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Discussion on Politics
A supporter of Kamala Harris claims that Joe Biden did not fulfill a promise he made. Senator Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, was interviewed during her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has only been a senator from California for about 15 months, but she has been a longtime supporter and ally of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.
This week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has been in a long-lasting partnership with Harris. They first crossed paths when Butler was working as a union leader in Los Angeles. This partnership provides Butler with a unique viewpoint on why their political party lost the presidential election and what steps can be taken to rebuild.
Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons for her loss. According to Butler, part of the blame lies with President Biden for breaking his campaign promise by running for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not enough. Democrats need to stop talking and start actively listening to others.
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 chose not to seek re-election, this week marks her final days in office. Representative Adam Schiff will be officially sworn in as the new senator for the state on Monday.
The interview was shortened and made clearer for easier understanding.
LL asked for the reasons behind Harris’s loss.
LB: American citizens desired a shift in leadership and were looking for a candidate they believed could bring about change. It seems that was the main reason for their choice.
Was it a mistake for Biden to run for
When President Biden first took office, he indicated that he would be a transitional leader. This was the expectation that people had of him. In hindsight, 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, his time in office will be remembered as one of the most influential in my lifetime. However, when you set a certain expectation with people, it is important to follow through on it.
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