Kamala Harris sparks fury as she claims she’s following ‘tradition’ of VPs not criticizing their president

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris sparked significant controversy during a campaign stop in Michigan on Friday when she defended her reluctance to publicly disagree with President Joe Biden.

Citing a long-standing "tradition" of vice presidents refraining from criticizing their presidents, Harris’s comments ignited a firestorm of critical reactions across social media, as reported by The Hill.

Kamala Harris defends her reluctance to publicly disagree with President Joe Biden

“I mean to be very candid with you; including Mike Pence, vice presidents are not critical of their presidents,” Kamala Harris explained during an interview with NBC’s Peter Alexander. “I think that really, actually, in terms of the tradition of it, and also just going forward, it does not make for a productive and important relationship.”

Harris’s comments come at a time when the 2024 election cycle looms large, and as she is working to secure another term in office.

As vice president, Harris has been careful to strike a delicate balance between supporting Biden’s policies and offering a vision for the future.

Throughout US history, vice presidents have often walked a fine line between loyalty to the sitting president and defining their own identity in politics.

While Harris invoked the precedent followed by former Vice President Mike Pence, it is important to point out that Pence, despite his loyalty to Donald Trump, did eventually break with him on key issues during the 2022 GOP primary campaign.

This included their disagreement over the 2021 Capitol riot when Pence refused to support Trump's efforts to overturn the election results.

Harris’s acknowledgment that she would govern differently from Biden, citing her own life experiences and policy proposals, also added fuel to the debate.

Among her highlighted policy initiatives are expanded Medicare coverage for home care, increased assistance for first-time homebuyers, and more aid for small businesses.

“Those are the experiences and the ideas that I have that are about moving forward and really being a part of the next generation of leadership in America,” Harris stated, presenting herself as a forward-looking candidate with new ideas to address the nation's challenges.

In recent weeks, both Biden and Harris have been clear in signaling that while Harris is loyal to Biden’s policies, she would take the country in a different direction should she ascend to the presidency.

During a campaign speech earlier this week, Biden openly acknowledged that Harris would lead differently.

“Folks, Kamala will take the country in her own direction. And that’s one of the most important differences in this election,” Biden said on Tuesday. “Kamala’s perspective on our problems will be fresh and new. Donald Trump’s perspective is old and failed and, quite frankly, thoroughly, totally dishonest.”

Kamala Harris sparks backlash online with her reluctance to criticize Joe Biden

As news of Kamala Harris’s remarks spread, social media erupted with criticism, particularly regarding her defense of the tradition of vice presidents refraining from publicly criticizing their presidents.

One person remarked, "She looked it on Trump and she lies all the time about him. She had to sit through the straight face and say she isn’t that ridiculous. She lies all the time about things."

Another said, "Then were to assume she’s down for more of the same inept leadership." "Kamala does nothing but lie," wrote one person.

Another added, "She's a failure just like biden is. Second chapter of the same book. The American nightmare." One individual wrote, "Campaigning on change while refusing to criticize anything currently happening certainly is one strategy."

Another pointed out, "Very Polite Or, she’s just unfit and has no follow up for what she’d do differently." One netizen remarked, "How convenient."

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