Kamala Harris appeared in high spirits during a surprise appearance at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, though she made no mention of the desperate interview her boss Joe Biden gave last Friday.
Harris congratulated the music festival, headlined by Usher and Janet Jackson, on its 30th anniversary after attending Beyoncé’s “Freedom” concert.
“I had to stop by to congratulate Essence on the 30th anniversary of the Essence Culture Festival. So enjoy this evening. Let us always celebrate the diversity, depth and beauty of our culture. Have fun tonight,” he said.
There was no mention of his boss’s disastrous eight days or politics in general.
Harris is scheduled to hold a conversation with Essence CEO Caroline Wanga during the Global Black Economic Forum on Saturday at the festival.
Kamala Harris appeared in high spirits during a surprise appearance at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, though she made no mention of the desperate interview her boss Joe Biden gave her last Friday.
There was no mention of his boss’s disastrous eight days or politics in general.
The visit comes amid calls by some to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket following his debate with former President Donald Trump.
These types of in-depth dialogues, covering a wide range of topics, can be expected throughout the event.
Harris was last present with Biden on Thursday night as the two celebrated the Fourth of July on the South Lawn of the White House.
At one point, Harris grabbed Biden’s hand and held it in the air, and then the two hugged.
President Biden admitted he couldn’t remember whether he rewatched his car crash debate with Donald Trump as he sat down for one of the most critical interviews of his political career.
The 81-year-old again blamed the meandering spectacle on his illness and exhaustion, even though he had been recovering at Camp David for seven days and his trip to Europe had ended 11 days before he took the debate stage.
Biden is fighting tooth and nail to survive the 2024 campaign and faces a mountain of calls to step aside.
He told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he had only himself to blame for last week’s calamitous prime-time showdown that sparked widespread panic in the Democratic Party.
Harris is scheduled to hold a conversation with Essence CEO Caroline Wanga during the Global Black Economic Forum on Saturday at the festival.
Harris congratulated the music festival, which features headliners Usher and Janet Jackson, on its 30th anniversary after coming out with Beyoncé’s “Freedom.”
Biden suggested that only God would make him drop out of the 2024 presidential race.
“If the Lord Almighty comes down, I could do it,” he told Stephanopoulos when asked what it would take for him to resign.
More and more Democrats have made this request public.
But Biden remained defiant throughout his 22-minute interview with Stephanopoulos.
The ABC News anchor and former Bill Clinton aide asked Biden if he really believes the polls, which show him losing to former President Donald Trump, are inaccurate.
“I think every pollster I talk to tells me it’s a safe bet, it’s a safe bet,” Biden responded.
He then added: “I don’t believe it,” when Stephanopoulos cited polls showing he would lose the popular vote (which he won overwhelmingly four years ago) to Trump this time around.
“I don’t think anyone is more qualified than I am to be president or win this race,” the president argued.
Stephanopoulos noted how Biden has said about Trump that the Republican is only serving his personal interests by running for president, and pointed to recent criticism of Biden that he is doing that too by staying atop the Democratic ticket.
“Come on, I don’t think those critics know what they’re talking about,” Biden responded. “They’re just wrong.”
Asked what Biden would do if Democratic leadership in Congress asked him to step aside, the president noted that he had already had conversations with Rep. Jim Clyburn, who saved his 2020 bid with an endorsement in South Carolina, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others.
“Everyone said I should stay in the race,” Biden said.
Stephanopoulos then asked what Biden would do if those leaders changed their tone.
“They’re not going to do that,” Biden said.
“Yes, I’m sure,” he added when pressed.
“Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came and said to Joe, get out of the race, I’d get out of the race, the Lord Almighty wouldn’t get out,” the president said.