#8 "Stiletto Elbows, Tough as Nails, Relationship with Newsom & Pelosi, Personal Warmth," Karen Breslau, Veteran Journalist

100 Days of Kamala

In this episode of 100 Days of Kamala, host Priya David Clemens speaks with veteran journalist Karen Breslau, who has covered Vice President Kamala Harris for over two decades. Karen shares her unique insights into Harris's political journey, from her early days as San Francisco District Attorney to her role as Vice President. Reflecting on Harris’s tenacity, Karen describes her as “sharp intellectually, sharp in focus, and sharp in ambition. You cross her once, and you're gone.”

They discuss Harris's evolution as a political figure and her rise through the male-dominated political scene in San Francisco. Karen recalls a defining moment: “She was a force from the very beginning...leading what would be a coup against her then-boss, Terrence Hallinan, and winning his job in an election.” The conversation also touches on Harris's relationships with figures like Gavin Newsom, where Karen notes, “They were basically political siblings… as they matured, they got off each other's track. They aren’t best friends, but they’ve come to appreciate something in the other.”

Karen also reflects on Harris's personal warmth and determination, sharing stories of her empathy and commitment to justice: “Kamala would sit on the floor with these vulnerable young women, talking to them about what was possible. It wasn’t about what they’d done, but about what had happened to them.”

Join us for a rich conversation that uncovers the multifaceted leader who is Kamala Harris. As Karen says, "This Kamala Harris we see today is not an overnight sensation—she’s been decades in the making."

Tune in now for a deeper look at one of the most talked-about figures in American politics.