Ladies and gentlemen, in the political landscape, shifts can happen quickly, and recent events surrounding President Biden’s debate performance and his decision to suspend his re-election campaign have certainly stirred the pot. Let’s dive into the details and unravel what’s been going on behind the scenes.
In the months leading up to Biden’s debate last month, Vice President Kamala Harris worked diligently to affirm and defend the president’s mental acuity. Concerns about Biden’s mental competency were frequently raised starting in the fall of 2023, especially after a series of public comments that made many question his fitness for another term. At 81 years old, Biden would have been 86 by the end of a second term, prompting further scrutiny.
In a November 2023 Sirius XM interview, Harris addressed the issue head-on, suggesting that “what’s on his birth certificate in terms of his age” is not “the measure of the man.” She emphasized Biden’s accomplishments and ability to follow through on commitments as the true measure of his leadership, urging people not to get distracted by his age.
Despite Harris’s efforts, the pressure continued to mount. On Sunday, Biden announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he would be suspending his re-election campaign. He later endorsed Harris as his successor, asking for donations to support her campaign. Harris swiftly accepted the endorsement, declaring her intent to win the Democratic nomination and urging for unity and determination in the coming 107 days until Election Day.
Biden’s decision came after a series of high-profile gaffes in 2023, including a fall at the Air Force Academy commencement ceremony, a misstatement about the Grand Canyon, and an erroneous claim about being at Ground Zero the day after 9/11. These incidents only fueled the fire of concerns about his age and mental fitness.
Harris, however, consistently defended Biden’s capabilities. During the New York Times’ Dealbook Summit in November 2023, she described age as “more than a chronological fact,” insisting that Biden remained “absolutely authoritative” in his meetings. In January, she told Katie Couric on the “Next Question” podcast that the focus on Biden’s age was a distraction, arguing that leaders should be judged by their ability to provide solutions and improve people’s lives.
Further supporting Biden, Harris told ABC News that the president is “extraordinarily smart” and has the foresight to anticipate challenges facing the nation and the world. When special counsel Robert Hur described Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” in a report about his handling of classified documents, Harris dismissed the characterization as politically motivated and inaccurate.
Kamala Harris has some serious explaining to do.
Thanks for having me on, @foxandfriends. pic.twitter.com/jC9PNHwpAU
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 22, 2024
After Biden’s debate performance on June 27, which sparked a frenzy within the Democratic Party, Harris appeared on CNN to defend him. She acknowledged that Biden had a “slow start” but emphasized that his debate performance should not overshadow his three and a half years of achievements as president. Speaking to voters in Las Vegas, she reinforced that the race would not be decided by one night in June.
As Harris steps into the spotlight, endorsed by Biden, she faces the challenge of uniting the Democratic Party and proving her capability to lead. The next few months will be crucial as she campaigns to secure the nomination and rally support from voters across the nation.
“It’s not Joe Biden who is in control. It’s not even Kamala Harris who is in control. It is the system that is in control, and they are switching out their candidate the same way that North Korea would put out election results.”pic.twitter.com/kawWF8eycg
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 22, 2024
Stay tuned, folks, as this political drama continues to unfold and the race for the Democratic nomination heats up.
