Dick Cheney, and Al Gore had during their first term. This is not a coincidence." To realize just how unpopular Kamala Harris is, you have to keep in mind the historical significance of it all. No one in her position has had this low of favorabilities in a first term since Dan Quayle,' declared Thomas Gift to Newsweek.

The Debate: A Turning Point

The recent presidential debate proved to be a pivotal moment, not just for President Biden, but perhaps even more so for Vice President Kamala Harris. As the political spotlight intensified, it became clear that Harris had more at stake than anyone else in the administration.

"For months, Kamala has been walking a tightrope," confided a former aide who, like many others, has maintained contacts within the administration while grateful to have escaped its reportedly toxic environment. "Her only path to the top job hinges on Biden securing a second term. If Joe doesn't win, Kamala risks becoming the next Mike Pence – an inconsequential one-term Vice President, viewed unfavorably by both insiders and outsiders."

This precarious position has put immense pressure on Harris, reminiscent of the tumultuous early days of her vice presidency. "We're back in the early days of 2021," the former aide continued, referring to a period marked by unprecedented staff turnover in the Vice President's office. "The atmosphere is eerily similar to when Kamala was seeing a turnover rate higher than a 19th-century steel mill."

As the debate unfolded, the stakes for Harris became increasingly apparent. A senior Democratic strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered this insight: "Every hesitation, every stumble from Biden on that stage wasn't just a moment for him – it was a potential nail in the coffin of Kamala's presidential aspirations."

The moment that has since dominated headlines – Biden's apparent freeze on stage – sent shockwaves through political circles. A campaign insider revealed, "In those few seconds of silence, you could almost hear the collective intake of breath from Kamala's team. They knew instantly the implications this could have."

For Harris, the debate's outcome was more than a matter of political positioning; it was deeply personal. "Kamala has been preparing for years for her shot at the presidency," shared a long-time Harris confidant. "To see it potentially slip away due to factors entirely out of her control – it's got to be devastating."

In the aftermath of the debate, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Harris now finds herself in an even more delicate position, needing to balance unwavering support for the President with subtle efforts to distinguish herself as a viable future leader.

As one Democratic Party elder statesman put it, "The debate didn't just raise questions about Joe's capabilities. It forced the party to confront the very real possibility of a future without either Biden or Harris at the helm. That's a scenario few were prepared for, and it's sending ripples through every level of the party."

Here's a rewritten version of the article, maintaining the key points and narrative style:

The Silent Siege: Unraveling the Campaign to Marginalize Harris

As murmurs about President Biden's age and acuity have grown louder, so too have the efforts to reshape the party's future leadership.

"We thought this moment might come," revealed an insider, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We had been preparing for years and had our talking points ready. Newsom has been a force in fundraising; he knows which buttons to press to get results."

Cyber’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This strategy wasn't conceived overnight. Multiple sources confirm that the groundwork has been meticulously laid over the past three years, with the goal of positioning alternative candidates, particularly California Governor Gavin Newsom, as viable options for the party's leadership.

A PR executive instrumental in promoting Newsom's potential candidacy shared, "We didn't know how the debate would go, but we were prepared. We've been working on this idea for years now, and the only way Newsom gets anywhere near this ticket is if Kamala is deemed unacceptable. So, that's what we did."

The strategy appears to be bearing fruit. Recent discussions about potential presidential candidates have notably omitted Harris's name from the top of the ticket. "Did you hear anybody talking about Kamala as a presidential contender?" the PR executive asked pointedly, their silence speaking volumes.

A former White House aide provided further context: "It's a delicate dance. We can't openly undermine the sitting Vice President, but we can shape the conversation around party leadership and 'fresh faces' in a way that naturally excludes her."

This behind-the-scenes maneuvering hasn't escaped notice within Harris's camp. A source close to the Vice President stated, "We're aware of the whisper campaigns and the subtle messaging. It's politics at its most cutthroat, but we're focused on the Vice President's work and her undeniable qualifications."

However, the political landscape remains complex. Obama, Schumer, and the Clintons have all rallied around Biden. "If you think Biden would vacate and save the Presidency for Democrats, look no further than LBJ," reminded our lobbyist source, suggesting that a switch at this stage might not yield the desired results. “But there is another way to make the ticket more palatable to the independents. Replace Kamala with Newsom.”

As the 2024 election approaches, the behind-the-scenes efforts to reshape the Democratic ticket are intensifying. A well-placed source within the party confided, "With the Democratic convention still month and a half away, there's a real possibility of significant changes. We're hearing whispers of Harris being offered a Supreme Court seat, paving the way for Newsom to step in as the party's new hope."

These maneuvers to potentially sideline Harris are far from certain to succeed. However, one thing is abundantly clear: the narrative presented by major news outlets - be it CNN, Fox, MSNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or the New York Times - only scratches the surface of the complex political reality.

While President Biden's position appears stable for the moment, it's Vice President Harris who seems to have borne the brunt of this silent political siege. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these long-laid plans will come to fruition or if the current leadership will weather the storm. What's certain is that the true nature of these high-stakes political machinations often remains hidden from public view, unfolding in the shadows of power.

Support by signing up for the independence day special.