Harris is wondering where to put more distance between himself and Biden

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris' team is discussing ways to clarify her response to questions this week about how she will differentiate herself from President Joe Biden, according to four people familiar with the discussions.

Harris' response — in which he said he couldn't think of anything he could have done differently than Biden — quickly became fodder for his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, who played a video clip of the exchange at a campaign rally. to show that the majority of voters still view the current president unfavorably.

Discussions within Harris' team have included how he might put more distance between himself and Biden, people familiar with the discussions said, as well as what that would entail in the final weeks of the 2024 race.

Polls have consistently shown that Biden is a drag on Harris' candidacy and that voters are eager for a new direction. But Harris has been reluctant to call out Biden in direct criticism of his presidency. “His level of loyalty is incredible,” said a source.

He suggested some new policies. He proposed creating a “Medicare at Home” program that would allow seniors to receive more residential care instead of relying on nursing homes.

He is releasing his medical records, a move meant to show he is young and vibrant, unlike Biden, 81, and Trump, 78.

There are a number of additional areas where Harris could do so, including the care economy and overall leadership style, but no final strategy has been defined, people familiar with the discussions said.

Harris will want to somewhat subtly distance herself from Biden, perhaps warning the White House before doing so, three people familiar with the discussions said.

Since announcing her candidacy in July, Harris has tried to walk a fine line between praising Biden's leadership and record and setting her agenda, explaining to voters how she will represent her campaign slogan of “a new way forward.”

On Tuesday, when asked on “The View” if she would have done anything differently than Biden over the past four years, Harris initially said, “Nothing that comes to mind,” arguing that he “made most of the decisions they made.” an impact.”

Trump and his campaign quickly seized on the line, tossing it twice during a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

“So his response that he wouldn’t do anything differently is unqualified. Kamala Harris is extremely incompetent. He can’t be trusted,” Trump said.

Later in the ABC interview, Harris brought up one area where he promised to differ from the president if elected: naming a Republican to his Cabinet, adding that he “doesn’t feel burdened by letting pride get in the way of a good idea. “

On Friday, he went a step further, promising to establish a bipartisan council of political advisers if he won. The group will then recommend practical ideas “to help improve the lives of Americans” in areas such as small businesses, affordable housing, mental health care and veteran care, according to a Harris campaign aide.

Hours after her interview on “The View,” Harris faced a similar question from Stephen Colbert, who asked what major changes would be evident in a potential Harris administration and what could remain the same.

“Well, I mean, I’m obviously not Joe Biden,” he said. “But, I think it’s important to say, you know, 28 days to go, I’m not Donald Trump,” without giving a specific example.

Harris gave a similar response during her debate with Trump last month, which Biden specifically noted:

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Biden was particularly frustrated by the line, according to three people familiar with his comments.

At the same time, however, the president recently commented to his top aides that Harris would likely “draw more contrasts” with him in the coming weeks and that there were “no major concerns” about that, said a fourth person familiar with his comments. . he said

“He should do whatever it takes to win,” the source said.