On Thursday night, June 27, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a live strained exchange with CNN’s Anderson Cooper in response to President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance, which raised concerns within the Democratic Party.
The debate held in Atlanta, Georgia led to unease within the Democratic ranks regarding Biden’s ability to spearhead the party into the 2024 presidential election, following his stuttering and hoarse presentation.
Cooper initiated the interview by addressing the dissatisfaction within the Democratic party about Biden’s performance, hinting at internal calls for Biden to consider stepping down. Harris conceded Biden’s slow start but highlighted his robust closing and the distinct policy differences he articulated against former President Donald Trump.
“What we saw tonight is the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all of the issues that matter to the American people,” Harris stated. However, Cooper interjected to underscore the disappointment among Biden loyalists and the wider Democratic base, referencing the concerns voiced by Democratic lawmakers who branded the debate as a “disaster” and a “trainwreck.”
Ignoring criticisms, Harris defended Biden by emphasizing the debate’s content, stating, “People can debate on style points, but ultimately, this election and who the president of the United States is has to be about substance.” She continued her critique of Trump by labeling him a liar and rejecting his stances on issues such as the January 6 incident, election results, and abortion.
Despite Harris’s defense, Cooper continued to question whether the Biden he saw on stage was reflective of the man she interacts with daily. An evidently irritated Harris replied, “I’m not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I’ve been watching the last three-and-a-half years of performance.” This conversation underscored the tension and the high stakes surrounding the impending election.
Senior Democrats have exhibited serious apprehension about Biden’s ability to rally the party and effectively challenge Trump following his debate performance. Veteran Democratic strategist David Axelrod commented, “Biden seemed a little disoriented at the start,” but conceded that Biden seemed to regain his footing as the debate progressed.
A CNN flash poll conducted post-debate revealed that 67% of viewers believed that Trump was the victor, compared to 33% who thought Biden prevailed. This poll intensified the existing unease within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s prospects as the nominee.
In the interview’s concluding moments, Cooper questioned Harris about her concerns regarding Biden’s performance, to which she conceded, “It was a slow start; I’m not going to debate that. I’m talking about the choice in November. I’m talking about one of the most important elections in our collective lifetime.”
