In the face of media reports that question her political acumen, base competence, and political acumen, Senator Democrats offer a tepid support to Vice President Kamala Harris.
President Joe Biden assigned Harris, who was unable to participate in the 2020 presidential primaries due to the Iowa caucuses, a policy portfolio that includes immigration and election law. Critics claim that Harris is not prepared for meetings and isn’t politically savvy. Some fear that she will lose the 2024 presidential elections if Biden is unable to seek a second term.
Interviews with the Daily Caller revealed that four Democratic and Independent senators declined statements regarding Harris’ future endorsement as vice-president in 2024. Four others apparently deferred to Biden while nine other Senators offered their direct endorsement.
Independent Maine Senator Angus King has been a caucused member of the Democrats since 2013. He declined to answer the Daily Caller, saying that he would “ask that question to a Democrat.”
King stated, “You are asking the wrong person, but I’m no Democrat… I am an Independent, so it’s best to ask that question to a Democrat.”
Two senators in difficult reelection races, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, and Ohio’s Sherrod brown, declined to endorse Harris as a vice president.
“I don’t pay attention to things like that. Brown stated that he is focused on East Palestine, where there was only a Norfolk Southern Death. He said that he was more interested in this than other questions.
Manchin said, “I’m talking about that, not sorry.” Biden was not his first endorsement. He told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo he would endorse Biden if they ran.
Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, also refused to answer the question, and asked, “Is this what we are worried about?”
Jon Tester, a third Democratic senator from Montana, was not like his colleagues. He ran in a state Donald Trump won in 2020 by two-digits. According to the Daily Caller, he supports Harris staying on the ticket.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said that Harris is “terrific” and would endorse her. In a Boston radio interview, Warren had previously said that Harris would be her endorsement. However, she later reversed course and offered full support. CNN reported that Harris has refused to call her former 2020 rival.
Many other senators, including Ben Cardin from Maryland, Jon Ossoff from Georgia and Richard Blumenthal in Connecticut, appeared to delay their endorsement decision for Biden.
“That will be a presidential decision — presidential candidates. Cardin stated that he is not going to get.
“I support any presidential candidate choosing their vice-presidential nominee.” Ossoff noted that this is the right of any presidential candidate.
Blumenthal stated, “I will support Kamala Hari if she’s on that ticket with Joe Biden.”
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island stated, “I believe that’s what it’s going to get. So yes.”
Other senators endorsed the vice president directly.
“Yes,” Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy declared.
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock stated, “Joe Biden. I expect him to run, and I intend to support his, and vice president.”
Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire senator, said “Sure.”
California Senator Tammy Duckworth stated, “of course.”
“Yes, that’s right. Yes. It’s the winning team… Qualification in 2024. Donald Trump is most likely to be defeated by someone else.
“Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I expect him to. Yes,” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said.
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet stated that “She is the Vice President… she’s going be the vice President.”
The White House refered the Caller to comments Biden made that confirmed Harris would be his running-mate if he seeks re-election in 2020.
Biden stated in January 2022, “She’s going be my running mate.”
Harris has stated that Harris intends to run “with him as vice president”, and dismissed any criticisms of Biden and her as “political chatter”.
Harris’ office didn’t immediately respond to my request for comment.
