Harris-Biden relations increasingly ‘frosty’ – WSJ
Relations between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have reportedly grown increasingly frosty following her recent electoral defeat, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Sources close to both leaders indicate that private interactions between their families are more strained compared to the administration's early days.
The WSJ notes that the deterioration in relations is particularly pronounced between First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Harris. Jill Biden was said to have harbored reservations about Harris since the 2020 Democratic primary debates when Harris criticized Biden's past opposition to federal busing programs aimed at desegregating schools. This criticism, which struck a personal chord with Jill Biden, has contributed to her ongoing unease with the vice president.
The report highlights that the political and personal dynamics between the two families have become increasingly tense after Harris' loss in the presidential race.
“The postelection rapport among the Bidens and Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, in private settings has at times been frosty,” the WSJ said, citing sources familiar with their interactions.
President Biden reportedly believes he could have won the election had he remained in the race. This sentiment has been echoed by some advisers, who argue that Biden's experience and track record, especially his victory over Donald Trump in 2020, would have made him a more formidable candidate.
According to a separate Washington Post report last week, Biden has privately expressed regret over his decision to withdraw from the 2024 election. Although he acknowledges missteps in leadership, he feels he should have stayed in the race despite the challenges that prompted his withdrawal, the article claimed, citing White House sources.
The White House has pushed back against these reports, with spokesman Andrew Bates denying any strain in relations between Biden and Harris. He stressed that both leaders are focused on delivering results for American families and “finalizing the most groundbreaking record of any modern administration.”
Biden's decision to step aside in July followed a televised debate with Trump that drew criticism and heightened concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. He has publicly admitted that his performance during the June 27 event was subpar, saying he “screwed up” as he struggled to articulate his policies clearly. This decision cleared the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee; she was subsequently defeated by Trump in the November election.
