President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Kamala Harris will have to “forge her own path” if she wins in November, as the vice president has faced criticism for not distancing himself enough from Biden despite his unpopularity following her ascent to the top of the top. Democratic ticket.
In a speech at the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee’s fall dinner, Biden spoke about his own transition from vice president under President Barack Obama to his election as president in November 2020.
“Every president must forge his own path,” Biden said. “That’s what I did. I was loyal to Barack Obama, but I chose my own path as president. That’s what Kamala will do. She’s been loyal so far, but she’s going to follow her own path.”
President Biden in Pennsylvania: ‘Every president must follow his own path. That’s what I did. I was loyal to Barack Obama, but I chose my own path as president. That’s what Kamala will do. She’s been loyal so far, but she’s going to follow her own path.” pic.twitter.com/dQ08z0qFqY
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) October 15, 2024
Harris has come under scrutiny for not drawing enough contrast between herself and Biden since becoming the Democratic nominee. Biden endorsed Harris after withdrawing from the race following his poor performance in the June debate against former President Donald Trump, raising questions about his suitability for another term.
Trump has tried to tie Harris to Biden in an effort to capitalize on Biden’s unpopularity, as evidenced by public polling. Biden’s approval rating currently stands at just over 40%, according to an average of polls compiled by FiveThirtyEight.
At a campaign rally on Saturday in Southern California, Trump highlighted some of Harris’ recent comments from ABC’s “The View.”
“Would you have done anything differently than President Biden over the past four years?” co-host Sunny Hostin asked Harris.
“There’s nothing that comes to mind,” the vice president replied. “I have participated in most of the decisions that have had an impact,” citing the example of the administration’s achievement in lowering the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients.
“What a stupid answer,” Trump said at his rally. “It disqualifies her from running.”
Voters seem eager to see some daylight between Biden and Harris. An ABC News and Ipsos poll released last week found that 74% of respondents want Harris to take a new direction if she becomes president.
Her campaign has been working to refine its message about how a potential Harris administration would look different from Biden’s as Election Day approaches, according to NBC News.
During his speech in Pennsylvania, Biden chose to draw a contrast between Harris and Trump, saying the Democrat will steer the country “in its own direction” and offer a “fresh and new” approach to how to tackle the challenges that the US faces can be addressed.
“Donald Trump’s perspective is old and failed and, quite frankly, completely dishonest,” Biden said.
