President Joe Biden rushed to the defense of his beleaguered vice president in his first interview after officially announcing he will seek a second term in the White House.
This is the same vice president who earlier this year dismissed Democratic concerns that she is not a good fit for the 2024 presidential ticket as “political chatter.”
Speaking on MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour” to host Stephanie Ruhle Friday, Biden was asked why Kamala Harris was featured so prominently in his reelection announcement. Ruhle noted that Biden featured his vice president 10 times in the presentation.
And by contrast, Biden himself was completely ignored when former President Barack Obama announced his second bid for the Oval Office. The host asked “what are you trying to tell us?”
Biden's ex-chief of staff claims 'racism and sexism' are the reason Kamala Harris is so unpopular https://t.co/D1xR5Zsoc1 pic.twitter.com/JJpxfs49Z2
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) April 28, 2023
After noting that he and his former boss have different styles, Biden launched into a rebuttal against Harris’ many critics. “Look, I just think that Vice President Harris hasn’t gotten the credit she deserves.”
The president dutifully recited her resume and repeated that she should get more respect.
Rhule countered with the obvious point that Biden might be promoting her presence on the ticket since many realistically believe that he will not serve his full second term — if he was to win. His response to her questioning why someone would vote for an 82-year-old president was telling.
The Democrat touted his wisdom and said that he know(s) more than the vast majority of people.
Almost in the same breath, Biden took aim at the media for focusing on negative stories about his administration. “Everything is negative…the only way you’re gonna get a hit is if there’s something negative, you know. You don’t — anyway, that’s number one.”
He is not the only one who apparently has blurred the lines separating himself and Vice President Harris. She recently heaped praise on herself by tweeting that she and Biden met with “our Investing in America cabinet” before adding accolades for “our” Administration’s historic achievements.
Perhaps the strategy is to bill themselves as co-presidents who deserve equal “credit” for the shape of the nation. With the unpopularity of both — not to mention the state of the nation — it is difficult to see this as a winning campaign mantra.
