
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Way back in 1969, educator psychologist Laurence Peter published a widely read book that established the “Peter Principle” as a trendy mainstay in corporate personnel management. ; It basically stated that people would be promoted until they reached the level of incompetence.  ; Peter’s theory was that people doing a good job will eventually get promoted to a position for which they lack the knowledge and skill to perform well and that is where they stay – at the level of their incompetence. ; They can go no higher.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When thinking of Vice President Harris, that Peter Principle came to mind.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Up to her race for President of the United States, Harris had a decent reputation as the Attorney General of the largest state in America – no matter what one might have thought of her political philosophy. ; She then moved on to the United States Senate. ; In both cases, California voters thought she was the right person for those jobs. ; In both cases, the chinks in her armor &#8212; her weaknesses and ideocracies, and even her political philosophy &#8212; did not show up. ; She was only a member of a group. ; The spotlight of public scrutiny was not so bright.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">She got high marks from many as the AG and Senator, but that all changed when Harris applied for a promotion to the presidency. ; She came on strong – and faded fast. ; Applying the Peter Principle, one might argue that the presidency was at, or more likely beyond, her level of competence.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, due to the peculiarity of politics, Harris did get into the White House and one heartbeat away from the presidency. ; Biden selected her as his running mate to fulfill his pledge to select a woman. ; He doubled down on identity politics by selecting a black woman. ; Her skills and competence were secondary considerations – if even that.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The fact that Biden put her a heartbeat away from the presidency does not mean the American people are comfortable with that thought. ; In fact, the voters have shown everything from disdain to downright fear of a Harris presidency.  ; That is why her support among the voters is abysmal. ; It is about the same as it was when her own presidential campaign exploded at liftoff.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, why do most Americans – including many Democrats –see Harris as too ; incompetent to hold the highest office in the land?</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li> ;The most obvious reason is that Harris has not done a very good job as Vice President. ; That is where she ran out of the “competency” factor.</li>
</ol>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="2">
<li>She is too far to the left. ; At least half of Americans do not embrace her hardcore woke policies. ; Whether they achieve it or not, most voters want a unifier in the Oval Office. ; Harris is not that. ; She sees the “loyal opposition” as enemies of the state – and her the personification of the state.</li>
</ol>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="3">
<li>She seems to lack the oratorical skills to present cogent and convincing narratives on critical issues. ; She too often sounds like she is lecturing to five-year-olds. ; Grownups see that as patronizing and insulting. ; She is so bad at public communication that many refer to her “word salads.”</li>
</ol>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="4">
<li>When she has been put on the world stage, she has committed a string of diplomatic or embarrassing blunders.</li>
</ol>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="5">
<li>Apparently, Harris is not a nice person to work for. ; Her political career has been marked by staff complaints and revolving-door departures. ; ;</li>
</ol>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="6">
<li>Then there is that cackle. ; Some object to it being called a cackle – but come on, man, that is what it is. ; And it surfaces at the most peculiar times. ; Some say I should not be a consideration in judging Harris – but it is.</li>
</ol>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The very thought of Harris ascending to the presidency is a major negative in Biden’s own campaign. ; If Biden was 50 instead of 80, maybe Harris would not loom so large as an election albatross &#8212; but he is not, and she does.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maybe Harris’ problem is reflected in a flattering article by Lauren Leader for <em>The Hill.</em> ; The headline theme is that Harris is not the worst Vice President in history. ; At least she beats out Aaron Burr.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">True to the Peter Principle, it would appear that Harris has risen to the point of her incompetency. ; We can only hope that she does not ; surpass it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

Does the “Peter Principle” apply to Kamala Harris?
