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Discussion About Politics
A supporter of Kamala Harris accuses Joe Biden of not keeping his word. Senator Laphonza Butler, who is a member of the Democratic Party from California, gave an interview during her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has only been a senator in California for around 15 months, but she has been a strong supporter and friend of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.
During the week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has had a longstanding collaboration with Harris. They initially crossed paths when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. This partnership provides her with a unique insight into the reasons behind her party’s loss in the presidential election and possible strategies for rebuilding.
Harris has not spoken much about the reasons for her loss publicly. According to Butler, part of the blame lies with President Biden for going 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 listening attentively.
Governor Gavin Newsom selected Butler to take over the U.S. Senate position that became vacant after Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away in September 2023. Feinstein chose not to seek re-election, so 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 was shortened and made clear by editing.
LL: What is your opinion on the reasons for Harris’ loss
LB believes that the American people desired a change in leadership and were looking for a candidate they felt embodied change. This could be the reason why they supported that particular candidate.
Should Biden have refrained from running for office
When President Biden first took office, he indicated that he would only serve as a transitional leader. Many people believed this would be the case. It may have been better for him to stick to that plan. Despite this, it is undeniable that his presidency has been successful. Looking back, it is likely that his time in office will be seen as highly influential. However, when you set certain expectations with the public, it is important to follow through on them.
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