Biden Reflects on Harris’ Loss and Opens Up About Personal Matters

During an appearance on “The View” on Thursday, former President Joe Biden expressed he wasn’t surprised by Kamala Harris’s defeat to Donald Trump in the last election. He attributed her loss to persistent issues of sexism and racism, later clarifying his wife’s religious beliefs.

Biden mentioned, “I wasn’t surprised, not because I didn’t think the Vice President was the most qualified person to become president. She is,” and added that the campaign faced challenges due to its focus on sexism. “I have never seen it as a successful campaign where women of mixed races,” he noted, implying that these factors played a significant role.

He also remarked, rather offhandedly, that Trump’s win might not have happened had he not felt pressured to withdraw from the race, suggesting that the current president received “7 million fewer votes” than before.

After poor showings in debates, Biden withdrew his candidacy just over three months before the election under pressure from party leaders. Harris’s team quickly mobilized, gaining support in preparation for her candidacy.

“A lot of people didn’t show up,” Biden stated, highlighting the low turnout as a concern.

He expressed disappointment over the Democratic party’s losses, remarking that “liberal democracies across America and the world lost” in the last election. He reflected on the deep impact the pandemic had on public attitudes and optimism, saying, “I think we’re underestimating the incredible negative impacts that Covid had.”

Biden confirmed that he still communicates with Harris regularly. However, when asked about her prospects for running for governor of California, his response was not clear-cut. He seemed a bit evasive, not diving into specifics.

Amid concerns over his cognitive abilities, Biden responded to critics, insisting that their claims were inaccurate. His wife, Jill Biden, defended him, stating he worked hard during his presidency and calling him a great leader, prompting applause from the audience.

In a lighter moment, Biden corrected a mix-up about his wife’s religious affiliation during a discussion about Pope Francis’s funeral. When host Whoopi Goldberg referred to them as “respectful Catholics,” Biden clarified, saying, “Jill is a Presbyterian.” This remark highlighted the diversity of Christian beliefs within their family.

Jill added, “I think I’m Catholic like Joe, but I grew up in Presbyterian,” showing the couple’s shared yet distinct faith backgrounds.