Vice President Kamala Harris has staunchly defended her previous statements regarding President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness, even as she campaigns to succeed him. In a recent interview with CNN, Harris was asked if she had any regrets about her past assertions of Biden’s mental fitness amidst growing skepticism following his lackluster debate performance.
Harris responded firmly, stating, “No, not at all,” when questioned by CNN’s Dana Bash about her defense of Biden. The vice president, now a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, is stepping into the spotlight after Biden’s abrupt departure from the race last month. This decision came in the wake of a poorly received debate performance against former President Donald Trump, where Biden’s struggles with coherence and clarity raised concerns among both supporters and critics.
During the debate, Biden’s frequent verbal missteps and confusion intensified debates over his age and cognitive abilities, prompting many traditional Democratic supporters to join conservatives in questioning his fitness for office. Despite the growing disquiet, Harris publicly backed Biden and swiftly secured his endorsement when his campaign ended.
When Bash questioned whether Biden explicitly endorsed Harris to continue his campaign upon announcing his withdrawal, Harris sidestepped a direct answer, focusing instead on the broader implications of Biden’s presidency. She reflected on Biden’s achievements, highlighting his administration’s investments in infrastructure, economic growth, and the strengthening of international alliances. Harris emphasized that her immediate thoughts were on Biden’s legacy rather than her own candidacy.
The interview, which aired this past Thursday, was Harris’s first in nearly six weeks since she became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Joined by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris has maintained a low profile in the media, rarely engaging with press inquiries or holding press conferences during her campaign. Meanwhile, Biden has been largely absent from the public eye, spending recent weeks vacationing at his beach homes in California and Delaware.