By calling Trump supporters “garbage,” U.S. President Joe Biden not only offered Republicans a free shot at goal, but also Kamala Harris. She missed her shot.
For Kamala Harris, it was a major appearance and probably the strongest speech of her election campaign. Unlike Donald Trump, who brands those with different political views as enemies, she will offer them “a seat at the table,” she said on Tuesday evening, against the backdrop of the White House.
It was an authoritative message that was immediately undermined by President Joe Biden, who felt compelled to respond to a statement made by a pro-Trump comedian during a performance in New York that weekend. This individual had described Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage.” Biden said he didn’t agree, before beginning to speak in a manner lacking coherence. Unfortunately, Biden’s subsequent statement gave the impression that he had described all Trump supporters as garbage.
A Free Shot at Goal for Harris, Too
Biden didn’t mean it that way, and anyone who reads the quote with a certain magnanimity will come to the same conclusion. But the Republicans haven’t done so. They are outraged by Biden’s statement.
The situation also gave Harris a free shot at goal, but she was slow to react and tentative in her approach. When asked about Biden’s statement, a whole day later she said that she considered “criticism of people based on who they vote for” to be completely wrong. This is the position she has advocated throughout her entire career. She is not clearly contradicting Biden, let alone fully distancing herself from him. Party discipline prevails, and that is unfortunately typical.
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