I was a strong Harris backer based on her record as AG of California. I was ready to support and vote in the primary. Then she denounced her own conservative record on crimanal justice and reminded me of Bernie Sanders on social issues.
She’s not doing that now. She’s with Biden. But which Harris would become President? She has three public personas. The tough ball busting prosecutor that I admire, the woke liberal, and a Biden supporter.
I think there are other women in Congress that could be chosen to run with Biden. Rep. Madeleine Dean has a JD law degree and excellent record. She focuses on work on ethics, gun violence prevention, economy, education, environment, veterans, health, and criminal justice. She served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Lot of legislative experience.
People age at different rates. Yes, I’m worried Biden might die in office. But he’s still in very decent shape, and doesn’t seem to be suffering from any of the really scary ailments that might began a president, like dementia or paranoia.
Anyway, Harris seems like a fine back up. I seriously considered her as my pick for democratic nominee, and she’s done nothing since to make me think she wouldn’t be a good choice. And switching VPs would be really weird. Maybe it used to be done back before i was alive. It would be weird today. Unless something really unexpected happens, i assume Biden will run with her again.
I hope to work into my 70’s and hopefully die peacefully in my sleep. But no one knows what is in our future.
I’m impressed with Biden’s physical strength. He still rides bicyles and takes long walks. It’s the cognitive that might force him out of office. He needs to lean on Harris. Shift some of that stress onto her shoulders. Let the country know she’s ready to lead.
Harris can be one tough lady. She was relentless in going after corporations in California. The Harris I admired could stand up to Putin and Iran.
I’m hoping she’s still has that toughness. Her change in the Senate and primary may be reading the room. She had to shift from the moderate center.
I don’t really agree with this. Making Harris “co-president” would have just reinforced the right’s narrative that Biden is a doddering, semi-cogent old zombie who can’t handle the job by himself. And it likely would have worked against Harris, who would look like she was usurping a job that nobody elected her to.
I don’t really see any problem with how the Administration has handled Harris. It’s the perpetual lot of vice presidents to toil away in semi-obscurity on niche issues (remember Al Gore’s reinventing government?). She’s not a boon for the ticket or a drag on it, which is really all you can expect from a VP. The election will be decided by the top of the ticket, and I suspect that these voters who profess concern that Biden has one foot in the grave wouldn’t change their vote based on him running with a sexier vice president.
Did Obama more visibly using Biden’s expertise, both trying to wrangle Congress and as a foreign policy advisor, hurt Obama by reinforcing the Right’s narrative that he was too young and inexperienced for the job? I don’t think so.
OTOH it definitely helped set Biden up for his run …
The perception is she knows there’s no easy solution and she doesn’t want any blemish on her reputation. I expect a person tasked with that job to represent the President. Show leadership!
I think you are way off base with this. First of all, the last thing expected from a VP is “leadership” or personal initiative. The VP has a strict list of assigned duties and a strict list of protocols governing them. The VP is like an NFL backup quarterback; smile, say the right things, and don’t make waves.
I don’t agree. For decades he has been an amiable doofus who embarrasses himself in things he says and does, and has also been a very effective politician who has made allies and gotten work done across the aisle.
Every time someone shows him doing something that “proves” cognitive decline I can find something he did that was worse years ago. That’s just him.
Now, he does seem to have less energy, but serving as POTUS does that to people. Look at Obama toward the end of his presidency. Especially at Biden’s age.
That would be very inappropriate for the elected President of the United States and an extremely stupid political move.
Googling, I find pictures of Harris near Biden in the situation room.
But let’s say you are right about "Obama more visibly using Biden” to wrangle Congress and foreign policy.
And suppose after she wrangles Congress there is a long shutdown. It will make the GOP look bad, but wouldn’t help her personally.
And suppose she gets visibly involved in decisions related to the Hamas war. And suppose, God-forbid, the fate of the American hostages is not what God-fearing Americans pray for.
There is nothing she can bring to the table that will help those hostages, so why get her mixed up with the predictable ugly GOP blame game surely coming unless almost all American citizen hostages are freed?
Let me be clear: it is at this point too late to do any of this.
If, hypothetically, she was actively promoted as a highly active participant of the team, then yes, failures and successes of the team would be reflected upon her to lesser degree but otherwise same as they do upon Biden.
Being reflected on her as well cannot harm him, nor her: if the team loses the damage to her future is done; if the team wins then she gains having had a more active role.
The only times that has happened has been when the President has invoked the 25th Amendment for the VP to be Acting President while he (The President) was under anesthesia. That has occurred a few times but I only remember one or two instances where it became public knowledge.
I would be relieved to hear a strong State of the Union Message 2024. It’s the President’s opportunity to layout a legislative agenda. Show the country a plan for inflation and other pressing issues. It’s crucial in the election year to be seen standing tall and leading the Democratic Party .
Perhaps Harris could outline things she’s done under the President’s direction. Or Biden could congratulate Harris and note her important work for his Presidency.
Of course Congress will pass almost none of the legislative package. But that’s not Biden’s fault.
He has to go into the election with the mantle of the President. That usually gives the President an edge. He’s above the fray and is busy serving in office.