Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed reflection on whether she should have urged then-President Joe Biden not to seek re-election. Her concern, as stated in an interview and her book, centered on the demands of a presidential campaign, rather than his capacity for the presidency itself. Biden ended his re-election campaign in July 2024 following a debate performance, after which Harris became the Democratic nominee and subsequently lost to Donald Trump.
Harris's Reflection on Biden's Re-election Bid
Kamala Harris stated in an interview that she reflects on whether she should have had a conversation with Joe Biden, urging him not to run for re-election. She described her thought process as pondering whether she should have acted differently and raised her concerns with him. Harris questioned whether her inaction was due to "grace or recklessness."
Concerns Over Campaign Demands
Harris clarified that her concern was not regarding Biden's capacity to perform the duties of President. Instead, her concern was about his ability to meet the demands of an election campaign, particularly when running against Donald Trump. She stated a distinction existed between conducting presidential duties and the energy required for a presidential campaign.
Reasons for Not Speaking Up
Harris indicated that a factor in her silence was the risk of appearing to promote her own political interests. She questioned the effectiveness of such a conversation given potential perceptions of self-interest.
Biden's Withdrawal and Campaign Aftermath
President Biden ended his re-election bid in July 2024 following a debate performance. Harris subsequently became the Democratic nominee and lost to Donald Trump.
Statements in Harris's Book
In her book, "107 Days," Harris wrote that she did not discuss her concerns regarding Biden's ability with him. She wrote that Biden's decision to run again was a choice that should not have "been left to an individual's ego, an individual's ambition," adding that "perhaps" she should have raised it.
Wider Discussion and Allegations
The issue of whether individuals within Biden's circle could have challenged his re-election decision has become a topic of discussion. A book titled "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson alleged that individuals close to Biden concealed his physical deterioration from the public. Biden's aides disputed the allegation of mental incapacity, acknowledging physical changes due to age but stating these did not affect his ability to perform the job. In a May interview after leaving the White House, Biden stated that it would not have mattered if he had withdrawn from the race earlier.
Future Political Ambitions
Harris also stated in the interview, "I'm not done," indicating a potential future presidential run.