In a recent interview with the BBC, former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed doubts about whether she should have urged President Joe Biden not to pursue re-election. Reflecting on her thoughts, she mentioned, “I do reflect on whether I should have had a conversation with him, urging him not to run for re-election.” This conversation follows Biden’s decision to exit the race in July 2024, which came after a challenging debate performance.
In her book, 107 Days, Harris noted that she did not discuss her concerns regarding Biden’s ability to manage a demanding campaign, nor did Biden broach the topic with her. She stated that his decision to run again should not have been influenced by personal ambition alone, suggesting it warranted a broader consideration.
During the interview, Harris reflected on whether a different approach would have been more beneficial: “my concern, especially on reflection is, should I have actually raised it.” She differentiated between Biden’s ability to fulfill presidential duties and the demands of a tough election campaign, emphasizing the unique challenges of running against a formidable opponent like Donald Trump.
Harris admitted that her hesitation to speak up stemmed from concerns about appearing self-serving. “Part of the issue there was that it would – would it have actually been an effective and productive conversation, given what would otherwise appear to be my self-interest?” she questioned.
The discussion raises broader questions about accountability within Biden’s inner circle. While some sources have claimed there was a lack of transparency regarding his health, Biden’s aides have countered these claims, asserting there was no evidence of mental incapacity that would impede his presidency. In a separate conversation, Biden himself remarked that his decision to stay in the race was unaffected by potential earlier exits. Currently, Harris is in the UK promoting her new book and has indicated that she remains open to future political endeavors while ruling out a gubernatorial run in California.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj412zgvy4do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss