TONY CASTRO: A revived ‘Kamalalot’ in a coming post-JFK-like White House

If the stars align and Kamala Harris ascends to the highest office in the land, it won’t just be another presidency. No, my friends, brace yourselves for the dawn of a new era—a magical epoch that we might as well call “Kamalalot.”

Think of it as Camelot 2.0, a revival of that glittering JFK presidency, only this time, it’s reshaped, rebranded, and revamped for the 21st century, all while giving a nod to the post-Obama political landscape.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t this a bit much?” To which I say, absolutely not! The presidency of Kamala Harris will surely bring back all the glamour, the allure, and the mythos of Camelot, with a few modern twists.

After all, who better to resurrect that Kennedy charm than Kamala, who, like Jack, has that rare ability to make even the most cynical among us believe in a brighter tomorrow? And let’s not forget, Kamala already has her own cast of characters—family, aides, and a few leftovers from the Obama administration—ready to step into the shoes of the Kennedys, Schlesingers, and Sorensons of yore.

Imagine the scene at Kamalalot’s Round Table, where the knights of the new era are assembling. Here we find not only the wise old political sages but also a few youthful idealists who still carry the Obama torch. These aides will bring back that same vigor, that same sense of possibility, that once defined the Kennedy years. But this time, it’s not just about space races and Peace Corps missions; it’s about tech innovation, climate action, and maybe, just maybe, a social media strategy that doesn’t involve caps lock.

Kamala, of course, will be the King Arthur of this modern-day Round Table, wielding her gavel like Excalibur, cutting through the noise of partisanship with the precision of a seasoned prosecutor. And standing beside her, let’s imagine First Gentleman Doug Emhoff as the perfect mix of Lancelot and Arthur’s ever-loyal court jester. He’ll be there to crack a joke or two when the going gets tough, all while championing causes that align with Kamala’s vision of justice and equity.

Now, one cannot discuss Camelot without mentioning Guinevere. But in Kamalalot, Guinevere isn’t just a supportive spouse—she’s the whole family unit. Picture this: Kamala’s niece, Meena Harris, a social media dynamo in her own right, becomes the White House’s go-to for all things branding and communications. She’ll spin narratives so fast, even the Kennedys would’ve been impressed. And let’s not forget Kamala’s stepchildren, Cole and Ella, who will no doubt add to the modern family vibe of the Harris White House, making it all the more relatable to millennials and Gen Z.

If JFK had his Hyannis Port, Kamala will have her own version—a West Coast retreat, perhaps in Malibu, where the Harris-Emhoff clan will host world leaders and celebrities alike. Picture the serene waves of the Pacific as the backdrop for high-stakes diplomacy and Instagrammable moments. The press will love it, and the public? They’ll eat it up.

Let’s not forget the court jesters—those late-night hosts and comedians who’ll find endless material in Kamalalot. From Stephen Colbert to Trevor Noah, they’ll have a field day with Kamala’s every move, but in the end, it’ll only serve to bolster her mythos. And who knows? Perhaps we’ll see a repeat of JFK’s legendary press conferences, but this time with Kamala delivering zingers that would make even Art Buchwald proud.

And speaking of Buchwald, one can only imagine the columns he would write about Kamalalot. Perhaps he’d poke fun at the obsession with reviving Camelot, or maybe he’d pen a piece about how Kamala’s presidency is proof that history doesn’t repeat itself—it simply gets a reboot, with better special effects and a more diverse cast.

In this new age, Kamala will set out on her own quest—a quest not for the Holy Grail, but for unity, justice, and progress. She’ll tackle the dragons of systemic inequality and climate change, all while fending off the pesky knights of obstructionism who, like Mordred, will do their best to thwart her every move. But Kamala, ever the warrior queen, will rise above, leading the nation with a blend of pragmatism and idealism that would make even JFK nod in approval.

But let’s not get too carried away with the nostalgia. After all, Kamalalot is about more than just reliving the past; it’s about forging a new future, one where the ideals of the Kennedy era are adapted to the challenges of today. It’s about a presidency that’s as much about social justice as it is about economic prosperity, as much about climate action as it is about national security.

As the years go by, the legend of Kamalalot will grow. Perhaps one day, historians will look back and say that Kamala’s presidency was the bridge between the Obama years and the new progressive era. Or maybe they’ll simply call it what it was—a period of renewed hope and possibility in a time of great division. Either way, Kamala’s time in office will leave an indelible mark on the nation’s history, just as Camelot did all those years ago.

So, here’s to the Age of Kamalalot—where the dream of a better, more just America lives on, not in the past, but in the here and now. And if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll all get a chance to sit at the Round Table, even if just for a moment, and bask in the glow of a new Camelot, reborn for a new generation.

First published at https://lamonthly.org/2024/08/20/the-age-of-kamalalot-a-revived-camelot-in-a-coming-post-jfk-like-white-house/. Reprinted with permission.