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Discussion on Political Matters
A supporter of Kamala Harris accuses Joe Biden of not keeping his word, according to an interview with Senator Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, in her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has only been a senator in California for approximately 15 months. However, 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 had a longstanding partnership with Harris. They first crossed paths when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Through their collaboration, Butler has gained an interesting insight into why their party lost the presidential election and what steps can be taken to revive it.
Harris has not spoken much about the reasons for her loss in public. According to Butler, some of the blame lies with President Biden, who she thinks went back on a clear campaign promise by seeking re-election. However, simply pointing fingers at Biden is not sufficient. Democrats need to stop talking and truly listen to others’ perspectives.
Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to take over the U.S. Senate position that became vacant after Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away in September 2023. Since Feinstein opted 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 from California.
The interview underwent editing to make it shorter and easier to understand.
LL: In your opinion, what do you think contributed to Harris
LB: The citizens of America desired a different direction. They were looking for a candidate who they believed embodied change. And I believe that could be the main reason.
Was it a mistake for Biden to run for
President Biden originally stated that he would serve as a transitional leader, which was the expectation people had. It may have been better for him to stick to that plan. Despite the success of his presidency, it will likely be seen as one of the most impactful in history. However, it is important to maintain consistency with the expectations set for oneself.
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