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Breaking Promises: A Harris Ally’s Perspective on Biden, Politics, and the Need for Change

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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Discussion on Political Matters

An interview with Senator Laphonza Butler, who is a Democrat from California, as she wraps up her last week in the Senate. A supporter of Harris, Butler claims that Biden did not keep a promise.

Written by Lisa Lerer

Laphonza Butler has been a senator representing California for approximately 15 months, but she has been a strong supporter and friend of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.

This week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has been working closely with Harris for a long time. They first crossed paths when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Butler’s unique insights into why her party lost the presidential election and how it can recover make for an interesting perspective.

Harris has not shared many reasons publicly for her loss. According to Butler, some of the responsibility lies with President Biden, as he went back on his promise not to run for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not the solution. Democrats need to shift from talking to actively listening, in Butler’s opinion.

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to take over the U.S. Senate seat that became vacant after Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away in September 2023. As Feinstein chose not to seek re-election, this week marks her final days in office. On Monday, Representative Adam Schiff will be officially inaugurated as California’s newest senator.

The interview underwent editing to make it shorter and easier to understand.

LL: What is your opinion on why Harris did not win?

LB: The citizens of America desired a shift in leadership. They were looking for a candidate who embodied the idea of change. That seems to be the main reason behind it.

Was it a mistake for Biden to run for

At first, President Biden indicated that he would only serve as a transitional leader. This was the expectation that people had. Therefore, it may have been better for him to stick to that plan. It is undeniable that his presidency has been successful. Looking back, his time in office will be considered one of the most influential in my lifetime. However, once you set certain expectations with people, it is important to follow through on them.

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