Question: Does Joe Biden Want to Get Rid of Kamala Harris? – The Los Angeles Times, a newspaper with a center-left editorial stance, has published letters speculating whether President Joe Biden will reshuffle Kamala Harris to another role.
It comes after the paper’s seasoned political columnist George Skelton suggested that Biden replace Harris and offer her a path back to California, where she could potentially take the seat of Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Skelton claims Harris’s association could be hampering Biden’s chances at a second term.
He articulated, “Biden’s problem is Harris. She’s a burden — a drag on his reelection prospects.”
Kamala Harris: Replacing Feinstein?
One letter responding to Skelton suggests an alternative solution to the proposal by George Skelton, a columnist, to have President Biden convince Senator Dianne Feinstein to resign so that Vice President Kamala Harris can fill her seat.
The letter proposes that Attorney General Merrick Garland resign, allowing Biden to appoint Kamala Harris, a former California attorney general, as his replacement.
Then, Biden could ask Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to be his vice president.
The writer argues that this plan benefits Harris, allowing her more time to improve her chances of being elected to the White House.
Additionally, it suggests that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, now a Michigan resident, could run for governor, bolstering his future presidential potential.
The second letter criticizes the idea of Senator Feinstein retiring early and being replaced by Harris, suggesting it would be a disaster for Democrats.
The writer points out that under the 25th Amendment, Harris’s replacement for vice president would need confirmation by a majority vote of Congress, including the GOP-controlled House.
The writer believes that Republicans would not confirm a politically popular replacement and could even choose not to confirm anyone, potentially putting Speaker Kevin McCarthy in line for the presidency.
The third letter slammed Skelton’s assertions about President Biden and Senator Feinstein, arguing that not all Democrats see Harris as a burden and that having a woman of color on the ballot attracts voters from all parties.
The writer also mentions that Feinstein is not running for reelection after serving over 30 years and suggests that Skelton’s claims are unfounded.
Could Biden choose a new running mate?
Furthermore, recent polling has concluded that Harris is less than popular with the general public.
Amid the talk about the Vice President’s future, The 19th’s editor-at-large Errin Haines recently addressed speculation that Harris could be displaced from her position as Biden’s running mate.
Many organizers and strategists believe that removing the first Black woman to serve as vice president would be political suicide for Democrats and could demoralize the party’s base.
Her approval rating is similar to Biden’s, and a significant percentage of Black voters support her.
Haines claims that representation in leadership roles is required to address unconscious bias. It suggests that speculation about replacing Harris could have widespread consequences and may not sit well with Black voters, particularly Black female voters.
Author Expertise
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
From the Vault
Donald Trump May Have a New Problem: Melania Trump
Barack Obama Scolds Americans for Offering ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ During Maui Tragedy
Donald Trump Keeps Making ‘Chilling’ Threats That Could Land Him in Jail
