Vice President Kamala Harris may have spoken too soon, or at least not followed the narrative when she told CNN about President Joe Biden’s plans for 2024.
The vice president evidently had to jump into cleanup mode after she told CNN’s Dana Bash about Biden’s reelection plans earlier this week in an interview.
“In the interview, Bash noted House Minority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who helped catapult Biden ahead of a crowded Democratic presidential primary in 2020, said Harris would be his top choice to run for president if Biden opts not to seek reelection,” The Hill reported.
“Joe Biden is running for reelection and I will be his ticket mate,” Harris responded.
“Full stop?” Bash questioned.
“Full stop. That’s it,” the vice president asserted.
On Monday, Kamala Harris said, “Biden is running for reelection, and I will be his ticket mate. Full stop.”
Today she clarified her statement to say Biden “intends to run” for reelection.
What’s going on? pic.twitter.com/LsZ60zD4Ox
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 29, 2022
But aboard Air Force Two before traveling to California, Harris told a Los Angeles Times reporter in the press pool, “The president intends to run, and if he does, I will be his ticket mate. We will run together.”
New via @VP pooler
The White House said Kamala Harris wanted to clarify comments she made on CNN a few days ago. When asked if Biden was definitely running in 2024, Harris replied:
“The president intends to run and if he does, I will be his ticket mate. We will run together.”
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) June 29, 2022
Adding the “if” in the remarks seemed to be a clarification of her earlier, more definitive statement about the president’s plans.
“Advisors had told the reporter that Harris wanted to come to the back of the plane to clarify what she told CNN on Monday,” the Times reported.
“The deliberate clarification on Wednesday is certain to raise questions about Biden’s intentions, which have been the subject of speculation since the 2020 election,” the newspaper noted.
“Harris’ follow-up statement was intended to avoid using ‘trigger words’ that would set off requirements for Biden to establish a formal campaign with the Federal Election Commission and begin fundraising,” the Times added, citing an anonymous Democrat “who is close to the White House.”
The confusing walk back of comments set off Twitter reactions:
So somebody wanted her to clarify with a less definitive statement? That’s interesting
— Invisible Constituent (@JustGreggo) June 29, 2022
Follow up: “A few days ago, you said with certainty Biden will run. Today, you leave open the possibility that he will not run. What new information have you received in the last few days? Did Biden’s people tell you to revise your comments?”
— Reclaiming My Everything (@WhyIsKorisTaken) June 29, 2022
Who else is fed up with the continuous walking back of this administration?
— Nancy Ferrari (@NHT2O22) June 29, 2022
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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