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Discussing Politics
In an interview with Senator Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, during her last week in the Senate, a close associate of Harris accuses Biden of not keeping his word.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has been a senator in California for a short time, around 15 months. However, she has been a strong supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.
During this week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has been working closely with Harris for a long time. They first met when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Butler’s unique perspective sheds light on why their party lost the presidential election and offers insight on how they can move forward and rebuild.
Harris has not publicly addressed the reasons for her loss. According to Butler, part of the blame lies with President Biden for breaking a clear campaign promise by running for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not sufficient. Democrats need to focus on listening to others rather than just talking. It is important for them to truly listen.
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 representing the state.
The interview was shortened and made clearer for easier understanding.
LL: What is your opinion on the reasons for Harris’ loss
Many Americans desired a change and were looking for a candidate who they believed embodied that change. This could be the reason for the outcome of the election.
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 people had, and it may have been better for him to stick to that plan. Despite this, we cannot overlook the success of his presidency, which will likely be seen as highly impactful in the future. Once you set certain expectations with people, it is important to follow through on them.
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