Biden Attributes Harris’s 2024 Election Defeat to Sexism and Racism
Former President Joe Biden has publicly stated that he was not surprised by former Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. In an interview on "The View," Biden attributed Harris’s loss to the pervasive influence of sexism and racism in the political arena, arguing that these factors played a significant role in undermining her candidacy.
Biden’s remarks came in response to a question from co-host Sara Haines, who inquired about his reaction to Harris’s loss, particularly given the initial optimism among Democrats following Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race. Biden unequivocally asserted his belief in Harris’s qualifications, stating, "I wasn’t surprised, not because I didn’t think the vice president was the most qualified person to be president. She is. She’s qualified to be president of the United States of America."
However, Biden then pivoted to explain his lack of surprise, focusing on what he perceived as the unfair and discriminatory tactics employed against Harris. "I was surprised, I was surprised because they went the route of, the sexist route, the whole route. I mean, this is a woman, she’s this, she’s that. I mean, it really, I’ve never seen quite as successful and a consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn’t lead the country, and a woman of mixed race," Biden explained.
Biden’s statement suggests a deep concern about the challenges faced by female and minority candidates in American politics. He believes that Harris’s opponents deliberately exploited existing prejudices and stereotypes to diminish her credibility and appeal to voters. By highlighting the "sexist route" and the targeting of Harris’s mixed-race heritage, Biden aimed to expose what he sees as a disturbing trend in political campaigning.
Beyond the specific factors of sexism and racism, Biden also acknowledged the broader context of the 2024 election. He emphasized the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the American psyche, stating, "Liberal democracies lost last time out, all across America. I think we underestimate the phenomenal negative impact that COVID had, and the pandemic had on people, on attitudes, on optimism, on a whole range of things."
Biden suggested that the pandemic’s disruption of daily life, coupled with widespread fear and uncertainty, contributed to a sense of disillusionment among voters, which may have indirectly influenced the election outcome.
Following his withdrawal from the race on July 21, shortly after a widely criticized debate performance against Trump, Biden endorsed Harris as his successor on the Democratic ticket. When asked about his recent conversations with Harris regarding her future plans, Biden confirmed that she had sought his counsel, but refrained from disclosing any specifics.
Biden’s decision to leave the race earlier that year stemmed from a commitment to hand over leadership to a new generation. He expressed satisfaction with the candidate that he endorsed and felt that he was leaving the party in good hands.
Biden’s interview on "The View" followed his appearance on the BBC, where he discussed Trump’s foreign policy and the timing of his exit from the presidential race. When asked if he regretted not leaving sooner, Biden asserted that the timing of his departure was appropriate, coinciding with the emergence of a strong candidate in Harris.
Despite initially intending to serve only one term to facilitate a transition of power, Biden admitted that his accomplishments during his presidency made it difficult to step aside. "What we had set out to do, no one thought we could do," he said. "Id become so successful in our agenda, it was hard to say, ‘I’m going to stop now. I meant what I said when I started, that Im preparing to hand this to the next generation, the transition of government. Things moved so quickly that it made it difficult to walk away."
Biden’s comments offer a candid glimpse into his perspective on the 2024 election results and the broader challenges facing American democracy. By highlighting the role of sexism and racism in undermining Harris’s candidacy, Biden is reigniting a crucial conversation about the need for greater inclusivity and fairness in the political arena. His observations also underscore the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American society and the challenges of navigating a complex and rapidly changing political landscape.
