Vice President Kamala Harris (Extended) | Tax Or Fiction

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Vice President Kamala Harris (Extended) | Tax Or Fiction
Release Date: August 1, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert engages in an enlightening and candid conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris. The discussion delves into her forthcoming book, 107 Days, her recent political decisions, and her perspectives on the current state of American democracy. The episode offers listeners an in-depth look into Harris's experiences and thoughts during a tumultuous period in U.S. politics.

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Main Interview with Vice President Kamala Harris

1. Welcome and Personal Updates (16:01 - 18:07)

Stephen Colbert opens the interview by welcoming Vice President Harris back to the show. He notes that this is her first appearance as a citizen since leaving office, marking her eighth visit to The Late Show. Harris shares a light-hearted update about her husband, Doug, confirming his return to practicing law and expressing her happiness for him.

2. Discussing 107 Days and the 2024 Election (16:44 - 39:35)

a. Certifying the 2024 Election (16:54 - 19:55)
Colbert commences the discussion by addressing the critical role Harris played on January 6, 2025, in certifying the electoral ballots. Harris reflects on the challenges of that day, emphasizing the constitutional duties she upheld despite the surrounding chaos.
“I was fully aware of what that moment required, not just of me, but of our country.” [19:00]

b. Decision Not to Run for Governor of California (20:36 - 25:22)
Harris announces her decision not to run for the Governor of California, despite leading in early polls. She explains that her commitment to public service drives her to seek change from within the system rather than stepping back.
“I believe we have to acknowledge and agree that the power is with the people.” [25:07]

c. Insights into Running a Short Presidential Campaign (25:22 - 37:45)
The conversation shifts to her book, 107 Days, which chronicles her brief presidential campaign. Harris discusses the intensity of the campaign, the unity it fostered among diverse groups of Americans, and the personal and collective challenges faced during those critical days.
“There are so many good people who are public servants who do such good work.” [25:22]

d. Reaction to Joe Biden's Withdrawal and Endorsement (35:00 - 39:35)
Harris recounts the moment President Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed her. She describes the immediate transition to a war room mentality, making over 100 calls to consolidate support. Harris expresses deep respect for Biden, highlighting his integrity and dedication to the rule of law.
“I have an incredible amount of respect for him.” [38:13]

3. Reflections on Democracy and Current Political Climate (39:35 - 45:16)

a. Strengths and Vulnerabilities of American Democracy (39:35 - 43:25)
Harris critiques the current state of American democracy, pointing out the complacency within governmental branches and the Supreme Court's controversial decisions. She underscores the importance of active civic engagement to uphold democratic principles.
“Our systems are not as strong as they need to be.” [23:42]

b. Encouraging Civic Participation and Hope (43:25 - 45:16)
Despite the challenges, Harris remains optimistic, urging Americans to remember their collective strength and the power of the people. She advocates for continued activism and resilience in the face of political adversities.
“You can never let anybody take your power from you.” [25:07]

4. Teasing 107 Days and Future Insights (45:16 - 45:39)

As the interview draws to a close, Harris hints at personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes moments detailed in her book, inviting listeners to explore her experiences further. She emphasizes the pivotal role her dedicated team played throughout her campaign.
“None of us achieves any success without an incredible team.” [36:55]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I was fully aware of what that moment required, not just of me, but of our country."
  — Kamala Harris [19:00]

• "I believe we have to acknowledge and agree that the power is with the people."
  — Kamala Harris [25:07]

• "There are so many good people who are public servants who do such good work."
  — Kamala Harris [25:22]

• "I have an incredible amount of respect for him."
  — Kamala Harris [38:13]

• "Our systems are not as strong as they need to be."
  — Kamala Harris [23:42]

• "You can never let anybody take your power from you."
  — Kamala Harris [25:07]

• "None of us achieves any success without an incredible team."
  — Kamala Harris [36:55]

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Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Vice President Kamala Harris's recent political journey, her reflections on democracy, and the insights encapsulated in her new book, 107 Days. Colbert's engaging interview sheds light on Harris's dedication to public service, her strategic decisions post-election, and her unwavering belief in the power of the American people. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on the complexities of political campaigns, the importance of constitutional duties, and the resilience needed to navigate a fractured political landscape.

