It seems like the once strong political alliance between U.S. President Joe Biden and his former running mate, Kamala Harris, may be starting to crack. According to a recent report by NBC News, Biden has privately expressed frustration that the media spotlight has shifted from him to Harris, the Democratic Party’s current presidential nominee. As the attention moves to Harris, Biden is reportedly feeling a bit left out – like the band leader who’s suddenly been sidelined for the new soloist.
The Shift in the Spotlight
For any politician, losing the limelight isn’t easy, especially for someone like Joe Biden, who has spent decades in Washington, D.C. But lately, it appears that Kamala Harris has become the center of attention in the Democratic Party. With Biden stepping back after a rough debate performance against former President Donald Trump, Harris has taken the reins. And that transition hasn’t exactly been smooth for Biden.
According to insiders, the president feels he isn’t being given enough respect for his time in office. In classic “Hey, what about me?” fashion, Biden is reportedly irked that the media and political chatter are focusing on Harris, as if his long career of public service has now become old news.
One of the moments that stung Biden the most was during Harris’s recent debate with Trump. When Trump likened her policies with Biden’s, Harris shot back, saying: “Clearly, I am not Joe Biden. And what I do offer is a new generation of leadership for our country.” Ouch. Harris was trying to separate herself from both Biden and Trump, but her words hit Biden harder than anticipated, making him feel like yesterday’s news.
She has since repeated the same message on several occasions, driving the point home – she’s not just riding Biden’s coattails, she’s offering something new. It’s understandable that Biden, at 81, might feel a little bruised by the “new generation” rhetoric.
While Harris is making moves, Biden isn’t shy about letting people know that he feels left behind. Sources close to him say he’s disappointed that his accomplishments – everything from “Bidenomics” to his policy achievements – are being overlooked.
Despite his frustrations, Biden is reportedly still rooting for Harris and doing what he can to support her campaign. But deep down, it’s hard not to imagine Biden scrolling through his X feed, seeing Harris’s name trending, and muttering, “I could’ve won that race, you know.”
Of course, Biden’s decision to end his campaign wasn’t entirely voluntary. His moments of public frailty and confusion, which became fodder for Republican attack ads, painted him as a leader past his prime. While Biden’s team dismissed these clips as “cheap fakes,” the damage was done. His debate with Trump in June didn’t help matters, as many viewers noted that, while both men had their slips, Trump appeared to have more energy and coherence. And that was saying something.
Still, during an appearance on The View last week, Biden asserted that he could’ve won the race. He mused about how his polling was always within the range of beating Trump, casually brushing off concerns about his age with a smile and a shrug. Classic Joe.
As Harris continues to distance herself from Biden, there’s no doubt that this shift in dynamics could create some tension. After all, Biden may be passing the torch, but it seems like Harris is eager to run ahead and leave him in the dust.
