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Kamala Harris (on November 12)
Photo: LAURENT ZABULON / POOL / EPA
Things are not going well for Kamala Harris right now.
The US broadcaster CNN, among others, regularly reports on internal disputes and dissatisfaction on the staff of the US Vice President.
In the midst of these negative headlines and bad polls, her communications director is now stepping down.
Ashley Etienne, who has held the post since the Vice President took office, will be leaving the team in December to "pursue other duties."
This was announced by Harris' office on Thursday (local time).
Overall, the first few months in office for US President Joe Biden's deputy did not go well.
The 57-year-old was initially hailed as the first woman and first black woman to hold the office of Vice President of the United States.
So far, however, she has not been able to develop her own profile.
In the first few weeks of the new administration, Harris hardly appeared at all in terms of content.
She ended up entrusting Biden with several highly complex issues, including curbing illegal migration and electoral reform.
However, Harris has not been able to score here so far, instead made a few mistakes and remained little visible overall.
Since the summer, her polls have deteriorated dramatically: Before that, she was popular with far more Americans than unpopular;
At the end of September, however, only 42 percent saw it as positive, but 51 percent saw it as negative.
That makes her less popular than her four predecessors in office on this point, including Mike Pence.
Harris himself tries to be confident
In an interview with television broadcaster ABC on Thursday, Harris tried to dispel depictions of frustration in her and those around her.
She countered that the government had achieved a great deal.
When asked whether she felt she was being misused or underutilized, Harris responded with a hesitant laugh and said, “No, I won't.
I am very happy about what we have achieved. ”But she knew that there was still a lot to do.
Harris' development is of great importance to the Democratic Party.
It's unclear whether Biden will run or be able to run again in 2024 - which would make Harris the heir-designate.
Most recently, the Vice President hired two experienced crisis managers.
Public relations expert Lorraine Voles, who advised Hillary Clinton, and Adam Frankel, a former speechwriter for Barack Obama, are supposed to support her with public relations.
jok / dpa
