Harris

Interesting profile in the Times about the dysfunction of the Harris campaign.  She obviously possess some special political gifts, but running for statewide office in California is both hard and easy.  It's hard, because it's a huge state - actually a mini-country - and trying to organize a campaign to win there requires a fair amount of talent.

But it's also easy, in that Democrats are really popular in California and simply being the Democratic candidate is likely enough to win the race.  As a result, Harris' ability to staff and strategize was hampered by a lack of "muscle memory" in those areas.  Buttigieg has more than his share of flaws, but he is running a tight ship, especially in comparison to Harris. 

I was a Lean Harris voter this summer, but a few missteps and a generally lackluster outreach made me shift my focus to Warren.  Her missteps - a tendency to over-explain and be wonky when her real strength is simplifying complex issues - are real, too.  Both Warren and Harris have faded for a variety of reasons.  Democratic voters are risk averse at this point. They have made mistakes, especially on messaging. Perhaps they simply peaked too soon.  The field is so large no one can stand out.

Buttigieg's rise has come with increased scrutiny, and his statements on race are more in tune with '90s DLC than today's Democratic electorate.  His complete lack of support from African American voters is a huge, huge problem for him.  His test is to overcome those hurdles.  Harris and Warren may have failed theirs, which is a damned shame.