Vice President Kamala Harris has staunchly defended President Joe Biden following a debate performance that many political analysts considered lackluster. During an interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, Harris emphasized the president’s achievements and policy commitments, downplaying concerns about his debate style.
The Thursday night debate, which saw Biden face off against former President Donald Trump, highlighted worries about Biden’s age and energy. He appeared hoarse and lethargic throughout the evening. A Biden aide later informed Newsweek that the president was battling a cold, but this explanation did little to quell growing calls for his replacement within his own party.
Harris, in a heated exchange with Cooper, acknowledged the slow start but stressed the importance of focusing on Biden’s accomplishments. “What we saw tonight was the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all the issues that matter to the American people. Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish,” Harris asserted. “Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people on substance, on policy, on performance.”
Cooper, however, remained skeptical, describing Biden’s performance as “clearly disappointing” for his supporters. Harris countered by emphasizing that while opinions on style may vary, the substance of the election is what truly matters. “We can disagree about style, but we cannot ignore the substance. This election is about who can deliver for the American people,” Harris said firmly.
The interview took a historical turn when Cooper remarked that Biden seemed like a “very different person on the stage” compared to the 2020 debates. Harris responded by highlighting Biden’s consistent and impactful performance over his term. “I get the point that you’re making about a 1 1/2-hour debate tonight. I’m talking about 3 1/2 years of performance in work that has been historic,” she said.
Harris went on to praise Biden’s key accomplishments, including negotiating a bipartisan infrastructure deal and engaging with military and intelligence leaders. She noted that Biden is often sought out for his advice by world leaders. “I’m not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I’ve been watching the last 3 1/2 years of performance,” she added.
CNN anchor Abby Phillips commended Harris for her performance during the interview, noting her ability to defend both the president and herself with vigor and clarity. “She clearly understood the moment, the challenge. She needed to defend the president. But she needed to defend herself, as well. One of the things people always want to see more from her is her personality, a little bit more fire, a little bit more quickness in responding even to things that are challenging. She showed that tonight,” Phillips said.
CNN’s Chief National Correspondent John King echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Democratic Party for not utilizing Harris more effectively. He described the decision to keep Harris “under wraps” as “one of the greatest acts of political malpractice.” King questioned why Harris, who has significant appeal among key demographics within the Biden coalition, was not more prominently featured in the campaign. “In a close competitive race when you need all hands on deck, that is an asset that should have been working for him from Day One,” King concluded.
The debate has raised concerns within the Democratic Party, with CNN reporting “deep panic” among party members. Phillips observed that the level of panic she was witnessing was unprecedented in the current campaign. “The panic I’m seeing from members in the Democratic Party is not like anything that I have heard in this campaign so far,” Phillips stated.
Despite the concerns, Harris’s vigorous defense of Biden highlights the administration’s commitment to focusing on substantive achievements rather than debate theatrics. The coming weeks will likely see increased efforts to bolster Biden’s campaign and address the concerns raised during the debate.
