Pelosi Comments Reflect Increasing Doubts In Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing increased doubt from members of the Democratic Party about her value to the White House or the party’s 2024 ticket, including from one prominent congressional leader. While neither she nor President Joe Biden have discussed any changes from their 2020 ticket, both have faced calls to not run again.

Should Biden choose to replace Harris, there would be only so much time to make a shift.

The speculation followed a series of comments made earlier this week by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her office about her former congressional colleague.

When asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper about whether Harris should remain on the 2024 ballot as Biden’s best option, Pelosi at first chuckled.

She added that the president “thinks so. And that’s what matters.”

“Her values are consistent with the president’s values. Why would she be vice president if she were not?” Pelosi said.

When further asked on the subject, Pelosi criticized those who believe that Harris isn’t “doing this or that.”

After the interview, Pelosi’s office said that she “as always, heaped praise” on Harris, calling her “values-based, politically astute and represents our country very well at home and abroad.”

Harris’ electoral history has been weak, even in Democratic Party-dominated California. In her first statewide race, Harris won the 2010 contest for California Attorney General by less than a percent, even as Democrats won each other statewide office with far larger victories.

She also mounted a brief campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination, dropping out after a poor showing. During her time campaigning she sharply criticized Biden.

She also rates low on the RealClearPolitics polling average of favorability ratings among major political leaders.

The consideration also follows further discussion regarding whether Biden himself will appear on the ballot. Biden, 80, is already the oldest president in American history.

The president has asserted that he is running for reelection in 2024.

When asked if there was any chance that Biden would not run, Pelosi said “I hope not, I hope not.”