Portrait of Joe Biden
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Joe Biden on Kamala Harris

Trusted Running Mate (strong) Flip Head to head

TL;DR

Joe Biden views Kamala Harris as a proven, tough fighter and essential partner ready to govern as Vice President.

Key Points

  • He introduced her on August 12, 2020, as the person ready to join him in the battle for the soul of America.

  • He expressed confidence in her toughness and experience, noting she successfully took on big banks and Big Oil as Attorney General.

  • He stated she was chosen partly because she knows how to govern and was ready to be the last voice in the room to offer counsel.

Summary

Joe Biden's core position on Kamala Harris is one of profound trust and respect, viewing her as a highly qualified and tough political partner selected to help govern the nation. When introducing her as his running mate, he described her as smart, experienced, and a proven fighter for the middle class, emphasizing her readiness to handle critical national security challenges and make hard calls. He explicitly stated his desire for her to be the last voice in the room to always tell him the truth, demonstrating a high degree of confidence in her judgment and counsel.

This selection and ongoing endorsement carry significant contextual weight, particularly in her historic role as the first female Vice President. He noted that her story is an American story, one that offered inspiration, especially to Black and Brown girls, by showing them new possibilities for leadership. Furthermore, his respect stems partly from her prior working relationship and shared values with his late son, Beau, who had served as Attorney General at the same time she held the office in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joe Biden maintains a strongly positive sentiment toward Kamala Harris, viewing her as an indispensable partner in his administration. He has consistently praised her qualifications, toughness, and readiness to assume the highest office.

Following a recent election loss, Joe Biden rejected concerns about his age and instead attributed her defeat, in part, to sexism and racism. He expressed that he was not surprised by the outcome given the political climate.

The president chose Kamala Harris because he believed she was the right person to serve as Vice President, citing her experience, proven effectiveness as a fighter, and a personal connection through her friendship with his late son, Beau.