In the final days before the election, Vice President Harris appears reluctant to involve President Biden in her campaign efforts, stirring discussions on his potential influence on voter perceptions.
Axios reported that Harris' team is putting distance between Harris and President Biden amid concerns over his approval ratings. With the presidential election looming, President Biden has expressed a keen interest in supporting Harris' bid for the presidency but Harris doesn't want anything to do with Biden.
However, the reaction from Harris' campaign team has been notably tepid, with repeated responses of "We'll get back to you" to Biden's team when discussing potential campaign dates.
This hesitation has sparked a larger conversation within the Democratic party regarding Biden’s current political influence. With approval ratings hovering around 39%, there is growing concern that his involvement could do more harm than good for Harris' campaign.
Insiders suggest that Harris’ strategy involves positioning herself apart from the Biden administration, focusing on a campaign message of “a new direction,” divergent from Biden’s track record over the last four years.
Reports indicate that no joint campaign events between Biden and Harris are scheduled before Election Day. This move is seen by some as a strategic distancing by the Harris team to minimize Biden's visibility in her campaign.
Although part of Biden's former campaign staff is now with Harris, they believe she might be underestimating his potential appeal among key voter groups. Notably, Biden's performance among white, working-class voters in the Rust Belt during the 2020 election outperformed that of Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Recently, President Biden diverged from Harris' campaign trail, opting to hold solo events. His unplanned appearance in Pittsburgh was not coordinated with Harris' team, leading to some disarray within her campaign infrastructure.
Biden’s solo efforts included stops not listed on Harris' campaign itinerary, suggesting a potential strategic split in campaign tactics. Furthermore, his controversial remarks in New Hampshire concerning the arrest of Trump required subsequent clarifications and managed political backlash that reflected on his campaign.
Amidst these developments, Biden has contemplated supporting Democratic Senate candidates in Maryland and Delaware, a move that aligns with his intentions to bolster the party's standing albeit separate from Harris' direct campaign efforts.
The White House has attempted to quell rumors of discord. Spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized ongoing coordination between Biden and Harris' teams, despite contrary claims from inside sources.
"He's a reminder of the last four years, not the new way forward," a source close to the situation commented, highlighting the perceived need for a fresh leadership approach independent of Biden's legacy.
In contrast, White House officials maintain a different narrative. "We are in close touch with the campaign to determine when, where, and how the president can be helpful," a White House official stated, underscoring efforts to integrate Biden's campaign activities without undermining Harris' messaging.
This internal campaign strategy appears reflective of a broader dilemma within the Democratic party — how to best utilize Biden’s support in a way that benefits Harris without exacerbating her challenges in appealing to an electorate seeking change.
As Election Day approaches, the dynamics within the Democratic Party reflect a nuanced struggle between embracing the legacy of an incumbent president and the pursuit of distancing from it to capture the winds of change demanded by the electorate.
The unfolding strategy of Harris’ campaign, marked by a careful calibration of Biden's involvement, will be a critical factor to observe as voters head to the polls.
Moving forward, the effectiveness of this strategic distancing will inevitably be measured by the election outcomes and could set precedents for future intra-party relations during election campaigns.