In her forthcoming memoir, Kamala Harris reflects critically on Joe Biden’s decision to seek a second term, suggesting it was marked by “recklessness.” She argues that decisions of this magnitude shouldn’t be influenced by personal ambition.
An excerpt from her book, titled “107 Days,” reveals her blunt assessment of her former boss’s choice, shared by the Atlantic on Wednesday.
“Was it a bounty or reckless? Looking back, I think it was reckless,” Harris admits, underscoring her hesitation to persuade Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race sooner.
“The stakes were simply too high. This isn’t a decision that should rest solely on someone’s ego or ambitions,” she asserts, emphasizing the broader implications of such a choice.
Despite her criticisms, Harris maintains that her decision to remain silent during tense moments stemmed from a commitment to Biden’s well-being.
“The American people chose him previously in the same match,” she points out.
“In the White House, I was perhaps the least equipped person to argue for him stepping down. If I had told him not to run, it could have come across as incredibly selfish on my part.”
“It was Joe and Jill’s decision,” she recalls, almost as a mantra that seemed to echo through their discussions.
Harris insists that if she had serious concerns about Biden’s capacity, she would have stepped in.
“People often veil Biden’s struggles with narratives of a grand plot, but I lived that truth. Biden is intelligent, experienced, and capable of fulfilling his responsibilities. Even on his roughest days, he’s more knowledgeable than Donald Trump.”
However, she acknowledges, “At 81, Biden shows signs of fatigue, especially with physical and verbal missteps. It makes sense that challenges arose after back-to-back trips to Europe and fundraising across the West Coast.”
“I don’t see this as incompetence. If I did, I would’ve said so. I’m loyal to President Biden, but my loyalty to my country comes first,” she concluded.
