Kamala Harris Expresses Regret Over Not Urging Biden to Quit Re-Election Race

LONDON / WASHINGTON D.C. – Former US Vice-President Kamala Harris has publicly expressed regret that she did not confront President Joe Biden about his decision to run for re-election in 2024, questioning whether she should have urged him to step aside before his eventual withdrawal.

In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Harris stated, “I do reflect on whether I should have had a conversation with him, urging him not to run for re-election.”

President Biden ended his re-election bid in July 2024 following a widely scrutinized debate performance against Donald Trump. Harris stepped in as the Democratic nominee but ultimately lost the general election to Trump.

Harris clarified that her concern was not about the then 81-year-old Biden’s capacity to perform the duties of Commander-in-Chief, but rather his ability to withstand the “grueling” demands of a re-election campaign, especially against the now-current president, Donald Trump.

“I have a concern about his [Biden’s] ability, with the level of endurance, energy, that it requires, especially running against the now current president,” she said.

In her new book, 107 Days, Harris wrote that the decision to run again shouldn’t have been left to “an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition.” She told the BBC she still “ponders” whether it was “grace or recklessness” that stopped her from speaking up.

Harris admitted that confronting Biden carried a major risk: “Part of the issue there was that it would – would it have actually been an effective and productive conversation, given what would otherwise appear to be my self-interest?”

The question of who in Biden’s inner circle could have challenged his re-election decision has become a major political talking point. Allegations in the book Original Sin claimed aides covered up his physical deterioration, though Biden’s team pushed back, maintaining there was no evidence of mental incapacity.

The former Vice-President is currently in the UK promoting her book. In a sign that she may not be “done” with public service, Harris told the BBC it was “possible” she could run for the White House again, though she ruled out running for governor in California.

Former VP Reflects on ‘Grace or Recklessness’ That Silenced Her Concerns Over Biden’s Campaign Capacity; Hints at Future White House Run