For those interested in a deeper dive into Vice President Harris's experiences and perspectives, 107 Days promises an informative and personal narrative set to release on September 23rd.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections from the original transcript to focus solely on the substantive discussion between Stephen Colbert and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, everybody. Stephen Colbert here about to read the copy for our sponsor. This is from our friends at Wonderful Pistachios. And I was the wonderful pistachio spokesman for years. Yeah, I have a real close association with nut meat. Okay. You know what they say when they reach for a snack? Don't hold back. And that's exactly the approach with Wonderful Pistachios. The don't hold back snack. These little wonders are so tasty, it feels like getting away with something. But surprise. Each serving has 6 grams of protein and 0 grams of regret. That's right. No guilt. Just glory, glory in our nuts. Whether it's a satisfying crack of in shell pistachios, and that's capitalized in shell, or the smooth, instant gratification of no shells. No judgment. That's just it. Just eat. No judgment. I take issue with one thing. It's instant gratification. It's super tasty smooth.

[Jon Batiste]

It's a hard nut smooth.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. I mean, even out of the shell, it's still a nut.

[Jon Batiste]

We can't disparage the nuts.

[Kamala Harris]

You.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm not disparaging the nut. I'm describing the nut.

[Jon Batiste]

Don't disparage any flavors.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm not. I am celebrating the pistachio right now. I'm on board. I love pistachios. I love. I love crushed pistachio. Like a pistachio crusted trout. Oh, unbelievable. Instead of a trout amandine, a trout pistachio. Fantastic. Enough butter? Who cares?

[Jon Batiste]

Very good.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I love pistachio ice cream.

[Jon Batiste]

Have you had the sea salt and vinegar? Wonderful pistachio. It's delicious. I get them.

[Stephen Colbert]

I didn't even know I get them.

[Jon Batiste]

Before the softball games.

[Stephen Colbert]

But that's. You see, it's been a while since I've been the spokesman for wonderful pistachios. I didn't realize we'd achieved new pistachio technology.

[Jon Batiste]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. Wonderful pistachios has every snack style covered. Right now. There's an obsession with jalapeno lime. There is an obsession session. It's almost a disorder. It's spicy, it's zesty. It's basically a flavor roller coaster in a nut. Snacking on the go. Grab a bag of no shells. Feeling contemplative and want to work for it a little. So earning it, they're saying if you want to earn your nut, crack open those in shell beauties. Either way, it's snacking like a champ. So the next time hunger strikes, don't hold back. Unless it's a hunger strike. And Then it's important that you do. Because whatever you're doing that for, I'm sure it's a worthwhile cause. Snack like you mean it with wonderful pistachios. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more.

[Jon Batiste]

That was a wonderful.

[Stephen Colbert]

I wonder what more there is to learn. We just told them so much. We just told them so much about pistachios. But evidently there's a whole other world. There's an unexplored vista.

[Jon Batiste]

They got a bunch of flavors. They got dill pickle, jalapeno lime, as we learned, smoky barbecue. There's a lot of different flavors.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. And I would not disparage any of them.

[Jon Batiste]

No, no, no.

[Stephen Colbert]

Bring it on.

[Jon Batiste]

Nothing bad to say.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nut me, nut, nut me with nut meat.

[Jon Batiste]

We're nut.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, we got nothing but nut. Nutty, nutty, nutty, nutty. Talk about, talk about, talk about, talk about, talk about nutty. Good.

[Jon Batiste]

Thanks for selling your car to Carvana. Here's your check.

[Stephen Colbert]

Whoa. When did I get here?

[Jon Batiste]

What do you mean?

[Stephen Colbert]

I swear it was just moments ago that I accepted a great offer from Carvana online. I must have time traveled to the future.

[Jon Batiste]

It was just moments ago. We do same day pickup. Here's your check for that great offer.

[Stephen Colbert]

It is the future. It's.

[Jon Batiste]

It's the present. And just the convenience of Carvana. Sorry to blow your mind.

[Kamala Harris]

It's all good.

[Stephen Colbert]

Happens all the time.

[Kamala Harris]

Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana. Pick up. Times may vary and fees may apply.

