Kamala Harris keeps declining Joe Biden’s requests to campaign for her, claims report

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden is making a concerted effort to get on the campaign trail for Vice President Kamala Harris in the last critical weeks of the 2024 election, yet sources reveal Harris’ team continues to defer his offers, Axios reported.

While Biden’s enthusiasm to campaign for Harris seems unwavering, he reportedly keeps receiving responses that she’ll “get back to him", adding to the mystery around why the two haven’t teamed up for any significant joint events so far.

Is Joe Biden getting snubbed by Kamala Harris' team for campaign appearances?

“He’s a reminder of the last four years, not the new way forward,” an insider explained to Axios, hinting at possible concerns within Kamala Harris' campaign that Joe Biden’s presence might overshadow her message or even hinder her appeal to undecided voters.

Despite Biden's solo appearances at major events like the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee Autumn Dinner on October 15 and his stops in New Hampshire and Pittsburgh, there’s been a notable absence of coordination between the two.

Harris’ campaign team was even reportedly taken by surprise when Biden made a solo appearance in Pittsburgh, sparking speculation about possible tension.

The report is particularly striking considering Biden’s recent significant support for Harris, endorsing her swiftly after his own exit from the race.

This endorsement allowed Harris to secure the Democratic nomination with little opposition, showing Biden’s early dedication to her success.

Addressing the report, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates responded by downplaying the alleged tension.

“We are in close touch with the campaign to determine when, where, and how the president can be helpful,” Bates said, in a statement aiming to dispel rumors of any discord between the two camps.

Still, Harris’ absence from Biden’s side on the campaign trail raises questions, especially when other prominent Democrats, such as former president Barack Obama, have been taking center stage in recent campaign efforts.

Kamala Harris’ team working to establish her image apart from Joe Biden’s

Kamala Harris has often publicly praised Joe Biden, focusing on his accomplishments while carefully avoiding any critique—a courtesy traditionally afforded to sitting presidents by their vice presidents.

Speaking with NBC News, Harris upheld this practice, remarking, “To be very candid with you, even including Mike Pence, vice presidents are not critical of their presidents.”

Nonetheless, Harris has made subtle distinctions, suggesting she would bring her own approach if elected.

In a recent interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Harris declared, “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency,” a remark that hints at a desire to carve out her own identity in the Democratic sphere, separate from Biden's legacy.

Further, Harris has been steadfast in defending Biden on various matters, including his age and mental fitness, both of which have been points of attack from the Republican Party.

She has attempted to present Biden’s tenure positively, emphasizing areas like economic recovery, even as Republicans criticize the administration’s handling of issues like inflation.

In Republican ad campaigns, Harris has often been painted as an extension of Biden, with negative implications, suggesting that she would continue policies they consider unfavorable.

Despite these efforts to tie her to Biden’s perceived flaws, Harris has attempted to clarify her distinctions in leadership, indicating that her administration would address issues with a fresh perspective.

In interviews, she has expressed loyalty and gratitude toward Biden, who helped lift her 2020 campaign after it faced significant setbacks.

However, insiders suggest that Harris’ team is working to establish her image as quite different from Biden’s as she pursues the presidency.