In a striking piece of political advice, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown cautioned his former girlfriend Kamala Harris against accepting a vice-presidential nomination from Joe Biden, foreseeing a potential end to her political career.

Despite Brown's warnings, Harris is now seen as a potential 2024 presidential candidate following Biden's widely panned debate performance, and the powerful California Democratic figure's opinions about his onetime paramour are gaining renewed interest and scrutiny, as the Daily Mail reports.

Brown's relationship with Kamala Harris dates back to the mid-1990s when Harris was navigating the initial phases of her political career. The former mayor, a towering figure in California politics, was then separated from his wife and served as both the speaker of the California Assembly and later as the mayor of San Francisco.

During this period, Brown was instrumental in Harris's early political strides, appointing her to two significant state commission positions. These roles provided Harris with essential political exposure and experience, though she has stated that her career achievements were based on merit.

Their relationship, which ended in 1995, later became a focal point of critique by opponents, though Harris firmly denied that it was pivotal for her career ascent.

Historical Precedents Shape Brown's Advice

In a 2020 San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, Brown expressed his concerns about the vice-presidential role, citing historical examples where the position did not lead to further political advancement. He advised Harris that the "glory would be short-lived," as historically, the vice presidency often proved to be a dead end.

His advice reflected a deep understanding of political trajectories, influenced by his extensive experience and his past support of other notable politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein.

Despite Brown's advice, Harris accepted Biden's offer and has since been navigating the complex landscape of national politics as Vice President.

Harris as Contender for 2024

The Democratic Party, facing uncertainties about Biden's candidacy following his underwhelming debate performance, is now considering Harris as a potential leader for the 2024 presidential race. This marks a significant shift from her previous presidential campaign, which ended in late 2019 without reaching the primary elections.

Democratic strategists, spurred by the necessity to evaluate alternatives, have started considering potential running mates for Harris, indicating a serious contemplation of her candidacy.

Names like those of Govs. Roy Cooper, Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, J.B. Pritzker, and Tim Walz have been floated as possible vice-presidential candidates.

An anonymously written strategy document circulating among Democrats emphasizes that "There’s one path out of this mess, and it’s Kamala," signaling a rallying call for her leadership.

Political Reactions and Future Implications

Donald Trump has also weighed in on Harris's potential candidacy, using her past relationship with Brown to critique her capabilities and political rise. In his July 4th message, he sarcastically remarked on her previous campaign's performance, highlighting her mentorship under Brown.

Joe Biden, on the other hand, maintains his fitness to continue both his campaign and presidency, challenging the narrative that Harris is the inevitable Democratic flag bearer.

Harris's political journey from San Francisco district attorney to California attorney general, and now vice president, showcases for some her adaptability in the face of political challenges and shifting alliances.

Conclusion: A Dynamic Political Landscape

As the 2024 presidential race looms, the dynamics within the Democratic Party continue to evolve. Harris' past, shaped by both supportive and critical relationships, plays a crucial role in her public perception and political strategy.

The advice from Willie Brown, although not heeded at the time, underscores the complex considerations involved in ascending to higher political offices.

The coming months will likely reveal whether Harris can leverage her current position to achieve what Brown feared was a dead end or whether she will redefine what is possible from the vice presidency.