[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Folks, it is while supplies last, it is the last day of July, Meaning Tonight at midnight, August 1, Trump's basket of deplorable tariffs are going to kick in. So. So this is tariff eve. Okay? Don't forget to leave out a Diet Coke and a plate of nuggets for jolly old Saint prick. Now, fans of just the photo wasn't. Fans of random economic chaos will remember that back in April, Trump claimed that he had tons of deals under his belt, saying, I've made 200 deals. On the other hand, no, he didn't. The deadline is here and he's only made eight deals because his demands are insane. And though he says this is all about trade fairness, clearly some of his tariffs are just for spite. For example, he raised Brazil's rate to a whopping 50% to punish them for prosecuting his authoritarian pal, former President Jair Bolsonaro, for attempting a coup. Well, obviously, you can't have that. I mean, Imagine if we lived in a world where everyone who attempted a coup went to jail. Sorry, how long was I happy? Trump is also imposing a 25% tariff on India, saying they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia. At a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine, we. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, Jack. Did he just accuse someone else of cozying up to Russia? I haven't seen that level of projection since the ill fated memoir. No, you're. Malala. She looks angry. She looks angry. I've never seen her that angry before. It doesn't. It doesn't seem like he's gonna get a deal with them anytime soon because India has concerns about the genetically modified crops grown in the U.S. genetically modified? You mean our strawberries aren't supposed to look like this? You know your strawberries have questionable genes when they have to be harvested by cesarean. While. While he's waiting for the world to kneel before him, Trump's keeping busy. Today he signed an executive order to revive the Presidential Fitness Test. American school children. Yeah. Which means now children will have to be as fit as President Trump. All right, everybody, hop on that golf cart and start popping nuggets till your ankles swell like a balloon full of chili. And dip and munch and dip and munch. And now. Okay, everybody, now watch TV and yell. Yell yellow. There is nothing that the guys in the sound booth like better when they hand me a whistle. Presidential Fitness Test has been around since 1966, but if Trump had to revive it, where did it go? Apparently, it changed in 2012 during the Obama administration to focus more on individual health than athletic feats.

[Kamala Harris]

Boo.

[Stephen Colbert]

Make the children perform athletic feats for our amusement. I had to do it when I was in school, and so did all of you. And I think every child should have a chance to struggle through timed sit ups while the meanest boy in school sits on their feet and farts. Okay, think about it. If they don't have to do that, where will the future comedians come from? As the head of Health and Human Services, the person leading the fitness revival is Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. No, folks, no, no. It's true. It's fitting. RFK Jr. Knows fitness. Fitness Dead bear in his mouth.

[Kamala Harris]

Really?

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow, wow, wow. No way. I gotta fit that in my mouth. It's a long story. To promote the new test, Trump also had a couple of big time men's football players with him on stage. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and troubled former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Representing the two most Exciting parts of the NFL. Extra points and cocaine. Now. Oh, an important side note, Taylor is also a registered sex offender. Mr. President, that is a brilliant way to distance yourself from the whole Epstein scandal. I fully renounce everything Jeff did. Cuz now I'm hanging out with a completely different registered sex offender. And we're just here to make sure our teenagers are very fit. Yeah, I agree. Oh, but the RFK joke got a laugh. Doesn't make any sense. What else? Oh, Today, Americans finally got our hands on the secret scandalous information we've all been waiting for. Because an anonymous website just released information from politicians and celebrities Spotify accounts, which they are calling the Panama playlists. They say the hack includes everything I know. What songs they played, when and how many times. That's right. The bops, the jams, the grooves. They have blown the lid off of something I did not realize required a lid. According to this bombshell, folks, Vice President J.D. vance is into boy bands, including the Backstreet Boys. I want it that way. Which is appropriate, because every time I see him, I think, tell me why. According. I'm sorry, how long was I happy now? They also breached the account of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who evidently listens to Missy Elliott's get yout Freak on on a playlist he calls my Shazam Tracks. Shazam. Modern day Einstein, smartest boy in the world. The guy leading the charge to replace us all with AI Here's a song that goes. Get your freak on, get your freak on, get your, get your freak on. And his first thought was, what's the name of that song? El Shazam al Sh. Here's the. Thank you. Tell me why. Backstreet back. All right, there's been a trip. Come on, Come on, ladies. You don't want to see me dance. Now, there's been a troubling development with former Trump lawyer and rotten potato flirting with you from inside the compost bin. Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz made his career as a defense attorney representing clients like Harvey Weinstein, O.J. simpson, Donald Trump, and Jeffrey Epstein. You know it's bad when you look at a list of people and think, is it really fair to lie OJ in there? Isn't that nice? Is that fair? Dershowitz famously was also at Epstein's mansion, where he received a massage. Later, he defended the massage by saying the masseuse was an older Russian woman named Olga. And he kept his underwear on and didn't enjoy it. Wow, way to throw Olga under the bus. I'm sure she was trying to do a good job. Maybe she got distracted by her gross old tighty whities. Dersh has a summer place up on Martha's vineyard where his association with the creeps has cramped his vacay vibe. He's written op EDS where he claims that his former vineyard pals are shunning him and trying to ban him from their social life. Because there's no better way to prove you're a likable guy than riding an op ed complaining that no one likes you. Unfortunately, it's getting worse for over the underpants Allen because he says he's suing a Martha's Vineyard food vendor who refused to search pierogies because of his politics. I'm sorry, Alan, but you can't force people to let you touch their pierogies. I'm sure Olga told you that.

