Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently expressed her opinion on who should lead the Democratic ticket if President Joe Biden were to step aside. In an interview with the “Pod Save America” podcast, Psaki praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a strong campaigner and communicator despite her lack of popularity among Americans. However, she also claimed that sexism and racism might be hindering public opinion towards Harris.
The pressure on Biden to step aside has increased following his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. Psaki criticized the president’s performance during the debate but acknowledged that preparation is not always enough to guarantee a positive outcome. She also highlighted the need for important conversations about the future of the Democratic Party and its leadership.
When Kamala Harris ran for the 2020 Democratic nomination, she was one of the first to drop out and failed to win her home state of California. As Vice President, her approval ratings have consistently been lower than Biden’s, who has not had a good year in terms of public opinion either. She has also struggled with handling some tasks assigned to her by Biden, such as gaining control of the chaotic border situation.
In contrast, Trump continues to gain momentum against Biden following their first debate. A recent Rasmussen Reports survey found that 60% of Independent voters believe Republicans and Trump would better handle inflation and the economy. With more than eight-in-ten respondents listing inflation as a serious problem heading into the 2024 election, this issue could play a significant role in voters’ choices next fall.
Biden has dismissed concerns about inflation and the economy, claiming that people have the money to spend. However, polls continue to show that Americans are struggling with rising prices and blaming the White House for their financial woes. Biden’s economic policies, initially branded as “Bidenomics,” have now become an albatross around his neck, used by Republicans to demonstrate how they are harming Americans’ personal finances.
