Even Vice President Kamala Harris’ supporters fear she hasn’t been in a position to define her leadership credentials because the 2024 election looms amid questions on President Biden’s age and talent to serve, with one Democrat remarking: “I can’t consider one thing she’s done,” according to a recent report.
Harris made history in 2020 when she was elected the primary black and first Asian-American vp, but has struggled while in office with frequent staff turnover — coupled with reports of a toxic office environment — together with frequent gaffes and “word salad” statements, and criticism of her work because the administration’s “border czar.”
In consequence, some Democrats say that even in a historically low-profile office, Harris has did not carve out a distinct segment for herself, the Latest York Times reported.
The concerns have turn into more focused and the criticism more pointed because the 80-year-old Biden gears up for a re-election campaign — with the paper reporting that even Democrats to whom Harris’ advisers referred reporters for complimentary quotes are expressing exasperation.
Some worry Harris will turn right into a political liability if she becomes the article of Republican attacks arguing that a vote for Biden will likely be a vote to place her within the White House,
“That will likely be, for my part, one of the crucial hard-hitting arguments against Biden. It doesn’t take a genius to say, ‘Look, along with his age, we’ve got to actually take into consideration this,’” John Morgan, a outstanding Democratic fundraiser, told the newspaper.
But Morgan said the jury remains to be out on whether Harris, 58, can lead the party and rally the nation behind Democrats.
“I can’t consider one thing she’s done except stay out of the way in which and stand beside him at certain ceremonies,” Morgan added.
Because the fall, high-level Democrats have been running through scenarios in case Biden decided against a 2024 run — and various them told the Times that they didn’t imagine Harris could win.
Others said the party may need to seek out a approach to sideline her without alienating critical Democratic factions, most notably black voters and college-educated women.
The Times also reported that two Democrats had recalled private conversations with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by which the 2016 Democratic nominee said she didn’t think Harris had the political chops to beat back a field of primary candidates.
But Nick Merrill, a spokesman for Clinton, said the previous first lady has had talks with Harris about being a “woman in power” and the 2 share a “strong bond.”
He dismissed “another characterization” as “patently false.”
Other Harris allies say she is caught up ready designed to not overshadow the president, presenting a situation that some see as a double standard for a outstanding black woman.
“That’s what being a primary is all about,” Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) told the Times. “She’s started working on daily basis to be sure she’s not the last.”
Ron Klain, the departing White House chief of staff, praised Harris’ outspoken support for abortion rights and her frequent overseas trips representing the administration.
“She has done all that operating under high expectations,” Klain said, noting her ground-breaking role as vp. “She carries these expectations not as a burden but with grace and an understanding of how much her history-making role inspires others.”
Harris’ staffers say she’s going to play a more outstanding part within the administration going forward, pointing to her speaking last week on the funeral for Tyre Nichols, who died Jan. 10 after being beaten by Memphis cops.
Others contend Harris had been limited by having to be tethered to the Senate within the last Congress, when she solid 26 votes to interrupt ties — greater than any vp since John C. Calhoun, who left office in 1832.
With the Democrats holding a transparent Senate majority, Harris allies imagine she’s going to give you the chance to go away Washington more regularly.
