Harris describes nine-hour VP vetting and post-campaign emptiness

Kamala Harris said the process that led to her selection as vice president included a nine-hour vetting session, underscoring how demanding top-level political hiring can be. She also described a recurring emotional drop after major campaigns, a reaction Fortune identified as “gold medal depression.”

Harris discussed the vice presidential screening in an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, according to Fortune. She said a lawyer spent nine hours reviewing her background, including her taxes and professional history.

By that point, Harris had already held several elected offices. Fortune reported that she served two terms as San Francisco district attorney, six years as California attorney general and four years as a U.S. senator from California before becoming the 49th vice president.

Fortune also noted that Harris was the first woman elected San Francisco district attorney and the first woman, Black person and South Asian person to serve as California attorney general.

Vetting came down to fit, Harris said

Harris said on the podcast that formal credentials are only part of the selection process for a role like vice president. She said the final stage often involves a small group of candidates who have already been examined closely.

At that point, Harris said, the decision depends heavily on whether the president and vice president can work as a team. She described the role as a partnership that requires trust, shared purpose and the ability to operate closely together, according to Fortune.

Harris was ultimately chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate and became vice president after the 2020 election. Fortune framed her account as an example of how even high-profile leaders can face long, invasive hiring processes.

A comedown after campaigns

Harris also described the emotional aftermath of major contests, including the 2024 presidential election. Fortune reported that she ran against Donald Trump with less than four months to campaign.

During that race, Fortune said Harris traveled around the country for campaign events, prepared for debates and worked to energize supporters. She lost to Trump, who is now president, according to Fortune.

Harris said the feeling after that defeat lasted for days, and she compared it to a phantom limb, according to Fortune. She said she struggled with the fact that the campaign had ended and that she could no longer act on the outcome in the same way.

Fortune described “gold medal depression” as a feeling of depression, anxiety or emptiness after major career events, regardless of whether the person wins or loses. Harris said she had experienced a similar crash after successful campaigns as well.

Harris attributed the reaction to the physical and mental intensity of competition. She said campaigns keep the body in a high-adrenaline state, and that the sudden stop after Election Day can leave a void, according to Fortune.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.