Vice President Kamala Harris desperately tried to reassure Democrats Thursday that President Joe Biden was still the right candidate to lead them in the 2024 election after his dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
Harris began an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper by highlighting the contrast between Biden and Trump, calling the president’s performance “extraordinarily strong.”
When CNN’s Anderson Cooper noted that Biden’s performance was disappointing for many Democrats, Harris admitted that Biden got off to a “slow start.”
“Yes, the start was slow, but the finish was strong,” he said. “And what was very clear throughout the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people.”
“The president’s performance tonight was clearly disappointing to his supporters,” Cooper said, interrupting Harris, pointing to CNN reports of panicked Democrats.
US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the election campaign
“Listen, people can debate about issues of style, but ultimately this election and who will be president of the United States has to be about substance,” Harris said.
Cooper noted that Biden’s debate performance was markedly different than Harris’ debate performance in the 2020 presidential primary.
“He was a very different person on stage four years ago when you debated him, that’s true, right?” Cooper asked, noting that it was “scary” for Democrats watching.
“I understand there is going to be an hour and a half debate tonight,” he said. “I’m talking about three and a half years of performance and work that have been historic.”
Vice President Kamala Harrison election campaign
Harris repeatedly ignored Cooper’s questions about Biden’s physical and mental fitness, instead focusing on the administration’s record.
“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 performances,” he said.
Cooper again questioned Harris’ assessment of Biden’s performance during the debate, noting that his campaign wanted him to debate.
“You can’t honestly say… can you say that you’re not worried at all having seen the president’s performance tonight?” he asked her.
“It was a slow start, that’s evident to everyone,” Harris echoed. “I’m not going to debate that point. I’m talking about the election that will be held in November.”
US President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail
Harris also appeared on MSNBC to refute the idea that Biden performed poorly during the debate.
“Well, it was a slow start, there’s no doubt about it, but I felt like it was a strong finish,” he said during an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
Harris also appeared on ABC News to discuss Biden’s performance, emphasizing that Biden focused on “facts” and his record of accomplishments.
“Listen, you didn’t get off to a good start in that debate, but you got a good finish, and you know it was a slow start and a good finish, and the bottom line is this: Let’s not decide the outcome of who’s going to be president of the United States.” United based on a ninety-minute debate, let us measure that decision against the last three and a half years,” he said.
Harris said she spent a lot of time with Joe Biden behind the scenes, personally witnessing his success on the national and global stage.
‘That’s the Joe Biden I see every day. And I urge people to look at the record and the record of achievements,” he said.
Harris’ seemingly impromptu media tour after the debate sparked speculation that the Biden campaign was deeply concerned about the debate’s results.
“You don’t send the vice president of the United States if you win the debate, usually,” former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on MSNBC as the political panel laughed.