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Discussion on Political Matters
A supporter of Harris claims Biden did not keep his word
A conversation with Senator Laphonza Butler, a member of the Democratic party from California, as she concludes her last week in the Senate.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has only been a senator in California for around 15 months, but she has been a strong supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris for 15 years.
During the week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has been partnered with Harris for a long time. They first met when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. This partnership gives her a unique insight into why her party lost the presidential election and how they can work towards rebuilding.
Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons for her loss. Butler believes that part of the blame lies with President Biden for not keeping his campaign promise to only serve one term. However, Butler also thinks that simply blaming Biden is not sufficient – Democrats need to focus on listening to others instead of just talking. This means truly listening and understanding the concerns of the public.
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to take over the U.S. Senate seat that became vacant after Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away in September 2023. Feinstein chose not to seek re-election, so this week marks her final days in the Senate. Representative Adam Schiff will be inaugurated as California’s newest senator on Monday.
The interview was shortened and made clearer for easier understanding.
LL asked for the reason behind Harris’s loss.
Many Americans desired a shift and were looking for a candidate who they believed embodied that change. It seems that was a significant factor in their decision-making process.
Should Biden have reconsidered running for office?
President Biden initially stated that he would be a transitional leader, which was the expectation people had. It might have been better for him to stick to that plan. Despite the success of his presidency, it will be remembered as one of the most impactful in my lifetime. Once you set expectations with people, it’s important to follow through.
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