Vice President Kamala Harris has consistently demonstrated her loyalty to President Joe Biden, appearing at key events alongside him and reinforcing his candidacy for re-election in 2024. Her commitment has been evident through her presence at Democratic governors’ meetings, calls with international leaders, and celebrations like the Fourth of July, where Biden publicly showcased their unity.
In the current uncertain political climate, Harris’s steadfast support for Biden aims to prevent any perception of disloyalty. However, this loyalty places her in a delicate position: while some Democrats consider her a potential leader should Biden step aside, she cannot openly prepare for such a scenario without risking the appearance of disloyalty.
Reverend Al Sharpton, who spoke with Harris at a recent event, acknowledged her challenging position, describing the vice presidency itself as inherently awkward. Despite speculations, Harris’s advisers firmly deny any preparations for a presidential campaign, and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.
Should Biden choose to step down, Harris faces two potential scenarios: Biden could endorse her as the party’s candidate, leveraging his influence to secure her nomination, or he could leave the decision to the delegates, leading to a competitive nomination process. Speculations about potential running mates have surfaced, with figures like North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro mentioned as possible choices to balance her ticket.
Harris’s allies stress her unwavering loyalty to Biden, and any discussions about her potential candidacy are conducted independently of her. The vice president continues to support Biden publicly, emphasizing his leadership and achievements while avoiding any actions that could be perceived as disloyal.
Historically, vice presidents like Gerald Ford and Al Gore have navigated similar challenges, balancing loyalty to embattled presidents with their own ambitions. Ford’s loyalty led to his controversial pardon of Nixon, while Gore’s support for Clinton amidst scandal may have impacted his own presidential campaign.
Harris’s political future remains closely tied to Biden’s decisions. Without a well-established national political organization of her own, she would likely inherit the Biden-Harris campaign infrastructure if she were to step up. For now, she continues to campaign for Biden, delivering his message and awaiting the potential shift from vice president to presidential candidate.
