Full Breakdown
Kamala Harris Critiques Biden's 2024 Re-election Decision in New Memoir
9/10/2025, 7:55:31 PM
Harris Calls Biden's Decision "Recklessness"
In her forthcoming memoir, *107 Days*, Kamala Harris, the former Vice President of the United States, has sharply criticized President Joe Biden's decision to run for re-election in 2024, labeling it as "recklessness." In excerpts published by *The Atlantic*, Harris reflects on the internal dynamics of the Biden administration, expressing regret over not advising Biden against his candidacy. She writes, “It’s Joe and Jill’s decision. We all said that, like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized. Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness. The stakes were simply too high.”
Harris emphasizes that the decision should not have been left solely to Biden's personal ambition, stating, “This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego.” She acknowledges feeling trapped in her role as Vice President, believing that advising Biden to step aside would have been perceived as self-serving or disloyal.
The Impact of Biden's Age
Throughout her memoir, Harris addresses concerns regarding Biden's age, particularly in light of his performance during the 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump. She notes that at 81, Biden "got tired," which manifested in physical and verbal stumbles. However, she defends his overall capability, asserting, “On his worst day, he was more deeply knowledgeable, more capable of exercising judgment, and far more compassionate than Donald Trump on his best.” Harris denies any notion of a conspiracy to hide Biden's mental decline, stating, “If I believed that, I would have said so. As loyal as I am to President Biden, I am more loyal to my country.”
Criticism of Biden's Inner Circle
Harris also criticizes Biden's inner circle for undermining her role as Vice President. She claims that his staff often failed to support her, particularly when she faced negative portrayals in the media. “When the stories were unfair or inaccurate, the president’s inner circle seemed fine with it,” she writes, adding that they appeared to prefer her being sidelined. Harris describes a “zero-sum” mentality among Biden's aides, suggesting that they believed her success would diminish his standing.
She recounts specific instances where she felt marginalized, including a televised address by Biden where he mentioned her only briefly, nearly nine minutes into an 11-minute speech. Harris reflects on how this lack of acknowledgment contributed to her struggles during her brief presidential campaign, which lasted just 107 days after Biden withdrew from the race.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
Harris's memoir raises broader questions about the decision-making processes within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding leadership transitions. Her reflections come at a time when many within the party are reconsidering the implications of Biden's age and fitness for office. As she navigates her own political future, Harris has ruled out a run for California governor but has not dismissed the possibility of seeking the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2028.
The release of *107 Days* on September 23, 2025, is anticipated to further illuminate the complexities of Harris's relationship with Biden and the dynamics of their administration, as well as her own aspirations moving forward.
