Did Kamala Harris' 'Glock' Comment Reflect a Larger Campaign Issue?
Vice President Kamala Harris' recent statement about owning a "Glock" has become more than just a fleeting embarrassment. It appears to be a representation of the issues that are affecting her campaign. Like other unsuccessful campaigns in the past, Harris' team seems to think that the public can be deceived with scripted lines, advertisements, and images that contradict the candidate's track record and persona.
Harris' Gun Ownership Comment
During a debate with Donald Trump in Philadelphia last month, Harris stated, "Tim Walz and I are both gun owners. We’re not taking anybody’s guns away." This comment was one of the more inconsistent remarks Harris has made throughout her campaign, and it unintentionally underscored her history of antagonism towards gun owners and the Second Amendment. Harris has supported the prohibition of popular firearms she refers to as “assault weapons,” applauded Australia’s gun control measures, and endorsed a Supreme Court brief arguing that the Second Amendment only protects a “collective” or “militia-related” right to bear arms, not an individual right.
Many political commentators saw this apparent attempt to appeal to gun owners, despite her long history of opposing the Second Amendment, as an act of desperation. Some were reminded of a notorious 2004 John Kerry campaign photo op in which the Democratic nominee, dressed in camouflage, emerged from an Ohio cornfield with a double-barreled shotgun, supposedly after a goose hunt. Although Kerry was familiar with firearms due to his military service, the image seemed entirely fabricated.
Historical Precedent: Dukakis in the Tank
The most notable example of a candidate pretending to be something they are not, and believing a clever photo op could fix a critical issue with their campaign, was Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis in 1988. Dukakis, then governor of Massachusetts, wanted to focus on the state's economic revival, which he referred to as the "Massachusetts miracle." However, the George H.W. Bush campaign had different plans, launching a series of harsh negative ads attacking Dukakis for his policy of allowing "weekend passes" for convicted murderers, his affiliation with the ACLU, and his perceived weakness on national defense. In response, the Dukakis campaign attempted to demonstrate their candidate's toughness by arranging a photo op of him riding in an M1 Abrams tank.
The photo op did not appear genuine, and the image quickly spread before the concept of viral content existed. Dukakis provided a significant comedic moment in the history of presidential campaigns. The photo is still considered one of the most significant self-inflicted mistakes in presidential campaign history.
Harris' 'Glock' Comment: A New 'Dukakis in the Tank' Moment?
Is Harris experiencing her own "Dukakis in the tank" moment? After her debate with Donald Trump, she continued to emphasize her gun comment, demonstrating a complete inability to gauge public sentiment.
The first follow-up occurred a little over a week after the debate when Harris told Oprah Winfrey, "If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot," a shocking statement she punctuated with one of her notorious laughs. Then came the uncomfortable moment on CBS’ “60 Minutes” when the vice president specifically stated that she owns a “Glock” and has “had it for quite some time.”
If it weren't for these two subsequent comments, Harris’ initial debate remark might have disappeared after some light teasing from conservatives.
Now, Harris has created an even larger problem for herself, primarily because she has supported policies that would not only ban handgun ownership but specifically prohibit Glocks. In 2005, Harris supported a San Francisco measure that would have banned handguns in the city; her 2008 Supreme Court brief in D.C. v. Heller explicitly argued that the Second Amendment does not protect the right of private citizens to use handguns for home self-defense, which is exactly what Harris told Oprah she has a gun for. Most Glocks also have what Harris would classify as a "high-capacity magazine" (10 rounds), which she has strongly advocated banning.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, Harris transformed what should have been a minor embarrassing moment into a significant self-inflicted wound. However, these types of missteps are not anomalies; they suggest a deeper issue in a national campaign.
As Mike Dukakis himself said about the infamous tank photo-op, “That didn't beat me. If we had run a decent national campaign, that wouldn't have had any effect.”
What do you think about this situation? Do you believe Harris' 'Glock' comment reflects a larger issue with her campaign? Share your thoughts with your friends and consider signing up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6 pm.
