President Joe Biden’s greatest gift to Kamala Harris may not be stepping aside and passing the torch to his vice president. It may be giving her a younger look.
According to one expert, Vice President Harris’ youth will be emphasized even more in the election campaign with President Biden.
Elizabeth Bomberg, Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh, said Newsweek“Harris’ strengths, her youth and energy, are particularly evident when she tours with the elder Biden and stands alongside him.”
Biden and Harris are expected to make their first joint campaign appearance since the president announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race under pressure from leading Democrats.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Biden and Harris will visit Maryland on Thursday to unveil new policies to reduce prescription drug costs.
The policy provides discounts from pharmaceutical companies on ten drugs used to treat blood clots, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Prescription drugs include Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and the insulins Fiasp and NovoLog.
“For years, millions of Americans have had to choose between paying for medicine and affording food while the pharmaceutical industry blocked Medicare from negotiating prices on behalf of seniors and the disabled,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “But we fought back – and won.”
Bomberg said Newsweek that Biden’s “tour alongside Harris will underscore the unity of the Democratic Party.”
Matt Kelle/AP
Before Biden withdrew from the race, the Democratic Party was embroiled in a civil war stemming from the incumbent president’s decision to stay in the race after his disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump.
“We can never predict how the public will react and the media coverage of this joint tour will play a big role,” said Bomberg.
“I would not expect the tour to hurt Harris in the polls. Biden is no longer the deeply unpopular figure he was when he ran for office; by withdrawing from the race, Biden has increased his standing and respect.
Harris, however, will not want to overstate the partnership between Biden and Harris. For the Harris team, the election message is: look to the future, new team, new energy, new strength. So a little bit of Biden will go a long way.”
Michael Frazer, a politics lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said Newsweek“A joint appearance by Biden and Harris will only remind these voters how grateful they are that Biden voluntarily dropped out of the race.”
Patrick Semansky
“The first joint appearance with President Biden is unlikely to affect Vice President Harris’ poll numbers,” Frazer continued. “Harris is already associated in voters’ minds with the strengths and weaknesses of the Biden administration. Before he dropped out of the race, voters were widely concerned about Biden’s declining cognitive and physical abilities, but the policies of the Biden-Harris administration have always been popular with about half of voters.
“These Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are now confident that (a possible) President Harris would implement similar policies without the risks posed by Biden’s age and health.”
Newsweek The Harris team has asked for comment via email.
Harris will visit North Carolina on Friday to promote her economic plans to curb inflation and lower the cost of living for the middle class.
The joint visit by Biden and Harris comes ahead of the Democratic Party Convention, which will be held in Chicago next week from August 19 to 22.
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