Joe Biden sees Kamala Harris’ potential victory as a crucial part of his presidential legacy, even though he plays a minimal role in her campaign in the final days of a tight race. As Biden heads to Arizona, a swing state, he will offer a historic apology to the Gila River Indian Community for the U.S. government’s role in Native American boarding schools.
Despite the importance of these final trips in solidifying his legacy, Biden finds himself on the periphery of Harris’ campaign, with her taking center stage. While Biden’s events may be overshadowed by Harris, Donald Trump, and others, aides close to him understand the strategic decision by the Harris campaign to keep him at a distance to focus on her message of a “new way forward.”
Harris has made efforts to run on her own ideas and forward-looking message, but has struggled to separate herself from Biden. She has centered her closing message on the threat Trump poses to democracy, aligning with Biden’s concerns. However, there are no plans for them to campaign together before the election, highlighting the shift in focus towards Harris as the face of the campaign.
Biden has shown support for Harris and acknowledged her need to carve her own political path. While he has praised her and referenced her in his speeches, he has largely focused on official events showcasing administration accomplishments. Despite some efforts to help shore up Harris’ weaknesses, Biden’s impact on the campaign may be limited at this point.
In contrast to Harris’ campaign sidelining Biden, she has also faced challenges in differentiating herself from him. Research shows that Harris’ reluctance to distinguish herself from Biden has had a negative impact on her campaign. White House aides are aware of the potential impact of a Republican win on Biden’s legacy and are resigned to his minor role in the final days of the campaign.
Biden and his aides have accepted the change at the top of the ticket, but still believe in his potential to rebound from setbacks earlier in the campaign. While Biden may play a smaller role in the final stretch, his willingness to support Harris and the Democratic agenda remains strong.
The dynamics between Biden and Harris in the final days of the campaign reflect the complexities of a presidential race and the strategic decisions made to secure a victory. As the election draws near, the focus remains on the future and the potential impact of a Harris presidency on Biden’s legacy.
