Kamala Harris Regrets Not Opposing Biden’s 2024 Reelection Bid
Harris admits responsibility, saying she should have voiced concerns over Biden seeking a second term.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed regret for not voicing concerns about President Joe Biden’s decision to run for a second term, citing public skepticism about his age and fitness. In her first live television interview since the 2024 election, speaking to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday, Harris acknowledged a missed opportunity to influence the decision. Her remarks expand on her new book, 107 Days, which details her rapid campaign as the Democratic nominee after Biden’s exit, culminating in her loss to Republican Donald Trump.
In 107 Days, Harris describes White House discussions that framed Biden’s re-election choice as a personal one for him and First Lady Jill Biden. “Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness,” she wrote, arguing the decision’s national implications outweighed personal ambition.
On MSNBC, Harris clarified that her critique included her own inaction, admitting, “I have and had a certain responsibility that I should have followed through on.” She hesitated to advise Biden against running, fearing it might seem self-serving, given her 2020 primary rivalry with him and her position as a potential successor.
Biden, 81 during the campaign, faced mounting concerns about his age, with polls showing many Americans viewed him as too old for another term ending at 86. His faltering debate performance in June 2024 fueled calls for him to step aside, leading to his withdrawal in July and Harris’s nomination. Her 107-day campaign emphasized democracy and economic equity but struggled against economic discontent and Trump’s loyal base.
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Harris’s candid reflection signals Democratic Party soul-searching after the 2024 defeat. Critics suggest earlier intervention might have shifted the race’s outcome. While not detailing specific conversations, Harris’s comments highlight the tension between loyalty and strategic pragmatism in politics, potentially positioning her for future party leadership as Democrats reassess their path forward.
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