FACT CHECK: Kamala Harris Asserts Confidence in Her Leadership Abilities Amid Concerns About Biden’s Cognitive Health
Historically Unpopular Vice President Asserts Readiness to Serve
Claim: Vice President Kamala Harris confidently stated that there is “no question” about her ability to step up as president if Joe Biden, 81, is deemed unfit for office. The Wall Street Journal reports:
During a flight on Air Force Two, Vice President Kamala Harris was asked about voters’ concerns regarding President Biden’s age and whether she needs to convince them of her readiness to serve. Her response was direct and unwavering: “I am ready to serve. There’s no question about that,” Harris stated. She emphasized that anyone who witnesses her in action is fully aware of her leadership capabilities.
Context: In a groundbreaking report released last week, Special Counsel Robert Hur described Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory” who should not face charges for mishandling classified information due to his age and cognitive impairment.
Hur’s account of Biden’s mental challenges merely confirmed what most Americans have already witnessed. According to an ABC News poll earlier this year, only 28 percent of Americans believed Biden possessed the mental sharpness required to effectively serve as president.
The fact that someone officially acknowledged these concerns in writing caused panic among Democrats, as it reminded them that Biden’s vice president (Harris) is one of the most unpopular politicians in the country, and her promotion is not desired.
Analysis: There are numerous doubts about Harris’s readiness to assume the role of commander in chief. If this were not the case, she would likely be the Democratic nominee in 2024. It is far from true that everyone who observes Harris in action believes she would excel as president. In fact, many of her own staff members would prefer to work under someone else.
Less than six months after Harris took office, Politico reported that her office fostered an “abusive environment” where employees often felt mistreated. Former Harris staffers have described feeling terrified that “she could become the most powerful person on the planet.” Even a former aide who had positive things to say about Harris admitted that the stress levels among staff were so high that it affected their health.
Harris’s critics often refrain from publicly criticizing her due to fear of being labeled as racist or misogynistic. Last year, an anonymous House Democrat confided to a Politico reporter, after turning off the recording device, that Harris is not fit to be president. Another suggested that no white Democratic lawmaker would express concerns on the record.
Even those whose job is to publicly support Harris often struggle to do so convincingly. During an October 2023 interview with the Atlantic, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients “chuckled uncomfortably” when asked about his confidence in Harris’s ability to serve as president. He also had difficulty recalling a moment when Biden relied on Harris for guidance. Zients promised to follow up with an example after the interview but failed to do so.
At the very least, one could argue that Joe Biden is confident in Harris’s ability to serve as president, as he often appears to believe that “President Harris” has been running the country for several years. However, the American people tend to side with Harris’s critics. According to an NBC News poll released in January, only 28 percent of registered voters had a favorable opinion of the vice president. Harris also faced a humiliating fact check last August after falsely claiming to have great approval ratings.
Verdict: We rate this claim 4 Flaming Clintons.
How do concerns about her leadership abilities and policy failures contribute to the overall perception that Kamala Harris is not prepared to assume the role of commander in chief
_blank” rel=”noopener”>told Politico that Harris was “overrated” and “not ready for prime time.” The individual attributed Harris’s rise to her race and gender rather than her qualifications or abilities.
It is important to note that Harris’s lack of popularity and doubts about her readiness for the presidency are not solely based on her personality or leadership style. There are also substantive policy concerns that contribute to the skepticism surrounding her ability to lead.
One of the most significant policy failures associated with Harris is her mishandling of the border crisis. Since being appointed as the point person on the issue by Biden, Harris has shown a concerning lack of engagement and leadership. Her reluctance to visit the border and address the crisis head-on has raised questions about her commitment to effectively handling the situation.
Furthermore, Harris has demonstrated a pattern of flip-flopping on important issues, which undermines her credibility and raises doubts about her ability to make sound decisions. For example, during the Democratic primary, she advocated for the elimination of private health insurance, only to backtrack and claim she misunderstood the question. This inconsistency calls into question her judgment and reliability.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s claim of being ready to serve as president is met with skepticism and doubt. Her lack of popularity, concerns about her leadership abilities, and policy failures all contribute to the overall perception that she is not prepared to assume the role of commander in chief. As the American people continue to witness Biden’s mental decline, the question of Harris’s readiness becomes even more significant. It is crucial for voters to carefully consider these factors when evaluating Harris’s ability to effectively lead the country.
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