Despite White House officials saying everything is peachy keen between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, maybe it’s just not.
Biden appeared to give Harris the cold shoulder when the two made a joint appearance at a Washington, D.C., soup kitchen during their first public appearance together since reports emerged that the two were at odds, according to a new report.
“Biden made no attempt to demonstrate any fondness for his VP in front of the cameras after Harris allies slammed Biden to CNN last week for giving her tough jobs, such as handling the border crisis, and accused the West Wing of giving her less support than white members of the administration,” the New York Post reported. “When asked by a reporter what he was grateful for, Biden put an arm around DC Central Kitchen chef Dawain Arrington — who was standing to the president’s left with Harris at Biden’s right — and said, “The people I’m standing next to are what I’m thankful for. He got up. He was knocked down, but he got up.”
At one point first lady Jill Biden pointed Harris to a spot next to her husband, but the president didn’t appear to greet his vice president when she took her place according to the Post.
“Press pool microphones didn’t capture any words between Biden and Harris and the president seemed to ignore the veep and return immediately to his conversation with Arrington as he placed turkey on trays,” said the Post.
Last week, two CNN reporters wrote an article headlined, “Exasperation and dysfunction: Inside Kamala Harris’ frustrating start as vice president,” which cites dozens of staffers in Harris’ office and the White House saying there are problems between the two.
“But, with many sources speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation more frankly, they all tell roughly the same story: Harris’ staff has repeatedly failed her and left her exposed, and family members have often had an informal say within her office. Even some who have been asked for advice lament Harris’ overly cautious tendencies and staff problems, which have been a feature of every office she’s held, from San Francisco district attorney to U.S. Senate,” the reporters wrote.
Harris has plunged to a 28% approval rating in one recent poll, and is reportedly not happy.
The White House quickly circled the wagons, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki taking to Twitter to put the administration’s spin on the saga.
“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,” Psaki wrote on Twitter.
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
Top Harris staffers jumped in, too.
“It is unfortunate that after a productive trip to France in which we reaffirmed our relationship with America’s oldest ally and demonstrated U.S. leadership on the world stage, and following passage of a historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill that will create jobs and strengthen our communities, some in the media are focused on gossip — not on the results that the President and Vice President have delivered,” tweeted Symone Sanders, who serves as senior adviser and chief spokesperson for the vice president.
Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh tweeted, “Honored to work for @VP every day. She’s focused on the #BuildBackBetter agenda and delivering results for the American people.”
“Proud to be on team @VP every single day,” Assistant Press Secretary Rachel Palermo wrote.