On Wednesday, former aides to President Joe Biden expressed outrage following the release of an excerpt from Vice President Kamala Harris' upcoming book. In this excerpt, Harris criticized Biden's decision to run for re-election at the age of 81 and accused his team of undermining her during her time in office. The situation underscores a growing rift between the Biden and Harris camps, once thought to be unified during Biden's presidency.
Despite public claims of unity, Harris' remarks indicate a desire to distance herself from Biden, especially after her brief presidential campaign in 2019. The excerpt from her book, titled 107 Days and set to be released on September 23, reveals underlying tensions and frustrations that have simmered for years within the administration.
One former Biden White House official commented on Harris' performance, stating, "She had basically zero substantive role in any of the administration's key work streams." This critique suggests that her contributions were limited to photo opportunities rather than impactful actions. The official emphasized that Biden's leadership was not the reason for her struggles in office or her unsuccessful presidential campaigns.
In the excerpt published by The Atlantic, Harris reflected on Biden's decision to run for re-election, questioning whether it was a matter of grace or recklessness. "We all said that, like a mantra, as if we'd all been hypnotized," she wrote, further asserting that the stakes were too high to leave such a decision to "an individual's ego." Harris admitted that she felt unable to voice her concerns at the time, fearing it would appear as a power grab.
She elaborated on the lack of support from Biden's team, stating, "Their thinking was zero-sum: If she's shining, he's dimmed." Harris criticized the administration for not recognizing that her success could also reflect positively on Biden.
Interviews with a dozen former aides reveal that many believe Harris is attempting to shift blame onto Biden to mask her own shortcomings. One aide remarked, "I'm not sure the very robust defense of not having the courage to speak up in the moment about Biden running is quite as persuasive as she thinks it is." This criticism highlights the perception that Harris is seeking political absolution rather than taking responsibility for her actions.
Another former aide noted that if Harris had dedicated more time to addressing critical issues, such as unauthorized migration, rather than focusing on her public perception, she might have been viewed more favorably. As speculation arises about Harris potentially running for president in 2028, one aide quipped, "We're not going back!" referencing a line she used during the 2024 campaign.
While many aides expressed frustration with Harris' comments, not all responses were negative. Former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain acknowledged Harris' contributions, stating, "I thought she did a good job as vice president and I feel badly that she found the experience negative." Some aides believe that Harris' candid remarks may have shed light on the challenges she faced within the administration.
Yet, others argue that Harris' team did not capitalize on the support available to them, leading to missed opportunities. A former senior Biden official noted that while some on the Biden team attempted to help Harris thrive, she and her team did not fully utilize that support.
The release of Kamala Harris' book excerpt has opened a Pandora's box of emotions and opinions among former Biden aides. As tensions rise between the two camps, the political landscape within the Democratic Party may face further scrutiny. The ongoing discourse surrounding Harris' tenure as vice president will likely continue to evolve as her book release approaches.
