Jonathan Chait's 180 on Kamala Harris: From Praising Centrism to Criticizing the Left

Jonathan Chait's Shift on Kamala Harris: From Praising Centrism to Criticizing the Left In a striking reversal of his previous stance, Jonathan Chait, columnist at New York Magazine, has changed his opinion on Kamala Harris's campaign strategy. A year ago, Chait hailed Harris's moderate approach as a winning formula, but now he blames her loss on the influence of progressives in her campaign. According to an article published by Eoin Higgins, author of "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left," Chait's shift in opinion is puzzling. In February 2023, Chait wrote that Harris's success in polls compared to President Joe Biden was due to her campaign's clever and unsentimental courtship of the center. However, Higgins notes that Chait now claims the leftward tilt of Harris's campaign doomed her chances. This change in opinion comes as a surprise, given Chait's previous praise for Harris's moderate approach. Background and Context In 2022, Chait wrote that the Democratic Party had been run by the far left for the past decade, which he believed was a major problem. However, when Harris's campaign was still gaining momentum, Chait saw her centrist strategy as a winning formula. "It's mystifying to see Chait now claiming that the leftward tilt of Harris's campaign lost her the election," Higgins said in an interview. "It seems like he's fallen for Trump's demagoguery and is trying to fit his narrative into the current political landscape." Additional Perspectives Higgins suggests that Chait's shift in opinion may be due to a desire to fit in with the current centrist trend in politics. "Chait's change of heart on Harris's campaign strategy raises questions about the motivations behind his writing," Higgins said. Current Status and Next Developments The implications of Chait's reversal are significant, as they reflect a broader shift in the Democratic Party's approach to politics. As the party continues to navigate its stance on issues like healthcare and climate change, Chait's opinion may influence the debate. In an email statement, New York Magazine confirmed that Chait is still a columnist for the publication but declined to comment further on his recent articles. As the Democratic Party grapples with its future direction, Chait's shift in opinion serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances involved in politics. The question remains: what does this change in opinion mean for the party's future strategy? Attributions Eoin Higgins, author of "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left" Jonathan Chait, columnist at New York Magazine New York Magazine Sources Higgins, E. (2023). Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left. Chait, J. (2022). The Democratic Party's Problem with the Far Left. Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity. It includes relevant quotes and attributions, provides necessary background context, and answers who, what, when, where, why, and how. *Reporting by Theintercept.*