after criticism of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris says she is “ready to serve” her country – Libération

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In an interview with the “Wall Street Journal”, the American vice-president assured that she was fully capable of leading the country, at a time when Joe Biden’s old age is increasingly debated.

“I am ready to serve my country. There’s no doubt about it.” In a interview published this Monday, February 12 in the Wall Street Journal, Kamala Harris wanted to respond to criticism of her political skills, while concerns around Joe Biden’s age are increasing. “May all those who [me] see it at work, leave fully aware of my ability to lead,” assured the 59-year-old Democrat.

The interview, specifies the American daily, was carried out two days before the publication, Thursday, February 8, of a report pointing out the failing memory of the American president, aged 81. Mandated by the Department of Justice, special prosecutor Robert Hur was tasked with investigating the presence of confidential documents in a former office of Joe Biden. If the American prosecutor established in his conclusions that there was no reason to initiate criminal proceedings against the head of state, he also portrayed a man “old, well-intentioned and with a bad memory” .

A damning report

Words which shook the electoral campaign, nine months before the presidential election, which will be held in November. And which obviously did not please Kamala Harris. The day after the publication of the report, the vice-president defended Joe Biden and denounced the “political motivations” of the prosecutor – Republican – while praising the work of the president. “I mean well, I’m an old man and I know what I’m doing, damn it,” the head of state said.

Despite his defense, the Democrat’s age seems to be his main handicap, while many voters doubt his ability to assume a second term. Kamala Harris, for her part, has taken on “increasingly important public responsibilities” in recent months, the Wall Street Journal recalled on Monday. The vice-president – ​​who, like any American vice-president, has a rather discreet role – notably embarked on a tour of the United States to defend the right to abortion, and played a more important role in the management of the situation in Gaza.

According to the American Constitution, the vice president takes the place of the president if the latter dies, or finds himself unable to assume his functions. But if Kamala Harris says she is “ready” to take the reins of the country, there is no proof that she would automatically become the candidate of the Democratic Party if Joe Biden were to leave the race before the election.