President Biden has been attempting to join Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail for the 2024 election, but has been repeatedly told she will get back to him by her campaign team. Despite his endorsement helping Harris secure the Democratic nomination with little resistance, there are no publicly scheduled events for the pair prior to Election Day. This lack of joint campaigning has been a surprise to many, especially considering Biden’s recent campaign stops and remarks in Pittsburgh that caught Harris’ team off guard.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris helped her secure the Democratic nomination with ease, yet his solo campaign appearances contrast with the lack of joint campaigning with Harris. Some of Harris’ allies have been upset by Biden’s remarks, such as his comments about locking up Trump, which were quickly clarified but provided fodder for Republican critics. Biden has also received less attention compared to other prominent Democrats, and has been considering campaign work for Democrats facing Senate races. This lack of joint campaigning may be related to Biden’s low approval ratings, with a recent poll showing a 40.8% approval and 56.6% disapproval rating.
Despite criticisms of Biden’s administration, Harris has been careful in navigating questions about him, often praising his record and refraining from disparaging remarks. She has defended Biden on various fronts, including questions about his age and mental competency. Republicans have used this connection in their ad campaigns against her, trying to link her to the economic troubles experienced under the Biden administration. However, Harris has made it clear that her presidency will not be a continuation of Biden’s presidency, emphasizing her own distinctive approach to governance in interviews.
Harris has been balancing the pressure from Democratic strategists to distance herself from Biden with the loyalty she feels towards him for endorsing her during her failed 2020 campaign. Despite potential conflicts between their staffers, Harris’ transition team downplayed accusations that her allies are planning to push out some of Biden’s loyal staffers if she wins the election. While there has been speculation about potential staff changes, the focus remains on setting up the necessary infrastructure for a potential Harris administration post-election. The relationship between Biden and Harris remains complex, with public statements and actions indicating both support and strain within their partnership.
