Kamala Harris Opens Up About Her Complicated Relationship with Joe Biden
In an eye-opening interview on the “Diary of a CEO Podcast,” Kamala Harris, the former Vice President and current Democratic frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, candidly discussed her relationship with President Joe Biden. With her memoir, “107 Days,” as a backdrop, she reflected on her time in the Biden administration and the complexities that came with it.
The Nature of Their Friendship
When asked to define her relationship with Biden, Harris described them as “good friends.” She shared a recent personal moment, revealing that he called her on her birthday on October 20. Yet, she added a layer of nuance by acknowledging that their friendship was far from straightforward. Harris expressed, “I have a great deal of affection for him,” but she also highlighted that there were moments of disappointment and anger in their dynamic.
Disappointment on the Campaign Trail
One of the more revealing anecdotes from Harris’s recollections came during her campaign preparations for a high-stakes debate against Donald Trump. After a rigorous “debate camp,” she expected an uplifting call from Biden—someone she thought would encourage her before facing such a crucial moment. Instead, the conversation veered off-topic, focusing on political gossip rather than the encouragement she sought.
Harris shared the moment candidly: “After I hung up the phone… it was unbelievable. And I was, yes, I was angry and deeply disappointed. It just was so unnecessary.” This phone call, discussing critical opinions about her from Pennsylvania, caught her off guard. She couldn’t help but feel that the stakes were too high for such distractions, especially since Biden had also faced Trump in debates before.
The Stakes of the Debate
Harris elaborated on the uniqueness of her situation as one of the few people who had faced Trump in a debate. “There are only two people in the world other than me that have debated this guy: Hillary Clinton and [Biden],” she pointed out. This context adds depth to her disappointment; it wasn’t just about personal feelings but about the very essence of the political fight they were engaged in. She stressed, “the stakes were so high,” making the mishap all the more frustrating.
Reflecting on Motivations
During the conversation, host Steven Bartlett noted that such an exchange could lead one to question the motivations of the other party. Harris seemed to agree, stating, “My takeaway is his motivation was all about himself.” This assertion sparked further discussions about their past and how those moments influenced her political ambitions.
Harris was asked directly whether she believed Biden truly wanted her to win in 2024. She responded affirmatively, stating, “I do because I was the only one who would be able to preserve his legacy.” This statement carries significant implications, suggesting that while their relationship has its complexities, there exists a level of mutual recognition and shared goals regarding the future of the country.
Present-day Concerns
As the interview progressed, Harris reframed the conversation within the current political landscape, now under Trump’s renewed presidency. She asserted, “I don’t think anybody who cares about the future of the country, the democracy, or even just protecting the Constitution of the United States, would have wanted this.” This remark encapsulates her deeper concerns, transcending personal grievances to touch on fundamental democratic values at stake in the upcoming election.
In Summary
Kamala Harris’s insights during this podcast segment shed light on her reflections regarding her tenure as Vice President and the complexities of her friendship with Biden. Her willingness to discuss both the affection and the disappointments speaks to a broader theme of navigating personal and professional relationships in the high-stakes world of politics. As we move toward the 2024 election, her experiences and perspectives could shape not only her campaign but also the Democratic Party’s vision moving forward.