Some Biden administration officials and Democrats are so worried about Kamala Harris’ mistakes that they don’t believe she can beat a Republican nominee in 2024, even though her opponent is former President Trump.
Axios reported that Democrats close to Harris told them they were concerned about Harris’ handling of politically sensitive topics and “political tone blindness”.
The vice president was widely panned by the right for her monthslong refusal to visit the southern border after she was designated to run point on the migrant surge.
One liberal operative told Axios that most Democrats aren’t saying, “‘Oh, no, our heir apparent is f—ing up, what are we gonna do?” but instead think “Oh, she’s f—ing up, maybe she shouldn’t be the heir apparent.'”
Biden’s aides believe he will be the nominee for 2024, but they realize that the president would have to be 81 to run for reelection. Harris, the first Black woman and Asian to hold the vice president, would be an easy choice for the nomination if Biden were to step aside.
Recent reports detail tensions between the West Wing, the vice president’s offices, communication problems and distrust among Harris’ senior staff members and aides.
White House chief of staff Ron Klain said the commander in chief and the vice president are in lockstep.
“The president’s trust and confidence in her is obvious when you see them in the Oval Office together,” he told Axios.
Biden senior adviser Cedric Richmond described reports of tensions and mistrust as “a whisper campaign designed to sabotage [Harris].”
We could not reach the vice president’s office immediately for any further comment.
Biden officials believe Harris is receiving bad advice from her press office and feel it’s telling she’s lost two senior aides as well as a digital director.
Many of the criticisms were directed at Harris’ chief-of-staff Tina Flournoy. According to a Politico article, which cites interviews with 22 former and current aides, Flournoy was accused of limiting Harris’ access and contributing to a culture where ideas are ignored, met with harsh dismissals, and decisions are dragged out.
CNBC reported that there were concerns about Flournoy’s leadership. CNBC reported that Harris’ chief of staff had “effectively excluded” some of his political and business allies, including top donors.
Axios reported that Flournoy months ago had sat on a request from Forbes to feature Harris in its first “50 over 50” issue, what was sure to be glowing coverage, and the West Wing had to intervene to get an answer for Forbes, according to a source familiar. An aide said that Flournoy was simply nailing down the details. The publication ultimately did feature the VP.