[Announcer]

Come on.

[Stephen Colbert]

Apparently, allegedly. Tell me why.

[Kamala Harris]

Tell me why.

[Stephen Colbert]

Apparently, Dershowitz went to a local farmer's market where after he asked for six pierogi, the vendor told him they wouldn't sell him because they didn't approve of his politics. Shortly after, Dershowitz could be seen speaking to a police officer about the incident. Alan, don't bother Martha's vineyard police with this nonsense. They have bigger crimes to investigate. Like someone's houseguests bringing a domestic chardonnay. In an interview after Dersh slammed the vendor, saying, they were not my grandmother's pierogi, but they were okay, adding, I love my grandmother's pierogies, but she won't sell them to me either, Olga got to her. I feel bad for the food vendor caught up in all of this. They're called good pierogi, and they stood up for their beliefs. And do you know how hard it is to stand up after eating pierogies? It's a noodle stuffed with potato dipped in sour cream. It's a boiled nap. To our friends in Martha's vineyards, I say good pierogi. No, more like great pierogi. Cheers to you. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Kamala Harris]

Coming up. Vice president Kamala Harris.

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[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, hey. Welcome back, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen. Stay. Ladies and gentlemen, my guest tonight was Vice President of the United States. Please welcome her back to the Late Show, Vice President Kamala Harris.

[Kamala Harris]

Hi. Hi.

[Stephen Colbert]

Madam Vice President, it's nice to see you again.

[Kamala Harris]

It's great to be here.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's good to be here. Thank you. First of all, you look rested. Yes, I'm happy for you.

[Kamala Harris]

Thank you. How you doing?

[Stephen Colbert]

Well. Oh, I'm fine. I'll get plenty of rested in June now, first time you've been here as just a citizen, not as a government official. This is your eighth visit to the show. Thank you for being here once you left office. I'm just curious. I'm gonna get into the details and I wanna talk about your coming book, 107 days. But before we do that, I'm just curious, once you left office, how long before you turned on the news again?

[Kamala Harris]

Months. Yeah, months. I, you know, I'm just not into self mutilation and I just. Yeah, lots of cooking shows.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, good. Lots of cooks. Great British Bake off and stuff like that.

[Kamala Harris]

The kitchen is one of my favorites.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, amazing. Yeah, sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, one question on everyone's mind right now. How's Doug?

[Kamala Harris]

Aw, he's really well done. He's back practicing law and he's really. He's great. He's great. And thank you for asking.

[Stephen Colbert]

He said he's back practicing Law. For a second, I thought you said he's backpacking. Oh, well, he's in the Himalayas. He hasn't turned on the news yet either. Yeah. So the election ended one of the challenges for you. I thought of last year or actually, gosh, it's still this year. I can't believe it's still this year. It seems like this thing we're going through right now has been going on forever. But one of the things I thought of after the election and before January 20th is that you were still the vice president.

