Staff ReportsAt this point in time, one might question the wisdom of liberal aphorisms like “time heals all wounds.” A recent display of frostiness between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris suggests that five months isn’t nearly enough time to mend the rift caused by a botched campaign maneuver that sent Biden packing without ever winning a primary vote. The political tension was palpable at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors, where one couldn’t help but notice that the two leaders could hardly stand to look at one another.
The gala, which had its fair share of star power, honoring the likes of Francis Ford Coppola and the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, quickly turned into a masterclass in political awkwardness. Seated next to each other, the Bidens and Harrises managed not a single semblance of camaraderie. It was downright comical; in fact, the two couples could scarcely bring themselves to make eye contact. Given such a grand event, one would think the two would at least fake a smile, but apparently, that was too ambitious.
Why the icy reception? It comes as no shock that the Democratic Party isn’t exactly a model of unity at the moment. Biden’s team has been vocal about their grievances, laying the blame squarely on Harris and her allies, particularly those connected to the Obama administration. After a disastrous July debate where Biden’s cognitive abilities left much to be desired, it became painfully clear why he is no longer on a ticket—it was a lackluster exit, not unlike a slow car crash.
On the other hand, Harris is singing her own tune, suggesting that Biden should have dropped out earlier. Given that Biden’s approval ratings were sinking faster than a lead weight, she might have a fair point. But both parties are a bit like two ships passing in the night, each claiming to have the better course while blissfully ignoring their own shortcomings. Biden should have known better than to plunge into another grueling election cycle, especially when he seemed to be struggling even with basic conversations.
Joe and Jill Won't Make Eye Contact With Kamala As She Stands 2 Feet Away From Them https://t.co/S8flWtPgGj The Zuckerberg Report RSS
— Eric Martin (@ZuckerbergRpt) December 11, 2024
As if that’s not rich enough, Harris pretended that she could win without Biden’s backing. However, her campaigning style left much to be desired. One can hardly forget her incredible ability to mismanage her campaign finances and momentum back in 2020—she had to throw in the towel before the primaries even started. If her pitch was merely an offshoot of Biden’s message, then what was her unique selling point?
With both Democrats caught in their own web of delusions, it is clear that the healing process will be more like watching a car wreck than a heartwarming reunion. Democrats rarely admit when they are wrong, so the icy façade between Biden and Harris is likely to persist for a long time, leaving liberal hopes frozen in time, much like the expression on their faces at that gala. Will they ever mend fences? Don’t hold your breath—after all, they’ve got both winter and a lengthy campaign season ahead of them.
