Kamala's Critique of Biden’s Age-Related Limitations
In her forthcoming memoir 107 Days, former Vice President Kamala Harris characterized President Joe Biden’s decision to seek re-election as "recklessness," arguing that the choice should not have been left to "an individual’s ego" given the high stakes of the 2024 election. Harris acknowledged Biden’s deep knowledge and compassion but noted that at 81, he "got tired," leading to physical and verbal stumbles that became increasingly evident. She denied any conspiracy to hide his condition but emphasized that his age-related decline was apparent, particularly during the disastrous June 2024 debate against Donald Trump, which ultimately prompted Biden to withdraw from the race. Harris admitted she hesitated to advise Biden against running, fearing it would be perceived as "naked ambition" or "poisonous disloyalty".
Kamala's Claims of Mistreatment
Harris accused Biden’s inner circle of systematically undermining her vice presidency, claiming they operated on a "zero-sum" mindset where her success was viewed as diminishing Biden’s image. She described how White House communications staff rarely defended her against inaccurate attacks, including Republican-fueled narratives about her being a "DEI hire" or having a "chaotic" office. Specifically, Harris highlighted her role in addressing migration root causes in Central America, for which she secured $5 billion in private investments, but received no support from Biden’s team to counter Republican framing of her as a "failed border czar". She also noted that during Biden’s Hurricane response speech in July 2024, she was not mentioned until the final minutes, symbolizing her marginalization.
Further Claims
Harris attributed her presidential loss partly to being saddled with Biden’s unpopular border policies, which Donald Trump effectively weaponized during the campaign. Despite not being responsible for border enforcement, her actual role focused on addressing root causes of migration in Central America, she was branded as "failed border tsar" in conservative media, a label the White House never countered. Trump’s campaign ads blamed her for record border crossings and fentanyl deaths, though Harris argued Trump himself sabotaged a bipartisan border bill that would have added 1,500 agents and strengthened anti-trafficking measures. The border issue contributed to her defeat, she says, as voters cited immigration as a top concern, with Trump gaining a 35-point advantage on the issue.
Election Aftermath and Democratic Reflection
Harris’s 107-day presidential campaign, the shortest in modern history, ended in a loss to Trump, who secured 312 electoral votes to her 226. She conceded gracefully, certifying Trump’s victory and stating, "Democracy prevails," in contrast to Trump’s actions after the 2020 election. Analysts attributed her defeat to inherited voter dissatisfaction with Biden’s record on inflation and immigration, her inability to distance herself from Biden’s policies, and a flawed strategy that over-relied on abortion rights without winning over male voters. Her memoir underscores broader Democratic tensions, including debates over electability, age, and the party’s future direction after Trump’s return to power.