The delicate dance between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris unfolds in unexpected ways during the final days of a fiercely contested presidential race.
According to Politico, Biden views Harris' potential victory as essential to his presidential legacy, yet his role in her campaign remains notably limited as Election Day approaches.
The strategic separation becomes evident in their divergent schedules, with Biden heading to Arizona's Gila River Indian Community for a historic apology regarding Native American boarding schools while Harris addresses abortion rights in Texas.
Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher, who worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, explains the reasoning behind Biden's limited presence. His assessment of the campaign's approach reveals deliberate planning:
It's not about Biden's feelings. It's about winning. And the Harris campaign is being very strategic about how they use the president. Harris' whole pitch is 'a new way forward.' If Biden is on the main stage with her at rallies, it just brings back a conversation that is not 'forward.' And that would be a mistake.
The White House has orchestrated Biden's appearances to focus primarily on official events showcasing administration achievements rather than direct campaign activities. Recent engagements include announcing a lead pipe replacement initiative in Milwaukee and discussing prescription drug pricing in Concord, New Hampshire.
Since the national party convention in August, Biden and Harris have appeared together at only two campaign events away from the White House. Their joint public appearances have centered on official matters, including responses to hurricanes and Iran's attack on Israel.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates emphasizes the president's ongoing support for Harris:
The President is restating his support for the Vice President's leadership at every opportunity, and for an agenda that moves us into the future by strengthening the middle class and protecting our freedoms - away from dangerous policies like recession-causing MAGAnomics and extreme abortion bans.
Harris faces the challenge of distinguishing her campaign while maintaining connections to administration achievements. Recent research from Democratic data firm Blueprint reveals that her reluctance to differentiate herself from Biden has created a 21-point drag on her campaign.
During Wednesday's CNN town hall, Harris addressed questions about her distinct approach, emphasizing how her background shapes her economic vision. She continues focusing on plans for consumer costs, small businesses, and working families.
White House aides recognize the stakes involved in these final campaign days. Biden's legacy could face significant challenges if Republicans gain control, potentially undermining his legislative accomplishments.
The president's recent appearances have generated limited media attention. During his New Hampshire prescription drug pricing event, major networks chose to cover former President Obama's larger rally in Detroit featuring rapper Eminem. Despite polls showing a close race between Trump and Harris, Biden and his senior staff have accepted their supporting role in the campaign's final stretch.
The president has shown public understanding of Harris's need to establish her own political identity, frequently praising her work and including references to their joint accomplishments in speeches.
These closing weeks of the campaign represent a crucial period for both Harris and Biden as they work toward a victory that would both advance new leadership and preserve existing achievements. The careful orchestration of their roles reflects the campaign's broader strategy to secure victory while managing the complex dynamics of political transition.
