Recent events have revealed a stark rift between former President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, once thought to be allies in the Democratic Party. Their strained relationship is further complicated by Harris’ new memoir, “107 Days,” which offers a critical view of her time in Biden’s administration and her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.
In the memoir’s excerpts released by The Atlantic, Harris portrays her experience in the Biden White House as one fraught with tension. She claims to have felt “castigated” and implies that the administration operated on a zero-sum game… suggesting that her success would somehow diminish Biden’s standing. This characterization has stirred a fierce response from Biden’s camp.
A Biden insider was blunt, telling Axios that Harris “simply wasn’t qualified to be vice president.” The official asserted that Harris had little substantive role in significant aspects of the administration, stating, “She had basically zero substantive role in any of the administration’s key work streams,” and critiqued her tendency to focus on optics instead of outcomes. “Just dive bomb in for stilted photo ops,” they said, underscoring a narrative that Harris failed to capitalize on opportunities for impactful leadership.
Moreover, the ex-official shifted the blame back onto Harris, urging her to reflect rather than deflect. “If she needed someone to blame for her 2024 failure, she should look in the mirror,” they advised, indicating that her struggles stemmed from her own actions rather than external factors. This sentiment was echoed by another former aide, who seemed skeptical of Harris’ claims that she felt pressured into supporting Biden’s re-election bid. This aide noted, “If this is her attempt at political absolution, lots of luck in your senior year,” suggesting that her approach lacked credibility.
Harris also faced scrutiny regarding her lack of effectiveness on significant issues, particularly immigration. One aide pointedly remarked that had she devoted more energy to tangible solutions rather than complaining about public perception, she might have garnered a more favorable reaction from the electorate. The former aide’s critique highlighted a recurring theme… Harris’ perceived failure to engage proactively with her responsibilities.
Contrary to Harris’ assertion that she was left out to fend for herself, a separate Biden official refuted this narrative, claiming there were efforts made to help her succeed. “There were others on the Biden team who really tried to help her thrive as VP,” they noted. However, they lamented that Harris and her team did not take full advantage of the support offered to them, framing the situation as one filled with lost opportunities.
The tensions reached a peak with a quote from another former aide who humorously revised Harris’ campaign slogan, declaring, “We’re not going back!” This remark reflects a deep-seated skepticism in Biden’s circles regarding Harris’ future political aspirations. It succinctly captures the sentiment that the party is moving forward without revisiting the challenges of the past.
The unfolding drama between Biden and Harris paints a picture of a disunited front within the Democratic Party. As both former leaders continue to grapple with their political legacies and public perceptions, the fallout from “107 Days” will likely ripple through their respective careers for years to come.
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