Pressed repeatedly, Vice President Harris said she's "not going to debate" that Biden had a "slow start" at the debate.
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Even Vice President Kamala Harris said Joe Biden's first debate against Donald Trump went poorly for him.
"Yes there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish," Harris said at the beginning of an interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper following the debate.
Pressed later on whether she was concerned, Harris reiterated the point: "It was a slow start, that's obvious to everyone. I'm not going to debate that point. I'm talking about the choice of November."
VP: It was a slow start, I’m not going to debate that.. I’m talking about the choice in November. I’m talking about one of the most elections in our lifetime… pic.twitter.com/KZ9K5E6fwC
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 28, 2024
On the whole, Harris sought to downplay the significance of the performance. She pivoted repeatedly toward emphasizing the Biden administration's record and talking up Trump's anti-democratic comments and opposition to abortion rights.
"I understand why everyone wants to talk about it," Harris said of Biden's performance. "But I think it's also important to recognize that the choice in November between these two people that were on the debate stage involves extraordinary stakes."
The vice president is among several Democrats who could plausibly replace Biden as the party's presidential nominee, should he choose to step aside.
Many Democrats are in a state of panic after Thursday night's debate, where Biden appeared frail and frequently made nonsensical comments.
