Biden campaign did 'virtually no research' on Kamala's 'strengths and weaknesses'—she spent $12 million on polling to figure it out

Failed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris had to take on crafting an image for herself even after serving alongside President Joe Biden for almost four years as the Biden campaign did “virtually no research” on her “strengths and weaknesses” leading up to her filling the nomination role, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Her campaign team had to spend $12 million on polling in an apparent attempt to decipher how Harris could appeal to American voters after having been an unpopular vice president. Other start-up costs for the Harris campaign included $111 million in online ads seeking donations, another $100 million transferred to battleground-state organizations, $70 million on mail and nearly $28 million for the campaign merchandise that political fans were buying. The campaign even had $50 million to buy canvassers who went door to door – something party volunteers usually do.



Then Harris really got serious about spending money, eventually reaching a $1.5 billion total that surpassed her fundraising efforts by at least $20 million. Now, as The Times outlined, some Democrats are wondering how all that money was spent and whether it was spent wisely. Although she started her campaign with more money than then-GOP nominee Donald Trump, she was soundly defeated in the Electoral College and popular while the Democrats lost their majority in the Senate and the Republicans kept their advantage in the House.

The Harris campaign didn’t just buy social media and television advertising, it appeared to buy celebrity events that were costly but ineffective, such as with Oprah and others. It was spending on average $100 million every week of the campaign and in the last few weeks of the campaign, Harris spent $2.6 million on private jets alone.

Since losing, some campaign staffers have reportedly been told they’ve received their last payment and won’t be on salary until the end of the year as promised. The campaign has continued to reach out to generous donors of all income brackets, hoping they have something left to give.

The Harris campaign’s single largest expense was advertising at around $600 million in television and online ads, per the outlet. “I will absolutely push for an introspective study and analysis of the campaign, its structure, its messaging, all communication platforms and budgeting,” top Harris fundraiser Chris Korge told the said of situation.