Date: 2025-01-14 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00020214
The Biden Presidency
Biden style
Kamala Harris is constant on-camera presence for Biden
Peter Burgess
Kamala Harris is constant on-camera presence for Biden
When President Biden has delivered remarks or held photo ops during the first two weeks of his administration, Vice President Harris has been a consistent presence, always in the room if not right by his side.
The White House has painted a deliberate picture of a president and vice president in lockstep together.
When Biden has signed executive orders, spoken about the coronavirus pandemic or met with GOP senators on a relief package, Harris has been in the picture.
“Biden has said all along he wanted a partner in governing,” said one source close to Harris. “He knows firsthand how valuable that supporting role can be and how critical it is for the VP to be in the room, and being a key part of this administration is exactly what she signed up for. She’s not one to embrace a ceremonial role with a few pet issues.”
When White House aides speak about Biden and Harris, they will often throw in words about Harris being “a governing partner” and how both the president and vice president want to do the work “together.”
“The White House is clearly communicating the president values the VP and she is more of a deputy president than a leader with a discrete portfolio,” said Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons.
The choreography is also important because of the unique nature of Biden’s presidency.
The 78-year-old president is a white man born during FDR’s presidency who defeated a slew of progressive candidates to win the Democratic nomination. Harris, who dropped out of the primary before the Iowa caucuses, balances Biden, sending the signal that his administration is also about the present and future.
And the future could come soon for Harris. She is the natural heir apparent for Biden, who may not run for another term in 2024.
One source noted that there has been a concerted effort to play up Harris's role in the administration.
The administration frequently blasts out releases about the 'Biden-Harris agenda,' something that would have been unthinkable during the Trump-Pence years and that wasn't as prevalent even during the Obama-Biden years. From 2009 to 2016 it was the Obama presidency more than it was the Obama-Biden presidency, which only became a common phrase during the 2020 cycle.
Since taking office two weeks ago, Harris has joined Biden more than half a dozen times, including for remarks he’s delivered on health care, COVID-19 and racial equality. In addition to receiving the presidential daily briefing together, they have also carried on the tradition of having a weekly lunch together, something Biden and Obama did during that administration.
On Tuesday, Harris joined Biden in the Oval Office as he signed executive orders on immigration. A day earlier, they sat together in the same room, a fire crackling behind them, when they met with Republican senators to discuss a coronavirus relief package.
Simmons noted that Harris’s presence is much different from earlier administrations. “The odds are Kamala Harris is going to lead this party one day,” he said. “Every Democratic VP who's run for president since Humphrey has won the nomination.'
--------------------------------------------
Senate committee advances Granholm nomination to lead Energy ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT — 6M 18S AGO
Water infrastructure — the unmet needs of low-income communities OPINION — 9M 9S AGO
Capitol riot suspect gets court permission to take trip for 'retreat' to Mexico COURT BATTLES — 20M 12S AGO
Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie to guest host 'Jeopardy!' IN THE KNOW — 20M 24S AGO
Senate panel advances Biden's Commerce secretary pick in 21-3 vote TECHNOLOGY — 26M 26S AGO
Here are the GOP lawmakers censured by Republicans for impeaching Trump HOUSE — 27M 53S AGO
Country music singer Morgan Wallen faces backlash after video shows him using racial slur IN THE KNOW — 28M 21S AGO
3 National Guard members dead in Black Hawk crash in Idaho DEFENSE — 31M 13S AGO
Related News
Left-leaning group to track which companies hire former top Trump aides
UPDATED: McEnany, Fox News talks on pause
Blinken tells State Department staff 'I have your back'
Presidents Ranked By Their IQs by