Vice President Kamala Harris defended President Joe Biden after what many viewed as a disastrous debate performance during a combative interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
Biden, who has faced concerns about his age, faced a wave of criticism following his debate performance against former President Donald Trump Thursday night, as viewers noted he sounded hoarse and that he lacked energy throughout the night. A Biden aide told Newsweek late Thursday night that the president was battling a cold during the debate. However, he faced calls for his replacement from some Democrats.
In an interview after the debate, Harris sparred with Cooper about Biden's performance. While she agreed that the president had a "slow start," she defended Biden's record as president.
"What we saw tonight was the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all the issues that matter to the American people. Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish," Harris said. "What became very clear over the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people on substance, on policy, on performance."
Cooper pushed back, arguing that Biden's performance was "clearly disappointing" for his supporters. Harris responded that people can disagree about style, but that the election must be about "substance."
Cooper then said that Biden was a "very different person on the stage" in 2020.
"I get the point that you're making about a 1 1/2-hour debate tonight. I'm talking about 3 1/2 years of performance in work that has been historic," she said.
Harris praised Biden for his work negotiating a bipartisan infrastructure deal and meeting with military and intelligence leaders. She said he convenes with world leaders, "who often ask for his advice."
"I'm not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I've been watching the last 3 1/2 years of performance," she said.
CNN anchor Abby Phillips said Harris shined during the interview. "She clearly understood the moment, the challenge. She needed to defend the president. But she needed to defend herself, as well. One of the things people always want to see more from her is her personality, a little bit more fire, a little bit more quickness in responding even to things that are challenging. She showed that tonight," Phillips said.
CNN Chief National Correspondent John King said, "one of the greatest acts of political malpractice" is that Democrats have kept Harris "under wraps."
"She has appeal with the pieces of the Biden coalition where he is hurting the most. When you go into inner-city Milwaukee, what do Black Americans say? Where's the vice president? Where has she been?" he said, adding that she is a "feisty communicator" and "good on television."
"In a close competitive race when you need all hands-on deck, that is an asset that should have been working for him from Day One," he said.
CNN reported that there is "deep panic" throughout the Democratic Party after the debate.
Phillips said the "panic" she was witnessing from members in the Democratic Party "is not like anything that I have heard in this campaign so far."
Update 6/28/2024 12:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
