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Discussion on Politics
A supporter of Kamala Harris claims that Joe Biden did not keep a promise. Senator Laphonza Butler, a member of the Democratic Party from California, was interviewed in her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has been a senator representing California for a short period of about 15 months. However, she has been a trusted friend and supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.
This week, I interviewed Butler, who has a close relationship with Harris that began when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Butler’s unique insights shed light on the reasons behind her party’s loss in the presidential election and offer suggestions on how to move forward.
Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons behind her loss. According to Butler, part of the blame lies with President Biden, who she thinks went back on his promise by running for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not the solution. Democrats need to shift from talking to actively listening – and truly listening – in order to address their issues.
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to take over the U.S. Senate seat that was vacant following the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein in September 2023. Since Feinstein chose not to seek re-election, this week marks her final days in the Senate. On Monday, Representative Adam Schiff will officially become the newest senator representing the state.
The interview underwent editing to make it shorter and easier to understand.
LL: What is your opinion on why Harris was not successful in
LB: The citizens of America desired a shift in leadership. They were looking for a candidate who they believed embodied change. It seems that was the main reason for their decision.
Was it a mistake for Biden to run for
When President Biden first took office, he indicated that he would be a temporary leader to transition to the next generation. This was the expectation that people had. It might have been more beneficial for him to stick to that plan. It’s undeniable that his presidency has been successful. Looking back in history, his time in office will be seen as one of the most significant in my lifetime. However, once you set an expectation with people, it’s important to follow through with it.
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