[Kamala Harris]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you had to be there on January 6, 2025, and count out those electoral ballots and certify. First of all, thank you for doing your constitutional duties without any question. And I'm just curious. I'm just curious, at any point, as you're counting it to go, anybody want to storm the Capitol? Anybody?

[Kamala Harris]

Nobody wants to, but, you know, but in all seriousness, Stephen, I was fully aware of what that moment required, not just of me, but of our country. And I talk about it in the book. That was. It was a difficult day, to be sure. And, you know, I had been at the Capitol four years before because I was then Vice President Elect and I was a United States Senator. So what I talk about in the book is that drive to the Capitol and remembering four years before and what Mike Pence did and what our Constitution requires and the importance of fulfilling those responsibilities. It was a difficult day because it brought up the. But it conjured a lot in terms of what that exact day was, what that day has meant in the history of our country, the recent history of our country.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you talk to Pence about that at all, by any chance?

[Kamala Harris]

I did not, but I've been very happy to compliment him as often as I can for having the courage to do what he did.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have to take a quick break. Right back with more Vice President Kamala Harris, everybody. Hey, everybody. We're back with the author of the new book, 107 Days, Vice President Kamala Harris. Well, you. You announced. Yesterday, you made an announcement that you're not running for the Governor of California.

[Kamala Harris]

Correct.

[Stephen Colbert]

Even though in early polling, you beat every other candidate by double digits. You said you're gonna sit this one out. Why are you sitting this one out? Are you saving yourself for a different office that might be.

[Kamala Harris]

No, no, no.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's not it. That's what everybody. Obviously. I know, but honestly, obviously, people project onto their hopes and dreams.

[Kamala Harris]

And honestly, that. It's more perhaps basic than that. Listen, I am a devout public servant. I have spent my entire career in service of the people. And I thought a lot about running for governor. I love my state. I love California. I've served as elected district attorney attorney general and senator. But to be very candid with you, I. You know, when I was young, young in my career, I had to defend my decision to become a prosecutor with my family. And one of the points that I made is, is why is it then, when we think we want to improve a system or change it, that we're always on the outside, on bended knee or trying to break down the door? Shouldn't we also be inside the system? And that has been my career. And recently I made the decision that I just. For now, I don't want to go back in the system. I think it's broken. I think it's. There's so much. I mean, there are so many good people who are public servants who do such good work. Teachers and firefighters and police officers and nurses and scientists. Scientists. And so it's not about them. But, you know, I believe, and I always believed that as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think right now that they're not as strong as they need to be. And I just don't want to. For now, I don't want to go back in the system. I want to travel the country. I want to listen to people. I want to talk with people. And I don't want it to be transactional where I'm asking for their vote.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, I got to say. I got to say, I want to talk about that book. But just to go back to what you just said is that I have to say, as someone who is very qualified for the presidency, a senator, Attorney General of California, vice President of the United States, and then a very hopeful and dynamic presidential candidate for the 107 days that you had to run. To hear you say that it's broken, to hear you say that our systems aren't strong enough is harrowing.

[Kamala Harris]

Well, but it's also evident, isn't it?

[Stephen Colbert]

No, it is.

[Kamala Harris]

And it is.

[Stephen Colbert]

It is harrowing.

[Kamala Harris]

And it is.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean, there's almost no first word bad.

[Kamala Harris]

But it doesn't mean we give up. But it doesn't mean we give up. That's not my point.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. Because that's what I'm hearing. Like, you don't want to be part of the fight anymore?

[Kamala Harris]

No. Oh, absolutely not. I'm always going to be part of the fight.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Kamala Harris]

That is not going to change. I am absolutely going to be part of the fight. But I think that we have to acknowledge and agree that, I mean, look, the power is with the people. That has always been the ideal and, or I say the strength of our nation, of America, that we believe fundamentally the power is with the people. We the people, and we the people. And I believe right now that it is important to do what I can do from the positions that I have held and what I have seen about the world and our country to get out there and remind everyone who needs reminding right now of their power. It is our government, it is our country. And it is important, I think, that in this moment where people have become so deflated and despondent and afraid. And afraid.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Kamala Harris]

That those of us who have the ability, which I do right now, not being in an office where I'm campaigning for that office, to be out there and to talk with folks and remind them of their power and their importance in making a difference.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, one of the things, I mean.

