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Discussing Politics
A close associate of Harris claims that Biden did not keep his word.
An interview with Senator Laphonza Butler, a member of the Democratic party from California, as she wraps up her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has only been a senator from California for around 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 in a long-standing partnership with Harris. They first crossed paths when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. This partnership provides Butler with a unique viewpoint on why her political party lost the presidential election and what steps could be taken to restructure and regain support.
Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons behind her loss. According to Butler, some of the blame lies with President Biden, who she believes went back on his campaign promise by running for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not the solution. Democrats should focus on listening attentively rather than just talking.
Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to take over the U.S. Senate seat that was vacated due to the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein 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 representing the state.
The interview was shortened and made clearer through editing.
LL: What do you believe was the reason for Harris’ loss
LB believes that the American people desired a change in leadership and were looking for a candidate who symbolized that change. This could be the main reason for the candidate’s appeal to the voters.
Was it a mistake for Biden to run for
When President Biden first took office, he indicated that he planned to be a transitional leader. Many people had that expectation as well. It might have been better for him to stick to that plan. While we can acknowledge the success of his presidency, it is important to note that once expectations are set, they should be upheld. Looking back, his presidency will likely be considered one of the most influential in my lifetime.
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