As the 2024 presidential race heats up, one notable absence in Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is President Joe Biden. Since halting his reelection efforts in July, Biden has kept a low profile, allowing Harris to navigate her own campaign direction and set herself apart from his presidency.
According to a recent NBC report, Harris campaign insiders have confirmed that Biden will not be joining her on the campaign trail before Election Day. Instead, he’s focusing on his presidential duties and nurturing his political ties, particularly within labor sectors, to promote the accomplishments of his administration.
This decision to keep Biden off the campaign trail was strategic, with a White House official noting that voters are looking for fresh perspectives. Harris’ campaign emphasizes her role as a “change agent,” a point she underscored in a recent interview with Fox News: “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency.”
To reinforce this message, Harris has shifted her focus from “Bidenomics” to her proposed “opportunity economy,” which aims to uplift the middle class through initiatives like tax cuts, a $6,000 child tax credit for new parents, and support for small business startups. This pivot seems to resonate, as a Financial Times poll indicated that 42% of voters trust Harris more than Donald Trump on economic issues, marking a significant improvement from Biden’s standing in July.
Last week, Biden remarked that Harris would “cut her own path” during a campaign event in Philadelphia, emphasizing her ability to offer new perspectives—especially in contrast to Trump, whom he criticized as “totally dishonest.” Political insights suggest that Harris’ distance from Biden may be advantageous as she crafts her campaign narrative.
While Biden’s absence from high-profile events is strategic, he continues to work behind the scenes, engaging labor leaders in vital states. His age and the demands of his presidency also suggest that focusing on governance over campaigning is a sensible choice.
The dynamics between Harris and Biden mirror past presidential campaigns. For instance, Al Gore distanced himself from Bill Clinton during his bid due to personal scandals, while John McCain similarly sought independence from George W. Bush amid declining approval ratings. However, Harris shows signs of being a stronger campaigner than Biden ever was, making the race competitive. As noted by observers, if she wins, one of Biden’s key legacies could be his decision not to run amid growing unpopularity.