[Kamala Harris]

I just want to put a fine point on this. You can never let anybody take your power. You can never let anybody take your power from you. And that's what I think for me, that's what I'd like to remind folks of.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, in other big news, that as I said, you've written a book, 107 days. It describes the number of days that were in your campaign, which as you said, is the shortest presidential campaign of all time.

[Kamala Harris]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Books after an election can tell a variety of stories. They can be like an audit of what happened, guides for the future, gossipy tell alls. What do you want people to take from the story that you have to tell of those 107 days?

[Kamala Harris]

So this book is basically what I would offer as a behind the scenes sharing of what it means to run for president. It was an intense experience to run.

[Stephen Colbert]

For president in a way that no one had run before.

[Kamala Harris]

Well, to run for president, period. But certainly in a way that no one had done before in 107 days. You know, I talk about in the book, you know, there, there are some people who are born or grew up believing, I'm going to be president, I want to be president. That wasn't me. It wasn't I. I knew I wanted to serve. I knew that. But I think there is something about it all that can feel very opaque. Like people feel like they know there's these movies and these television shows, but what really is it like? And I hope by writing this book, one of the things that I do is help people see from the inside what it is in a way that they can see something about themselves that tells them, hey, I could do that, or I have that instinct. Or I have seen moments in my own life when I've had to deal with adversity or attacks, but I can still get up and go. I mean, there's a lot of personal stuff in the book. I mean, poor Dougie.

[Stephen Colbert]

You tear, you blowing the lid off of Doug. What's going on?

[Kamala Harris]

For example, my birthday is in October. The election's in November. You see where I'm going. And Dougie kind of dropped the ball at my big birthday.

[Stephen Colbert]

He didn't get you anything.

[Kamala Harris]

Oh, you have to read the book.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, just tell me the page. Tell me the page. We're going to take another break. We'll be right back with more Kamala Harris, everybody.

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[Jon Batiste]

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[Kamala Harris]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Her book is 107 days. She is vice president Kamala Harris. Obviously people will be surprised. People don't know what it's like to run for president. As you said, the way you ran was a very unique one. But so we'll be surprised. What surprised you about those 107 days? What did you not know about running for president when you'd already run for a nomination and you'd already run alongside Joe Biden? What surprised you most about what those 107 days took or needed of you?

[Kamala Harris]

Well, one, I mean, just again, to be very candid, my prayer every night was to ask God, I hope I have done everything I could do today. I was so conscious and aware of the short time that we had. And I mean, I would, it would sometimes Drive my incredible team bananas. Because wherever I showed up, in whatever town or city, I was the first thing I would do with the local leaders, be they elected community leaders, I'd ask them, what more can we do? And that's one of the things that it was very intense. But let me also say what was incredibly beautiful was we would have these events where people who I'm sure had never been under the same roof with the people who were standing next to them all were under the same roof, seeing themselves in each other, as I like to say. And it is aspirational, I think, but very real. Seeing in the face of a stranger, a neighbor. And I saw that throughout our country. You know, I mean, just you name the. Whatever you're thinking of, the race, the age, the gender, the whatever you're thinking about who our country is. And all of them being together, seeing each other as fellow Americans and invested in a common goal. And that was really beautiful and very affirming. Very affirming.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's hard for us to remember now. I mean, just hearing you describe that reminds me of something that it's so easy to forget now because the national mood is so grim in many ways, and people are so shocked by the abuses and the abhorrent corruptions and the violence against neighbors here happening in the United States by our government and the free rein being given by Congress and the Supreme Court to this president just less than a year ago. Things were very joyful. There was actually a lot of hope associated with your campaign, and there was a lot of promise that we might actually not only keep this absolute barbarian out of the White House, but also we might actually make progress as a country with the type of people that we wanted to see in office and a younger, more vital, revived political consciousness in America. What do you think of when you look back at that time and that feeling?

