U.S. News
‘He is very much alive’: Kamala Harris rejects speculation about Biden’s health
By Jake Beardslee · October 30, 2023
In brief…
- Harris says Biden is "very much alive" and will run in 2024 despite doubts
- Dismisses hypotheticals about replacing Biden as "parlor games"
- Rep. Dean Phillips plans to challenge Biden in Democratic primaries
- Harris confident Biden will win reelection though admits it won't be easy
- Harris brushes off her own low approval ratings, focuses on "democracy on the line"
Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed that President Biden intends to run for re-election in 2024 during an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday.
When asked by journalist Bill Whitaker about speculation that Harris or other Democrats may challenge Biden if his health should decline, Harris dismissed the concerns as “hypothetical” and “parlor games.”
“First of all, I’m not going to engage in that hypothetical because Joe Biden is very much alive and running for re-election,” Harris stated.
Harris acknowledged that some Democratic donors have expressed doubts about backing Biden for a second term. Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips recently announced plans to challenge the president in the 2024 primaries, arguing it’s time to “pass the torch” to a new generation.
At 82 years old in 2024, Biden’s age and stamina remain recurring concerns among voters. However, Harris expressed full confidence in the president’s reelection bid.
“When the American people are able to take a close look at election time on their options, I think the choice is going to be clear,” she told Whitaker. “We’re going to win. Let me just tell you that we’re going to win. And I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but we will win.”
Harris herself continues to face low approval ratings, with only 41% of adults approving of her performance as vice president in recent polling. But she brushed off concerns about her popularity, saying she remains focused on her duties and democracy being “on the line.”
Despite rumblings within the party about finding a new 2024 standard-bearer, Harris made clear she believes President Biden will ultimately win a second term.