Kamala Harris Reflects on 2024 Loss, Voting Rights in Madison Book Tour Stop

Former VP discusses Trump's Iran strikes, midterm elections, and lowering the voting age to 16 during Wisconsin visit.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in Madison, Wisconsin as part of her book tour for "107 Days", a reference to her whirlwind 2024 presidential campaign. During the moderated conversation, Harris discussed topics ranging from the Biden administration's response to recent attacks in Iran, the upcoming midterm elections, and her support for lowering the voting age to 16. She also addressed a heckler's challenge over the administration's actions toward the war in Gaza.

Why it matters

Harris' visit to Wisconsin, a key battleground state she narrowly lost in 2024, provides insight into her reflections on the campaign and her policy positions. Her comments on voting rights, the midterms, and engaging younger voters highlight the Democratic party's strategy heading into the 2026 elections.

The details

During the event, Harris criticized former President Trump's recent strikes in Iran, calling his presidency "the most incompetent we've ever seen." She also addressed the upcoming midterm elections, saying Democrats need to work hard to retake the House and restore checks and balances. Harris expressed support for lowering the voting age to 16, arguing that younger generations have the most at stake in current policy decisions. When a heckler challenged her on the Biden administration's actions toward the war in Gaza, Harris acknowledged the administration "should have done more" and been "more candid and honest" about the conflict.

  • Harris' Madison stop came a day after Trump launched attacks in the Middle East, targeting Iran.
  • The conversation took place on March 1, 2026.

The players

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President of the United States and 2024 presidential candidate.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States.

Joe Biden

Current President of the United States.

V Spehar

Podcaster and TikTok journalist who moderated the conversation with Harris.

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What they’re saying

“We have to be clear-eyed. You have to speak up and speak out, we have to feel the emotions we rightly feel as an extension of the fact that we care and we have empathy and we are not stupid. We can understand and deconstruct what's going on.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President (jsonline.com)

“This is the most incompetent presidency we've ever seen.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President (jsonline.com)

“They're scared about these midterms. They are scared, and we will win, but let's not take for granted that that's going to happen.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President (jsonline.com)

“Think about that. All of us have had to try to find our birth certificate or re-create it or get a passport, which builds in what are already disincentives to register to vote. These are the games they're playing.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President (jsonline.com)

“Frankly, our administration should have done more. We have levers we could have used that were not used. I feel strongly that we have to be candid and honest about that.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President (jsonline.com)

What’s next

Harris will continue her book tour with additional stops across the country in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Harris' reflections on her 2024 campaign loss and her policy positions, particularly on voting rights and engaging younger voters, provide a window into the Democratic party's strategy heading into the 2026 midterm and presidential elections.