President Joe Biden is reportedly experiencing feelings of being “left behind” as he witnesses his fellow Democrats rallying around their new presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, in the battle against Donald Trump. Biden, aged 81, took the monumental decision to withdraw from the 2024 race in July after facing significant pressure from within his own party following a lacklustre debate performance against Trump in June.
Having swiftly endorsed Vice President Harris, who subsequently secured the nomination uncontested, the dynamics of the race were revitalised, leaving Biden feeling somewhat neglected by a party he has dedicated over five decades to serving, as per insiders speaking to NBC News. Despite his achievements in the White House, Biden is said to feel that they are now being overshadowed, resulting in him grappling with a mix of complex emotions about the unfolding events of the summer.
Within his circle, there is a sense that Harris is now deliberately distancing herself from Biden, with reports indicating that she no longer mentions his name in her campaign speeches. Although Biden understands the strategic rationale behind Harris’s actions and is wholeheartedly supportive of her bid to defeat Trump, he was reportedly hurt by a particular line uttered by Harris during her debate with Trump, where she emphasised offering a “new generation of leadership.”
In response to these reports, a White House spokesperson dismissed the claims as misinformed, maintaining that President Biden appreciates the positive responses the public has shown towards Vice President Harris’s leadership and the forward-looking policies being championed.
While there have been public displays of unity between Biden and Harris at recent events, including joint appearances at a Labor Day rally and the Congressional Black Caucus’ Phoenix Awards Dinner, it is evident that the spotlight is now firmly on Vice President Harris as the face of the campaign. Both leaders have collaborated on coordinating the federal response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has wreaked havoc in several southeastern states in recent days.
As the US presidential election draws nearer, the evolving dynamics between Biden and Harris continue to be closely observed, with tensions and complexities underlying their professional relationship coming to the fore.