Vice President Kamala Harris quickly became the leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination last month, but her rapid and deliberate rise has raised questions about what she knew about President Biden’s cognitive status.
American voters in Houston and New York City spoke to Fox News Digital about their opinions of Harris, whether she knew about Biden’s cognitive impairment and whether they think Biden is up to the task with five months left in the presidency.
Biden abandoned his reelection bid last month under intense pressure from his party after a terrible performance in a June debate raised concerns about whether he could beat former President Trump.
Mari, from New York City, told Fox News Digital that Harris probably “could tell if Biden was a little unwell when she passed him in the hallway,” but shrugged it off, saying it was acceptable to “be private and sensitive about someone’s health,” even if it was the president.
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Lee, of Houston, said Kamala knew “with 100 percent certainty” that Biden was not fit for the job.
“I think we need to move away from the idea that one great person is going to run the country,” he added. “I’m confident that we have a big team that can see it through to the end.”
“I think she probably knew something,” the Houston native said of Harris, adding, “I think he’s going to finish the race pretty strong and I think he’s done a pretty good job.”
Djukuji, of Detroit, Michigan, said he didn’t know whether Harris “was unaware of it.” [Biden’s condition] I don’t know if she “has her own plan,” but his actions make it seem like she does.
Lee, of Houston, said Kamala knows “with 100 percent certainty” that Biden is unfit for the presidency and argued not only because of Biden’s condition but “given the last four years that we’ve all been through, he should not continue to be president. I don’t think so.”
Trevor, of Houston, said it’s inconceivable that Harris doesn’t know what’s going on with Biden.
“I think anyone in the world, if they were actually paying attention, would have realized that the fact that she hid it all this time is definitely a red flag that everyone should think about. [when] I will vote for her,” he said.
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Trevor, from Houston, couldn’t imagine that Harris didn’t know what was going on with Biden.
““I don’t think he was fit to be president two years ago, so he’s certainly not fit to be president now. His health has completely deteriorated, and there’s no way he’s actually participating in all the things that a president should be doing at this point.”
Albin, from Queens, said he assumed Harris, as vice president, had been informed of his decision to step down and that power had been transferred to her, but noted campaign finances could also be a factor in her resignation.
“I think it’s also a campaign issue. Any money that goes to the Biden administration obviously can’t go to someone else if they run,” he said. “We only have four months left, so we’d better get the job done.”
Luke, of New York City, said if the administration had kept Biden’s health a secret, Harris would have known, but added that the person who has been running the country “for all this time” is likely to continue in that position through the inauguration in January.
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“I think she probably knew something,” Shakira, a Houston native, said of Harris.
Haley, from Houston, added that while she doesn’t know what Biden’s condition is, it’s clear the president is getting older.
“I don’t think it’s possible to work closely with someone and not have some sort of decline in his health,” she said. “I don’t know if he’s had any cognitive testing, so I can’t say. I can only rely on what his advisers and associates are saying to the media. I don’t know exactly what his health is, so if they say he’s OK to be president, I have no choice but to take them at their word.”
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George, from New York, told Fox News Digital that he thinks Biden is “functioning perfectly normally.”
“I’m older than him,” he said. “Today is my 87th birthday. I understand the problems of not remembering things in a timely manner, but I think he still has good judgment.”
In response to an earlier inquiry from Fox News Digital, the White House press office said “health was not a factor” in Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
“The President looks forward to completing his term and delivering even more historic accomplishments for the American people,” the White House said in a statement.
Fox News’ Melissa Ruddy contributed to this report.
