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Unpacking the Breakdown: How Biden’s Campaign Promise and Political Strategy Contributed to Harris’ Loss – An Interview with Senator Laphonza Butler

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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Discussing Politics

During her last week in the Senate, Senator Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, had an interview where she expressed that Biden had not kept a promise, according to a Harris ally.

Written by Lisa Lerer

Laphonza Butler has only been a senator from California for around 15 months, but she has been a loyal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.

This week, I interviewed Butler, who has been working closely with Harris for a long time since they first met when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Butler’s unique viewpoint offers insights into why her party lost the presidential election and strategies for rebuilding.

Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons for her loss in detail. According to Butler, part of the blame lies with President Biden, who she believes went back on his campaign promise by seeking re-election. However, Butler emphasizes that simply blaming Biden is not sufficient. Democrats must focus on actively listening and understanding the concerns of the public.

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 office. Representative Adam Schiff will be inaugurated as the new senator for the state next Monday.

This interview was condensed and made easier to understand by removing unnecessary content

LL: What do you believe was the reason for Harris’ loss

According to LB, the American people desired a change and sought a candidate who they believed embodied that change. It seems that this desire for change was a significant factor in their decision-making.

Was it a mistake for Biden to run for

At first, President Biden indicated he would only serve as a transitional leader, which was what people were expecting. In hindsight, it may have been better for him to stick to that plan. Despite the success of his presidency, it will likely be remembered as one of the most impactful in my lifetime. However, once expectations are set, it is important to follow through on them.

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