Joe Biden stepping aside for Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee was already a bit of a head-scratcher, but as the story goes, he was reportedly convinced that she stood a better chance at winning. Yet here we are, watching what looks like a strained, awkward relationship between the two as Harris’s chances sink and Biden stays, well, conveniently absent.
First off, let’s address the idea that Harris was the “safer bet.” Joe Biden might have his share of cognitive slip-ups, but he brought a few critical things to the table that might have actually helped the Democrats. Despite leaning hard left since taking office, Biden was still, in some circles, seen as an old-school moderate, which played well in key states.
Union folks liked him; he was popular in places like Pennsylvania, where unions and blue-collar workers carry a lot of weight. But Harris? Not so much. She doesn’t have Biden’s rapport with these demographics, and her choice of running mate only doubled down on a far-left agenda that doesn’t resonate in key states the Democrats need to win.
And then there’s Biden’s recent spate of “gaffes” that have oddly coincided with her big campaign moments. Take, for instance, his remark branding Trump supporters as “garbage” right as Harris was making her big D.C. pitch. Was that a simple slip, or is there a bit of sabotage in the air? Some folks are wondering if Biden, conscious or not, might be undermining her campaign. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s seemed to play his own game.
And speaking of tension, the Election Night plans speak volumes. Harris’s party was set to be at Howard University, just a stone’s throw from the White House. But is Biden planning to make an appearance? Not a chance. Instead, he and Jill will be tucked away in the White House with close aides, receiving election updates from a distance. It’s like watching someone politely skip a family event only to sit at home to watch a rerun of an old sitcom. Even the White House announcement sounds clinical: Biden will be “receiving updates,” not rallying with his VP, not lending moral support. Just watching. From afar.
Biden hates Kamala so much, he will not be attending Kamala’s election night watch party.
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) November 5, 2024
And it’s not just election night. Biden hasn’t exactly been going out of his way to campaign for Harris, either. Even on the final push before the election, his schedule is remarkably clear. Sure, it might be that her campaign team prefers him to stay out of the spotlight, given his, let’s say, “penchant” for misstatements. But with every day that he skips the rallies, another layer of speculation grows. Is he quietly distancing himself from what he anticipates to be a train wreck? After all, he gave up his own shot to clear the way for her, and now it seems like he’s made his peace with letting her sink on her own.
Whoa. @FLOTUS just voted in Delaware.
Is her outfit a sign? Feel like it’s a sign. 😏
Nice suit, btw! pic.twitter.com/31aiZ52OsL
— Roxanne Hoge (@RoxanneHoge) November 5, 2024
The tension’s thick enough to cut with a knife, and social media hasn’t missed a beat. Some are joking that maybe he’ll show up at Trump’s party instead, flashing back to the time Biden wore a Trump hat in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11. Is it just humor? Maybe.
But there’s no denying that Biden’s hands-off approach has some people wondering if he’s hedging his bets on Harris or perhaps just plain tired of the whole charade. Either way, one thing’s clear: Biden is playing his cards close to the chest, and Harris might be left holding the bag alone come Election Night.
