Kamala Harris Addresses Biden’s Age in New Book

In her latest book, former Vice President Kamala Harris emphasizes that there was no “conspiracy” involving former President Joe Biden’s age. She insists that, at 82, he remains sharp as he approaches his final days in office.

Harris details her brief campaign for the presidency in 2024, and in a newly released excerpt, she discusses Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race. Many have labeled this choice as “reckless,” viewing it as an abdication of responsibility by both Biden and the former First Lady. In her book, she attributes some of Biden’s debate struggles to his age and the demands of travel.

“Some people want to spin a narrative about a grand plot in the White House to conceal Biden’s fragility. But the reality, as I’ve experienced it, is that Joe Biden is a very able and seasoned politician who can handle his presidential responsibilities,” Harris writes.

She adds, “On his toughest days, he displayed a depth of knowledge and compassion far beyond what we saw from Donald Trump. But yes, he was also exhausted, especially after long flights to West Coast fundraisers. I wouldn’t describe that as incompetence. If I believed that, I’d certainly say so. My loyalty lies with my country and with President Biden.”

In June 2024, Biden retreated to Camp David to prepare for a debate against President Trump. This came after Trump had publicly challenged him to a debate “anywhere, anytime.” Biden’s team subsequently suggested two potential dates and laid out terms.

Following a somewhat shaky performance in the debate, Biden appeared frail, prompting calls from Democrats for him to reconsider his candidacy. Reports indicated that he had been unwell and that some international trips had weathered him even further.

In the weeks that followed, pressure mounted on Biden to step back from the race. Within the White House, Harris notes that there was considerable discussion about the decisions impacting the President and the First Lady.

Reflecting on the situation, she expressed uncertainty about whether she should have advised Biden against running. She pondered if perhaps Americans had indeed made the right choice in electing him and if they might do so again.

Harris contends that Biden was often underestimated and believes he had the right strategies to push his agenda through a challenging Congress. She admits feeling ill-positioned to argue that he should step aside, fearing it would come across as selfish.

Ultimately, she referenced the weight of the decision as lying with Biden and his wife, Jill. Harris described the atmosphere around the decision-making as somewhat hypnotizing, hinting at the complexities involved in such a high-stakes political environment.