Kamala Harris was in high spirits during her surprise appearance at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, though she made no mention of boss Joe Biden’s desperate interview earlier on Friday.
Harris congratulated the music festival – headlined by Usher and Janet Jackson – on its 30th anniversary after reacting to Beyoncé’s song ‘Freedom’.
“I just had to stop by to congratulate Essence on 30 years of Essence Festival of Culture. So enjoy this evening. Let us always celebrate the diversity, the depth and the beauty of our culture. Have fun tonight,” she said.
There was no mention of the disastrous eight days her boss had had, or of politics in general.
Harris will be in conversation with Essence CEO Caroline Wanga during the festival’s Global Black Economic Forum on Saturday.
Kamala Harris was in high spirits during a surprise appearance at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, though she made no mention of boss Joe Biden’s desperate interview earlier on Friday
There was no talk of the disastrous eight days her boss had, or of politics in general.
The visit comes after some called for President Joe Biden to be replaced on the Democratic presidential ticket following his debate with former President Donald Trump.
You can expect such in-depth dialogues during the event, covering a wide range of topics.
Harris was last seen with Biden on Thursday night when the two celebrated the Fourth of July on the South Lawn of the White House.
At one point, Harris grabbed Biden’s hand and held it high in the air. The two later embraced.
President Biden admitted he can’t remember rewatching the car crash debate with Donald Trump as he sat for one of the most critical interviews of his political career.
The 81-year-old again blamed his illness and fatigue for the meandering spectacle, despite the fact that he had been recovering at Camp David for seven days and his European trip had been over for 11 days before he took the debate stage.
A struggling Biden is fighting for survival in the 2024 campaign and is facing a mountain of calls to step aside.
He told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he was the only one to blame for last week’s disastrous primetime confrontation, which led to total panic in the Democratic Party.
Harris is expected to speak with Essence CEO Caroline Wanga during the Global Black Economic Forum on Saturday at the festival
Harris congratulated the music festival – headlined by Usher and Janet Jackson – on its 30th anniversary after coming out on Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’
Biden claimed that only God would stop him from dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
“If the Lord Almighty comes down, I could do that,” he told Stephanopoulos when asked what it would take for him to step down.
More and more Democrats are making this request openly.
But Biden remained unyielding during his 22-minute conversation with Stephanopoulos.
The ABC News host and former adviser to Bill Clinton asked Biden if he really believed that polls showing him losing to former President Donald Trump were wrong.
“I think — every pollster I talk to tells me it’s a toss-up, a toss-up,” Biden responded.
He then added, “I don’t believe that,” when Stephanopoulos cited polls showing him losing the popular vote — which he won overwhelmingly four years ago — to Trump this time around.
“I don’t think there’s anyone better qualified to be president or to win this race than me,” the president argued.
Stephanopoulos pointed out that Biden has said of Trump that the Republican is only serving his own interests by running for president, and he also pointed to recent criticism of Biden that he is doing the same by remaining at the top of the Democratic ticket.
“Come on, I don’t think these critics know what they’re talking about,” Biden responded. “They’re just wrong.”
Asked what Biden would do if Democratic leaders in Congress asked him to step aside, the president pointed out that he had already had discussions with Rep. Jim Clyburn — who saved his 2020 candidacy with an endorsement in South Carolina — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others.
“They all told me to stay in the race,” Biden said.
Stephanopoulos then asked what Biden would do if those leaders changed their positions.
“They’re not going to do that,” Biden said.
“Yes, I’m sure,” he added when questioned.
“Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty would come down and say, Joe, get out of the race, I’d get out of the race. The Lord Almighty ain’t coming down,” the president said.