Vice President Kamala Harris addressed concerns raised by donors regarding President Joe Biden’s age during an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes.
Bill Whitaker asked Harris about the skepticism among donors regarding her potential candidacy if President Biden, who is currently 80, doesn’t seek reelection.
Harris responded by expressing her lack of concern, emphasizing that Biden has every intention of running for reelection and is in good health.
“Well, first of all, I’m not going to engage in that hypothetical, because Joe Biden is very much alive and running for reelection,” Harris stated. “I hear from a lot of different people with various opinions. But let me just tell you, I’m focused on the job. I truly am.”
President Biden officially announced his candidacy for a second term in April 2023, assuring his supporters that he intends to complete his mission. However, concerns have arisen among both voters and donors about his age, as he would turn 86 at the end of a potential second term.
While President Biden has acknowledged the validity of these concerns, he has urged people to observe his performance to judge his capability.
“I think it’s a legitimate thing to be concerned about anyone’s age, including mine. I think that’s totally legitimate,” Biden said during a 2022 MSNBC interview. “I think the best way to make the judgment is to watch me. Am I slowing down? Am I maintaining the same pace?”
Vice President Harris echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that age should not be the determining factor in choosing a leader. She asserted that their focus should be on the job at hand, given the critical state of the nation.
“Our democracy is on the line, Bill. And I frankly, in my head, do not have time for political games when we have a president running for reelection,” Harris remarked. “When the American people have the opportunity to evaluate their options at election time, I believe the choice will be evident. Bill, we’re going to win.”
Despite Harris’s optimism, public opinion polls tell a different story. Whitaker noted that, according to Fox News, only 41% of adults approve of Harris’s performance as Vice President.
The Biden-Harris campaign may face challenges in the upcoming primaries, with Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) announcing his intention to challenge President Biden and urging the Democratic Party to “pass the torch” to a new generation of leaders.
