This is just strange.
A new book, FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, reveals troubling details about Kamala Harris’ campaign during the 2024 presidential election. According to the book, Harris’ team set strict rules regarding the chairs she was allowed to sit in during public appearances. This was not a trivial matter, as her campaign insisted that each chair meet specific standards.
The prescribed requirements included a leg height no less than 15 inches, a seat height no lower than 18.9 inches from the floor, and arms on the chairs that would not be too high, with the arms falling naturally at a comfortable height. Additionally, the chairs had to be firm. These exacting conditions were imposed after Harris’ first media interview as the head of the Democratic ticket, which came just 40 days before the election.
The controversy surrounding Harris’ seating arrangements stems from her joint interview with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on CNN. The interview, conducted by Dana Bash on August 29, 2024, became a point of focus when Harris appeared to be seated lower than Walz. This visual discrepancy led her campaign to immediately institute the new chair specifications, hoping to avoid any further awkward optics. Critics quickly pounced on the moment, claiming that it reinforced negative perceptions about Harris. The scene portrayed her as less authoritative, especially as she praised Joe Biden’s record instead of asserting her own leadership potential.
Despite the efforts to control her physical appearance, the central issue remained whether Harris could prove she had the strength and leadership to truly compete for the presidency. Former President Biden reportedly reminded her to stay in lockstep with his policies, emphasizing, “No daylight, kid.” This directive further underscored the challenges Harris faced in carving out her own identity on the national stage.
