Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 11: Outgoing President Joe Biden has expressed strong support for vice president Kamala Harris's potential candidacy in the 2028 Democratic presidential race, describing her as "competent" despite her significant loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Speaking just 10 days before leaving the White House, Biden stated, “I think she’s competent to run again in four years. That will be a decision for her to make.”
Biden, who made history in 2020 by selecting Harris as the first woman and first person of Indian American and African American heritage to serve as Vice President, stood firmly by his running mate, highlighting her historic and symbolic role.
Harris faced a challenging electoral journey in 2024. After Biden stepped down following a difficult presidential debate in June 2024, citing concerns over party unity and his own cognitive health, Harris secured the Democratic nomination. However, her campaign struggled, culminating in a significant defeat in the November 5 election, including losses in all seven battleground states.
Reflecting on the defeat, Biden said, “I think I would have beaten Trump, could have beaten Trump, and I think Kamala could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump.” However, he did not elaborate on the reasons behind her loss.
Harris has yet to announce her future plans, though a planned international diplomatic tour was cancelled due to ongoing California wildfires. The tour was intended to showcase her foreign policy achievements, with stops planned in Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany to address regional and NATO issues.
Despite the election outcome, Biden voiced confidence in Harris’s ability to lead and hinted at maintaining an active role in public life post-presidency. “I’m not going to be out of sight or out of mind,” he stated, contrasting himself with George W. Bush’s more private post-presidential approach.
As Harris contemplates her next steps, Biden’s endorsement could shape the Democratic Party’s trajectory in the lead-up to 2028, marking her as a potential frontrunner despite the challenges of the past election.