Former US Vice-President Kamala Harris has expressed concern that she did not ask Joe Biden to pull out of the race for the White House. In an interview with the BBC for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said: I do reflect on whether I should have had a conversation with him, urging him not to run for re-election.
After months of speculation about his health and mental acuity, President Biden ended his re-election bid in July 2024 following a disastrous performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump, revealed in her book about her three-month campaign that she did not discuss any concerns regarding Biden's ability with him, nor did he raise the issue.
In her book, 107 Days, Harris wrote that Biden's decision to run again was a choice that shouldn't have been "left to an individual's ego, an individual's ambition." She suggested that perhaps she should have raised it with him and still reflects on whether she should have acted differently.
Harris shared her thoughts with the BBC, contemplating whether it was "grace or recklessness" that stopped her from speaking up. Her worry was not about Biden's capability to serve as president but about whether he could endure the rigorous demands of a re-election campaign.
Pressing the issue further, she noted that there is a serious distinction between running for office and fulfilling presidential duties, especially against a challenging opponent like Trump. Harris stated she had concerns about Biden's ability to meet the energy and endurance required during an election cycle.
Reflecting on the delicate nature of discussing such sensitive topics with someone in Biden's position, she expressed worries about being perceived as self-interested, questioning whether such a conversation would have been effective.
The concerns within Biden's inner circle about his candidacy have become a significant talking point, with various individuals alleging that his physical changes were downplayed. Biden's aides have countered these claims, assuring that his health did not impede his ability to perform as president.
Harris is currently in the UK promoting her new book, where she stated it remains "possible" for her to run for the White House again, expressing her ongoing commitment to public service.
After months of speculation about his health and mental acuity, President Biden ended his re-election bid in July 2024 following a disastrous performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump, revealed in her book about her three-month campaign that she did not discuss any concerns regarding Biden's ability with him, nor did he raise the issue.
In her book, 107 Days, Harris wrote that Biden's decision to run again was a choice that shouldn't have been "left to an individual's ego, an individual's ambition." She suggested that perhaps she should have raised it with him and still reflects on whether she should have acted differently.
Harris shared her thoughts with the BBC, contemplating whether it was "grace or recklessness" that stopped her from speaking up. Her worry was not about Biden's capability to serve as president but about whether he could endure the rigorous demands of a re-election campaign.
Pressing the issue further, she noted that there is a serious distinction between running for office and fulfilling presidential duties, especially against a challenging opponent like Trump. Harris stated she had concerns about Biden's ability to meet the energy and endurance required during an election cycle.
Reflecting on the delicate nature of discussing such sensitive topics with someone in Biden's position, she expressed worries about being perceived as self-interested, questioning whether such a conversation would have been effective.
The concerns within Biden's inner circle about his candidacy have become a significant talking point, with various individuals alleging that his physical changes were downplayed. Biden's aides have countered these claims, assuring that his health did not impede his ability to perform as president.
Harris is currently in the UK promoting her new book, where she stated it remains "possible" for her to run for the White House again, expressing her ongoing commitment to public service.
