As the race heats up and discussions abound about President Joe Biden’s potential re-election bid, tensions appear to be simmering within his inner circle. At the heart of this is a rumored rift between First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly as Harris gears up for the possibility of leading the Democratic ticket.
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest a significant strain started during the 2020 campaign, stemming from a heated moment when then-presidential candidate Harris criticized Biden’s past policies on race. This reportedly sparked a fierce reaction from Dr. Biden, who during a private campaign call allegedly said, “Go f*** yourself,” regarding Harris.
The conflict has seemingly escalated, with sources indicating that Dr. Biden’s staunch support for her husband’s second term may be fueled by her ongoing resentment towards Harris. This sentiment traces back to earlier disputes, notably during the Democratic primaries when Harris confronted Biden over his historical stance on busing policies. A Democratic operative close to Jill Biden shared that the First Lady’s antipathy is deep-seated, claiming that she has never forgiven Kamala for comments that some took to be allegations of racism.
Despite the tension, when the time came to choose a running mate, the dynamics within the Democratic party and Biden’s commitment to selecting a Black woman led to Harris’s selection, despite the First Lady’s reservations. “Jill was trying to stop Kamala from joining the Biden ticket in 2020. She has hated her ever since the school bus issue. But she bit her tongue because Biden boxed himself into a corner by saying he would pick a black woman for his running mate,” another insider revealed to the outlet.
Amid these internal conflicts, the White House has reportedly conducted secret polls to assess Harris’s chances against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Although the results showed Harris slightly ahead of Biden, they were not overwhelmingly positive. Nevertheless, Harris’s former colleagues have come to her defense, emphasizing her qualifications and contributions to the administration.
Doug Gansler, former Maryland Attorney General and a Democrat, expressed his confidence in Harris, telling the Daily Mail, it’s hard to “imagine someone more qualified” than Harris, and suggested that Biden “will do the right thing” by potentially stepping aside.
Amidst the reported power struggles, Dr. Jill Biden continues to face scrutiny on the campaign trail. During a recent interaction with the press, when questioned about the president’s fitness for another term, she responded to a shouting reporter, “Why are you screaming at me? You know me. Don’t scream at me. Just let me talk,” before leaving the scene in frustration.
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