smh.com.au
Harris Accuses Biden of Undermining Her Vice Presidency
In excerpts from her new book, Kamala Harris alleges that President Biden and his staff undermined her success as vice president, criticizing their handling of her foreign policy initiatives and their failure to support her during controversies, while also questioning the decision to let Biden run for reelection.
- What specific actions by President Biden and his staff allegedly undermined Vice President Harris' success?
- President Biden's staff fueled negative narratives about Harris' office, including claims of chaos and high turnover. They also allegedly failed to support her during controversies like her visit to France, letting negative media coverage overshadow her diplomatic achievements. Biden's limited mention of Harris in a key Oval Office speech further exemplifies this lack of support.
- What are the long-term implications of Harris' accusations and how might they affect the Democratic Party's future?
- Harris's accusations reveal potential internal conflicts and communication breakdowns within the Biden administration. This could damage the party's unity and influence future candidate selections and campaign strategies. The lack of decisive action regarding Biden's reelection campaign raises questions about the Democrats' preparedness for future elections and their handling of leadership transitions.
- How did the White House's actions regarding Harris affect the perception of her performance and broader political dynamics?
- The White House's perceived lack of support for Harris created a narrative of her struggles, potentially impacting her public image and electability. This zero-sum approach, where her success was viewed as diminishing Biden's, hindered the Democrats' overall political standing, especially given concerns about Biden's age and fitness for office.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a narrative that emphasizes Kamala Harris's criticisms of Joe Biden and his administration. The headline and introduction immediately highlight Harris's accusations, framing the piece around her perspective. While it presents both sides, the detailed account of Harris's grievances and her quotes are given more prominence, potentially shaping reader perception to sympathize with her viewpoint.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but there are instances where the choice of words subtly influences the reader. For example, describing Biden's performance in the debate as "horrible" is a subjective judgment, and phrases like "growing panic" over Biden's capacity to lead carry a negative connotation. Neutral alternatives could include 'poor' or 'unclear' for 'horrible', and 'concerns' or 'reservations' instead of 'growing panic'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Harris's perspective, potentially omitting counterarguments or perspectives from Biden's team or other individuals involved. While it acknowledges Biden's reasons for running and his positive qualities, it doesn't offer a detailed response to Harris's claims. This omission could create an unbalanced portrayal.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present false dichotomies, but it subtly implies a zero-sum game between Harris and Biden's success. Harris's statement that 'If she's shining, he's dimmed' presents a simplified view of their relationship and potential for mutual success. A more nuanced portrayal would explore the possibility of both individuals succeeding simultaneously.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the challenges faced by Kamala Harris, a woman, in her role as Vice President. The lack of support from the Biden administration and the negative narratives surrounding her could be interpreted as hindering progress towards gender equality in leadership positions. While not directly about policy or legislation, the experience reflects broader issues of sexism and the barriers women face in achieving high-level political roles. The focus is on the political dynamics and power structures, which have implications for gender equality.