OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
There is a ton of tension between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and now it is starting to become visible.
When Biden held his signing of the bipartisan infrastructure deal on Monday the announcer appeared to skip over Harris’ when she was set to talk, Yahoo News reported.
“Harris appeared to be passed over at the White House signing ceremony, with the event announcer introducing union political activist Heather Kurtenbach as the vice president stood at the podium,” Yahoo said.
“Please welcome Heather Kurtenbach,” the announcer said as Harris stood at the podium.
“In a moment,” Harris said with her trademark laugh. “Please have a seat.”
Announcer: “Please welcome Heather Kurtenbach”
Kamala Harris: “In a moment.” pic.twitter.com/oLo2R4NArY
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) November 15, 2021
It was a mistake but it happened on the same week that CNN reported on the shade war between Biden and Harris and it was a metaphor for the dissension.
“Kamala’s tenure is tracking Veep so closely it’s almost unsettling,” journalist Mark Hemmingway said.
Kamala’s tenure is tracking Veep so closely it’s almost unsettling. https://t.co/v7O4fo3cmW
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) November 15, 2021
“Omg she Kendall Roy’d the stage,” Raheem Kassam said, a reference to a character on the HBO show “Succession.”
Omg she Kendall Roy’d the stage 🤣 https://t.co/mMQkM73PhB
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) November 15, 2021
“Man alive Kamala can’t catch a break,” Republican communicator Matt Whitlock said.
Man alive Kamala can't catch a break. https://t.co/0c9DHVApCn
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) November 15, 2021
“From the very start you welcomed Democrats, independents and Republicans to meet with us in the Oval Office,” the vice president said, working to present a united front. “You welcomed ideas. You welcomed debate, all in the service of getting this bill done.”
“And here is what I know to be true, Mr. President, you are equal parts believer and builder’” she said. “And because you are, we are all better off. On behalf of our nation, thank you, Mr. President.
And White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki sent a tweet insisting that Harris was a “vital partner” to Biden.
“For anyone who needs to hear it. @VPis not only a vital partner to @POTUS but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country—from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband,” she said.
For anyone who needs to hear it. @VP is not only a vital partner to @POTUS but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country—from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) November 15, 2021
But sources have said that things are not as bright and sunny as the White House wants people to believe.
An explosive new report from CNN, titled, “Exasperation and dysfunction: Inside Kamala Harris’ frustrating start as vice president,” reveals that there certainly appears to be a major “shade war” between Biden and Harris.
The report alleges that Harris’ allies are accusing the Biden administration of being racist for not doing more to defend Harris publicly as her poll numbers sink.
“Many in the vice president’s circle fume that she’s not being adequately prepared or positioned, and instead is being sidelined,” CNN reported. “The vice president herself has told several confidants she feels constrained in what she’s able to do politically.”
CNN’s report claims Biden allies in the administration have avoided dealing with Harris because they see “entrenched dysfunction and lack of focus” from her.
“She’s perceived to be in such a weak position that top Democrats in and outside of Washington have begun to speculate privately, asking each other why the White House has allowed her to become so hobbled in the public consciousness, at least as they see it,” the report said. “Republicans and right-wing media turned Harris into a political target from the moment she was picked for the ticket. And implicit racism and sexism have been constant.”
CNN’s report also alleges that sources said that Harris’ staff has failed her.
“When Biden picked Harris as his running mate, he was essentially anointing her as the future of the Democratic Party,” the report said. “Now many of those close to her feel like he’s shirking his political duties to promote her, and essentially setting her up to fail. Her fans are panicked, watching her poll numbers sink even lower than Biden’s, worrying that even the base Democratic vote is starting to give up on her.”
