He’s getting left behind.
During an unscheduled Q&A session at the White House press briefing, President Joe Biden claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris is “in constant contact” with him, which may not entirely align with the Harris campaign’s messaging. Biden touched on various topics such as the recent port strike, employment figures, and Hurricane Helene, although no one specifically asked about the storm. One reporter, however, inquired about Harris’ involvement in policy decisions.
Biden responded by emphasizing that Harris has been deeply engaged in shaping the administration’s policies. He described their collaboration as being “on the same song sheet” and credited her for playing a crucial role in passing major legislation. The president’s remarks come at a time when the Harris campaign seems to be attempting to distance her from some key issues, including “Bidenomics” and the border crisis, following Biden’s decision not to run for reelection and Harris stepping up as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Despite Harris’ apparent efforts to separate herself from certain administration policies, including changes to fiscal plans and distancing herself from the border issue, Biden has reportedly expressed frustration about this behind the scenes. He even suggested that he could have been successful in the election had he continued his campaign. In a recent appearance on The View, Biden dismissed claims that there was a strong reluctance toward him running again, maintaining that his polling numbers had been competitive with Trump’s.
Biden’s surprise appearance at the press briefing coincided with Harris’ own campaign event, raising speculation about the coordination between the two campaigns. This moment, combined with a previous instance where Biden briefly wore a Trump hat on September 11, has led to some questions about the dynamics between Biden and Harris as the election approaches.
As the election draws nearer, the Harris campaign has increasingly mentioned Biden less in their messaging. This was evident in the recent Vice Presidential Debate, where Harris’ running mate, Governor Tim Walz, referred to the current administration only as the “Biden-Harris administration.”
