Former Vice President Kamala Harris has been revealed to have delivered a profane message to Democratic governors who were hesitant to publicly support Joe Biden during the 2024 presidential campaign, following his poor debate performance. The comment, unearthed in the book 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf, highlights the growing internal discord within the Democratic establishment as Biden’s campaign faced intense scrutiny.
Biden’s performance in the June 2024 presidential debate, his only major showdown with Trump, was widely criticized for showing signs of cognitive decline and fatigue, raising concerns among Democratic officials about his ability to win the election. The book claims that Biden’s aides had convinced him to hold the debate earlier than traditional, aiming to position him as a strong contender before major events like the Olympics and political conventions. However, the premature scheduling backfired, and Biden’s appearance was seen as a major blow to his campaign.
Harris’ sharp remarks, made at a White House meeting with governors on July 3, 2024, were part of an effort to salvage Biden’s flailing candidacy. Despite being a high-profile figure in the Democratic Party, Harris faced skepticism from many governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker, who were being considered as potential replacements for Biden. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s claim that all governors