White House Calls VP Harris ‘A Bold Leader’ Amid Media Criticism

The White House was moved to praise Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday night after leading media outlets falsely portrayed a “VP struggling to make her mark” despite a successful first trip to Europe.

“For anyone who needs to hear it,” tweeted White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, Vice President Harris “is not only a vital partner to [Joe Biden] but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country – from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband.”

On Friday, as VP Harris wrapped up a visit to France, the New York Times said: “Ten months into her vice-presidency, Ms. Harris’s track record on delivering on the administration’s global priorities has been mixed.” Célia Belin, of the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, told the paper: “I think she’s been really hidden this whole time and out of the sight of most Europeans. I think she’s been quite under the radar.” Then, late on Sunday, CNN published a lengthy report headlined: “Exasperation and dysfunction: Inside Kamala Harris’ frustrating start as vice-president.”

For anyone who needs to hear it. @VP is not only a vital partner to @POTUS but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country—from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband.

— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) November 15, 2021

That report at least contained supportive voices, including the White House Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, who said Harris was “off to the fastest and strongest start of any Vice President I have seen”.

This is a historic day for the country.

Over the past several months, the @VP worked with @POTUS, Congress, and traveled the country to help pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.

Here's a snapshot of some of those efforts: (1/3) pic.twitter.com/2Tsq0sXwyY

— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) November 6, 2021

CNN said Klain emphasized VP Harris’s work on Covid vaccine equity and foreign policy and said: “Anyone who has the honor of working closely with the vice-president knows how her talents and determination have made a big difference.”

It's great that the world is getting to see what we see in the WH every day: @VP is an incredible leader and representative of our country.

https://t.co/QWZ8RnBXp3

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— Ronald Klain (@WHCOS) November 12, 2021

There is also the speculation surrounding 2024 and whether or not President Joe Biden will live up to his campaign promise to only serve one term. Some political experts suggest Pete Buttigieg might be a challenger to a potential Kamala Harris presidential run.

The written hit piece on @CNN today on @VP Kamala Harris – sent to millions – was racist and misogynistic and if you allow it to go unchecked you are failing her, President Biden and this country at a time when Trump and Republicans are trying to burn this country to the ground.

— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) November 15, 2021

Former Connecticut senator Chris Dodd, a close Biden ally, said: “I’m hoping the President runs for re-election, but for whatever reason that might not be the case, it’s hard to believe there would be a short list without Kamala’s name on it. She’s the vice-president of the United States.”