More Kamala Aides Flee

The eleventh and twelfth Vice Presidential staffers have announced their departure from the Veep’s office. Michael Fuchs, deputy chief of staff, will depart early in May for greener pastures. Harris’ chief of staff Tina Flournoy is leaving after 15 months in the traces.

“In my experience, and if you look at past precedent, it’s natural for staffers who have thrown their heart and soul into a job to be ready to move on to a new challenge after a few years,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Except they’re working for Kamala, and its only been a few months.

Kamala Harris’ Staff Continues To Dwindle

BY NICOLE TOMMASULO

Since July 2021, rumors about the chaos inside Vice President Kamala Harris’ staff have been circulating, according to The Washington Post. Key members of her staff, like communications chief Ashley Etienne and Harris spokesperson Symone Sanders, have quit and people are starting to wonder what is wrong in the Vice President’s office that so many key people are leaving this fast.

Burning through top-level staff is a problem that has followed Harris through her 18 years of serving in the public. “She refuses to take responsibility for delicate issues,” one unnamed Harris staffer told Politico. That same staffer continued, saying Harris “blames staffers for the negative results that ensue.” Insiders close to the Vice President say this is a “familiar pattern.” After all, when her 2020 presidential campaign ended, she “jettisoned nearly everyone.” Kelly Mehlenbacher, her state operations director, resigned. The New York Times published her letter of resignation, in which she stated: “This is my third presidential campaign and I have never seen an organization treat its staff so poorly.”

Another problem staffers have is that Harris refuses to read briefing materials before meetings. “It’s clear that you’re not working with somebody who is willing to do the prep and the work,” one former staffer told The Washington Post. “With Kamala you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her own lack of confidence. So you’re constantly sort of propping up a bully and it’s not really clear why.”

The List

Fuchs’ announcement marks the 11th departure from the vice president’s staff since June. Previous staffers to leave include director of digital strategies Rajun Kaur, director of advance Karly Satkowiak, deputy director of advance Gabrielle DeFranceschi, communications director Ashley Etienne, chief spokesperson Symone Sanders, director of press operations Peter Velz, deputy director of public engagement Vince Evans, speechwriting director Kate Childs Graham, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, and national security adviser Nancy McEldowney.

Now COS Flournoy is also leaving. The reason(s) for her departure was/were not immediately clear, but the valentines were thickly slathered on.

“Tina has been a valued advisor and confidant to me and tremendous leader for the office,” Harris said in a statement.

“From day 1, she led our team during a historic first year as we made progress rebuilding our economy here at home and our alliances around the world. Tina is the consummate public servant and I will continue to rely on her advice, counsel and friendship.”

The departures are occurring with press reports describing a toxic environment among the VP’s staff. Flournoy did not escape unscathed. According to reports, her efforts to protect Harris from criticism led to her dismissing staff ideas, refusing to delegate responsibility, unnecessarily prolonging decisions, and blaming those under her for negative outcomes.

“People are thrown under the bus from the very top, there are short fuses and it’s an abusive environment,” one unnamed source told the outlet. “It’s not a healthy environment and people often feel mistreated. It’s not a place where people feel supported but a place where people feel treated like s—.”

I take a person’s measure in how they treat others, especially staff and aides. This barometer has been very useful, and never wrong.

Category: Blue Falcons, Government Incompetence, Kamala