The Wall Street Journal recently revealed that Vice President Kamala Harris stated that she is “undoubtedly ready to serve” as president, sparking discussions about her potential to take over from U.S. President Joe Biden. This comes in the wake of a special counsel report that described Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.”
Harris made the statement on February 6 while briefing reporters on her priorities for running with Biden. Speculation about her ability to take over as president has been escalating as the outside world pays close attention to whether she can step in as needed.
The report on Biden’s mishandling of classified documents and the special counsel’s description of him has raised concerns about his suitability to continue leading the country. This has led to questions about whether Harris would be able to effectively take over if needed.
As the first female vice president in U.S. history, Harris has faced doubts about her political ability since taking office. However, she has taken on increasing public responsibilities in recent months, including becoming the administration’s leading ambassador on abortion rights and taking a higher-profile role in the U.S.’s response to Gaza.
Despite the speculation, the Democratic Party has not seriously discussed the option of replacing Biden in the presidential race. And even if Biden were to withdraw from the election, Harris would still need to obtain enough votes to officially obtain the Democratic nomination in August this year.
Harris’ allies in the party have emphasized her unique value and her ability to attract more young, liberal, and minority voters. However, there are concerns within the Democratic Party about the potential for Harris to drag down Biden’s election, with some worried that voters will hold her to a more stringent standard due to her Indian and Jamaican descent.
As the discussions about Harris’ potential continue, the Democratic Party is facing a crucial period in the lead-up to the election, with the role of both Biden and Harris under intense scrutiny.
At the same time, there is also growing attention on the possibility of further attacks on Harris by the Republican Party, particularly in light of the special counsel’s report. With the release of the report, Harris is likely to become an even more targeted figure in the political landscape.
It remains to be seen how Harris’ role will continue to evolve and how she will navigate the challenges and opportunities in the lead-up to the election.