WASHINGTON — President Biden complained to former President Barack Obama that “she” is “not as strong as me,” in a surprising off-mic conversation deciphered for the Post by a professional lip reader. agreed, saying, “That's right.''
Vice President Kamala Harris' frank assessment of her position in the run-up to the November 5 election was made clear Wednesday afternoon as America's two most recent Democratic presidents met at Ethel Kennedy's funeral in Washington. Ta.
“She's not as strong as me,” the 81-year-old Biden said, according to a translation created by analyzing lip movements on video during the debate.
“I know…that's true,” the popular former president agreed, adding, “There's time.”
“Yes, we will make it in time,” Biden said. Mr. Biden was forced on July 21 by his fellow Democrats to abandon his party's nomination in favor of Ms. Harris, in a revolt that Mr. Obama was expected to support.
Shortly before that, President Obama had mentioned the possibility of campaigning alongside Harris, saying, “It's important that we spend time together.”
The conversation was translated for the Post by London-based forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman, who was born deaf and has been a University College London Certified Expert Witness for litigants, police and journalists for 16 years. I have served as
Friedman's transcript did not include Harris' name, but it is unclear who else the conversation involved.
Friedman said conservation efforts have been “very collaborative,” and there was a moment when Obama shook his head, leading to speculation that he and Mr. He said he did not sense any “tension” between Mr. Biden and Mr. Biden.
Democratic Party officials asked about the translation were divided, with some saying they believed it was an honest look at the election and others expressing such distrust that they questioned the accuracy of the manuscript. expressed.
“From the beginning, there were widespread concerns that Harris was not a viable replacement for Biden, who was clearly a sinking ship. [that] “Several House members have floated the idea of holding the convention open to the public or removing Harris from the ticket along with Biden,” one Democratic Party official said.
“Democrats have effectively robbed Peter to pay Paul, and now they're stuck with a sinking ship that's not very nice.”
President Obama's press secretary had no immediate comment, and Biden's press secretary, Andrew Bates, said: “'Are you an expert on lip reading?'” Was the usual right-wing fortune teller complaining of his absence? Only Presidents Biden and Obama know what they discussed, but they were by no means the only ones. ”
Meanwhile, two former Biden White House officials working to support Harris' candidacy told the Post they were stunned by the translation and questioned whether it was accurate. One person urged “new lip reading'' and another said “. I don't even like it [Biden] To say that. ”
Harris, 59, soared in the polls shortly after replacing Biden, who was initially furious and refused to step down, as the Democratic nominee against former President Donald Trump, but has since trailed in polls in key battleground states. dropped.
Here are RealClearPolitics' recent polling averages Harris follows Trump78 years old, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. Republicans have outperformed public opinion polls in each of the past two presidential elections.
Mr. Biden initially refused to relinquish his party's nomination this summer, claiming he had won the state nomination contest earlier this year by more than 14 million votes, with only a formal showing of opposition.
After Harris struggled to clearly articulate her position in the June 27 debate with President Trump, she ultimately announced her decision amid mounting pressure from Democrats who questioned her mental strength. He decided to retire and support Harris.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., helped lead the insurrection, pointing to grim polls showing Biden could crush the Democratic vote against him. Meanwhile, Mr. Obama's friend, actor George Clooney, wrote a scathing New York Times op-ed detailing his concerns about Mr. Biden. Cognitive fitness.
Pelosi, 84, also attended a marathon three-hour memorial service for the Kennedy matriarch near the White House.
house. She and Biden have not spoken since she helped push him into retirement, and the outgoing president praised Biden, Obama and former President Bill Clinton, who was also present. There seemed to be times when he flinched while speaking.