[Kamala Harris]

What I look back at is, as I said, how people realized the commonality and the collective strength and our collective love of our country. We love our country. And the thing about that experience is exactly what propels me to think about this moment and the future and not look back too much, which is those same people, they're still here. They still know joy in their hearts. They still know how to have a sense of optimism and faith in the future and to believe and to fight for that. And that hasn't gone away. And I just think it's really important that we never let a circumstance, situation, or person defeat our spirit. You can't let that happen. You can't give up Your belief in what can be and what can be better and in spite of. You know, I talked about it the day after the election and again I talk about it in the book. That was a rough bleeping day for me and it was important to me in my speech that I gave that day, the next day after the election to remind people to not give up. I am so aware of the joy that was there and the hope and the enthusiasm. And I just think that we have to remember it was not just a candidate that gave that. It came from the people who naturally have that. And we, and this election cannot take that away. But let's be clear eyed about it, right? And, and let's be clear eyed about what's going on. And that's why, you know, people are taken to the streets and people are organizing and people are talking with each other and they're talking about the issues and articulating what we know is wrong and what it should be. And so let's just not be defeated, right? Let's not be defeated.

[Stephen Colbert]

The book also has, it's gonna have, it has some photos that we haven't seen before. This is a photograph of you never before seen. It's the day that Joe Biden announced he'd withdrawn from the presidential race, which was July 21, 2024. What's going on here with you? Is this where you're finding out? Are you being told that this was about to happen?

[Kamala Harris]

So that day, July 21, 2024, was a Sunday and it was. My family was staying with us and including my baby nieces, my niece's children, I call them my baby nieces. And we had a really wonderful brunch. Again, I talk about what that day is, but, and then I get the call from Joe and immediately that's the dining room at the Vice President's residence. And immediately my incredible team, and I'm just, my incredible team, they just, people just started coming and we turned it into a war room. And I made over 100 calls that day. I rolled calls. And that's me on a call. So you'll see my phone is actually on my lap. And you know, I, so I know I've been teased about this, but I like these kinds of earpods that have the thing because I've served on the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have been in classified briefings and I'm telling you, like, don't be on the train using your EarPods and thinking somebody can't listen to your conversation. I'm just telling you that's A little bit more secure.

[Stephen Colbert]

So you roll those hundred calls. You roll those hundred calls in just a couple. So President Biden says he's stepping out of the campaign at what, mid afternoon, something like that. And half an hour later, he says he's endorsing you to take over. You're rolling up those cars a couple days later. It kind of. It's kind of all over about the shouting. Everybody can see that people are coalescing behind you. You have 107 days. What would you do differently, looking back on it because you were in a tough spot?

[Kamala Harris]

Yeah, there are things I would do differently. And again, read the book.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know, read the book. We all are going to read the book.

[Kamala Harris]

But I will say, did you do.

[Stephen Colbert]

The audiobook, by the way?

[Kamala Harris]

I'm going to do an audiobook, too. Yes, I will. And I'll read it, I'll record it. But I just, I mean, the one thing I just have to say, and I mentor a lot of people, I've done that over my career. None of us achieves any success. It's certainly for me, without having an incredible team. And one of the points that I hope I make often enough is I was going through that 107 days. This is a personal and candid perspective from me about what that experience was. But I had a team, many people who have been with me for years, who really were so invested. And as I say, they left it all on the field. And I don't regret a day of that.

[Stephen Colbert]

You had a great team, but you also had a friend, someone you respected greatly in the office of the president, who had just stepped away. What was that like when you saw Joe Biden walk on stage at that debate and it did not go well? Spoiler. It did not go well in that debate. Therefore, you became the candidate. At what point in the say, month that followed that did people start saying you might need to be prepared for this?

[Kamala Harris]

Let me say something about Joe Biden. I have an incredible amount of respect for him. And I think that the way that we should be thinking about where we are right now is to remember that we had a President of the United States who believed in the rule of law, who believed in the. The importance of aspiring to have integrity and to do the work on behalf of the people. And that's where I'll leave that.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think that's a fine sentiment and all true. I'm just curious, did people say to you, you should be prepared for this?

[Kamala Harris]

There were some who did, but I. Listen, it was, it was Joe's decision, and he made that decision.

[Stephen Colbert]

So then you go to run for president yourself, and people are asking you to separate yourself from Joe Biden. People are asking you over and again, I was one of them. What's different between you and Joe Biden? That must have been difficult because you have to differentiate yourself as a candidate and yet you respect this man who you're still working for at the same time. What was that like to navigate?

