Biden Defends Harris, Denies Limiting Her Campaign Independence
Former President Joe Biden addressed criticism surrounding his handling of former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, specifically denying allegations that he stifled her ability to differentiate herself from him. The remarks came during an interview on "The View," where co-host Sunny Hostin questioned Biden about the perception that Harris was not given enough room to establish her own identity during the campaign.
Hostin revisited a prior interview with Harris where she asked if there was anything she would have done differently from Biden. Harris’s response, "not a thing comes to mind," was subsequently "weaponized against her," according to Hostin, fueling the narrative that she was merely an extension of Biden’s policies and lacked her own vision.
Hostin then referenced reports that Biden had privately instructed Harris to maintain unwavering loyalty and avoid creating "daylight" between them. A book by reporters Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen claimed Biden repeatedly told Harris, both publicly and privately, to prioritize loyalty and avoid any perception of distancing herself, particularly during debates. The book further alleged that Biden viewed Harris’s primary role as protecting his legacy, even at the expense of her own ambitions.
Biden vehemently denied these allegations. "Well, look, first of all, I did not advise her to say that, number one," Biden asserted, referring to Harris’s comment about not doing anything differently. "Like I said, I was vice president. I understand the role, number one. Number two, I think it was, I think she was talking about, she wouldn’t have changed the successes we had, not opposed to, we wouldn’t change anything at all. She has to be her own person, and she was. She was. And so I think that was used in a way that is contrary to what she meant by it, when she said that and I think that, you know, she was part of every success we had," the former president said.
Biden emphasized that Harris was "her own person" and suggested her comments were misinterpreted. He argued that she was simply acknowledging her integral role in the administration’s successes, not indicating a lack of independent thought.
Hostin pressed Biden on the criticism that he should have withdrawn from the race earlier to provide Harris with more time to establish her campaign. Biden officially ended his campaign on July 21, 2024, leaving Harris with roughly three months before the election.
Biden defended his decision, stating that "there were still six full months" remaining and that Harris was involved in "every aspect, every decision" during his tenure. He added, "I don’t think, I hope I don’t sound the wrong way. I don’t think anybody thought we’d be successful as we were." This statement could be interpreted as a reflection of the challenges any candidate would have faced following his administration.
Biden attributed Harris’s loss to sexism and racism, echoing sentiments previously expressed by Hostin. He admitted he was not surprised by Trump’s victory, hinting at the deep-seated societal issues that continue to influence American politics.
Hostin elaborated on her belief that racism and misogyny played a significant role in the election outcome. "As a country, it’s very difficult for people to believe that racism and misogyny, they’re just alive and well. I think that we don’t want to think that about ourselves, our neighbors, our friends, but it’s – my lived experience tells me that it does still exist, even if your lived experience doesn’t tell that it exists and, you know, the facts support that," Hostin stated, citing data that revealed a stark racial divide in voting patterns.
The interview sheds light on the complex dynamics surrounding Harris’s campaign and the challenges she faced as a woman of color seeking the presidency. It also raises questions about the balance between loyalty and independence for vice presidents seeking higher office. Biden’s defense suggests he believes Harris had sufficient autonomy and that her campaign was unfairly impacted by external factors like prejudice and misinterpretations. The narrative surrounding Harris’s campaign continues to be debated and analyzed, highlighting the persistent challenges of race and gender in American politics. The discussion on "The View" serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of addressing systemic biases.
