Staff Reports
The Vice President’s not-so-illustrious attempts to differentiate herself from President Joe Biden have the air of a comedy sketch gone wrong. The question looms large: how does Kamala Harris plan to veer away from the Biden administration? It’s a riddle she seems determined to avoid answering, resembling a politician at a family barbecue dodging the question of who brought the potato salad that nobody liked.
One might assume that anyone in Harris’s position, especially after taking over the top spot on the Democratic ticket, would have a game plan ready. Instead, she has managed to kick the can down the road not just on The View, but also on Stephen Colbert’s show and even when cornered by Bret Baier at Fox News. No response has been forthcoming, aside from a vague declaration that she won’t merely be Biden 2.0. Instead of laying out policy distinctions, she leaned heavily on her youthful age and lesser experience, completely sidestepping any substantial critique of Biden’s record. It’s akin to promising a new model car but just repainting the old clunker in a shiny color.
Kamala Harris turns her back and ignores question in reference to President Biden calling for Donald Trump to be locked up. pic.twitter.com/z0aOQCOmrn
— Patrick Webb (@RealPatrickWebb) October 23, 2024
Harris’s predicament gets murkier when considering why Biden has become such a political albatross. It isn’t solely his age or political track record that has soured voters. Issues such as the economy, inflation, and immigration fall squarely on Biden’s shoulders, and it’s safe to say that many Americans would prefer Donald Trump’s approach to these crises. Yet, Harris seems to have decided that voicing discontent with the President’s presidency is taboo, leaning into the tradition of vice presidents as quiet companions rather than critical advisors.
Even more curious is Harris’s candor regarding her relationship with Biden. She seemed to confirm what many have suspected: that she’s stuck in a political malaise where criticizing her boss might lead to dire repercussions. With the Democratic primary once having been Biden’s for the taking, only to see party leaders yank him from the race out of fear of a loss to Trump, Harris is left navigating a ship rigged to sink. Despite being the current vice president, she’s treading lightly, concerned not to ruffle feathers or risk appearing too ambitious amid Democrats that might be getting cold feet about her candidacy.
One can imagine Biden, now unable to seek reelection due to a looming, messy party reshuffle, quietly hoping to avoid a public spat with Harris while endorsing her every chance he gets. However, Harris is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place, needing to shake off Biden’s unpopularity while also maintaining a cordial relationship with him. The pressure is palpable, especially as her polling numbers are teetering it on the edge, as she struggles where Biden once slightly prevailed.
As the campaign heats up, it’s clear that while Harris seeks to distance herself from Biden, every step away could lead the way back to a nail-biting Republican comeback. Her challenges highlight the Democrats’ unsteady footing in the upcoming election, where she faces the daunting task of needing to assert her independence while the shadow of a drowning administration looms ever larger.