[Kamala Harris]

I talk about that extensively in the book.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, no, it's in the chapter with Doug.

[Kamala Harris]

No, it's because, and I, and I say that because you're raising something that you and I both know is, requires a lot of, a lot more time than we probably have right now to talk about. Are we in a hurry?

[Stephen Colbert]

Are we in a hurry, guys?

[Kamala Harris]

Thanks, everyone.

[Stephen Colbert]

Go ahead.

[Kamala Harris]

I feel very strongly that it, I mean, it's an instinct of mine to be someone who does not participate in piling on. And I was not going to pile on. And I just wasn't going to do that. And there was a lot of piling on at that time. And I wasn't going to participate in that.

[Stephen Colbert]

We'll be right back with more. Hey, everybody. We're back with Vice President Kamala Harris, the author of the new book available in September, 107 days. I will always treasure your debate with Trump. That, that was one of the greatest, that was one of the greatest rhetorical performances I've ever seen. You smoked him like a ham. You warned, I just wanted to remind everybody, you warned everyone about the future under our present president. You said he would prosecute his political enemies, he would cut Medicaid, Medicare, he would ignore court orders, he would alienate our allies, he would give massive tax cuts to the rich. And I know you're not here to say I told you so, but would you like to.

[Kamala Harris]

But let me just say this, you are correct that I did predict a lot of it. But, Stephen, what I did not predict was the capitulation. I didn't predict that people would roll.

[Stephen Colbert]

Over for this president.

[Kamala Harris]

I didn't see that. I didn't see that coming. And perhaps it's naive of me, someone who has seen a lot that most people haven't seen. But I believed that on some level, you know, there are many, there should be many who consider themselves to be guardians of our system and our democracy who just capitulated. And I didn't, I didn't see that coming.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you think, I mean, you must have some still connection to what's going on in Washington. Do you think that these people think that they can just ride out the storm and everything will be fine on the other side?

[Kamala Harris]

I think there are some who do. And I think that it is completely naive. I think there are a lot of people who are. Think they're riding out the storm as an excuse to be feckless. And, you know, this is a time for people to, you know, I mean, look, we designed our democracy with three independent co. Equal branches of government. I mean, when you see that the President of the United States is trying to get rid of the Department of Education and Congress has the role and responsibility to stand in the way of that, and they're just sitting on their hands and then they go on recess because they don't want to deal with transparency.

[Stephen Colbert]

And the Supreme Court says. And the Supreme Court says that he can ignore law that established it.

[Kamala Harris]

Yeah, but the Supreme Court, we knew what they were doing. Remember, I talked about it in 107 days. I don't put that in the book, by the way.

[Stephen Colbert]

This is an exclusive. But about.

[Kamala Harris]

This is an exclusive for the Stephen Colbert Show. But the. The Supreme Court basically gave whoever would be president. When I was in the campaign, I talked about immunity. Immunity, we talked about. So we're not surprised what the Supreme Court is doing. And God, thank those members of the court who write brilliant dissents and remind us of what the democracy and the rule of law is supposed to be, you know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, thank you so much for being here. It's an honor to have you here to talk about the new book, 107 Days. Gotta read the book to find out most of the answers tonight. But I gotta ask you something before you go. You're no longer, you know, you're not running for office right now. You're stepping away from that life right now. Who's leading the Democratic Party? I'm just curious.

[Kamala Harris]

There are lots of leaders and there's.

[Stephen Colbert]

Generally a leader of the Democratic Party, you know, like, oh, that's the leader of the Democratic Party. Who comes to mind.

[Kamala Harris]

I think there are a lot of. I'm not gonna go through names because then I'm gonna leave somebody out and then I'm gonna hear about it. But let me just, Let me say this. I think it is a mistake for us who want to figure out how to get out and through this and get out of it, to put it on the shoulders of any one person. It's really on all of our shoulders. It really is.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, Madam Vice President, thank you so much for being here.

[Kamala Harris]

Good to be with you, Steven the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Book is 107 days. It's available September 23rd. Vice President Kamala Harris, everybody. Thank you for listening to the late show pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

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I am not entertained.

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