Your analysis of Harris is spot on. Many feared criticizing her as possibly strengthening Trump. So, in silence we stood while Trump appealed to the perennial primary concern of money. False hope that he would/could improve the financial wellbeing of the average voter allowed him to take power.
We think of the next election. There may not be one, if T gets what he plans.
Your view from across the pond is more clear eyed than that for most of us on this side.
Democracy provides not what people want, but what they deserve.