Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has put former Vice President Kamala Harris on the spot over a glaring omission regarding Joe Biden's health.
According to Fox News, Shapiro told ESPN host Stephen A. Smith on the "Straight Shooter" podcast Thursday that Harris must explain why she failed to voice public concerns about Biden's condition before the 2024 election. This issue surfaced after revelations in her book "107 Days" hinted at private worries she never shared openly.
Shapiro didn’t hold back, stating, "I haven't read the former vice president's book, and she's going to have to answer to how she was in the room and yet never said anything publicly." If Harris saw red flags, why the silence? It’s a fair question that cuts to the heart of trust in political figures who claim to prioritize the public good.
Unlike Harris, Shapiro claims he was upfront about Biden’s fitness to run again, describing himself as "extremely vocal" on the matter. He criticized Biden’s staff for not fully briefing the president on his fading chances of success.
"I can tell you that I tried to speak to them candidly about it and to do so in a constructive manner," Shapiro said. Keeping such discussions behind closed doors, he argued, was the respectful way to handle sensitive issues, rather than airing grievances through the media.
This approach contrasts sharply with Harris’ apparent reticence, painting Shapiro as a straight-talker willing to confront tough truths. Perhaps Democrats could use more of that bluntness, especially when the stakes are so high.
The silence from Harris isn’t just a personal failing; it’s a missed chance to steer the party with honesty. If she had concerns, as her book suggests, speaking up could have shifted the narrative or even the candidacy.
Instead, her reticence left Democrats scrambling, and now she faces scrutiny for what looks like prioritizing optics over duty. It’s hard to champion transparency when your own track record shows a reluctance to speak out.
Shapiro’s critique lands as a reminder that leadership demands courage, not just loyalty to the party line. Harris’ explanation, whenever it comes, will need to address why she chose discretion over disclosure.
When asked by Smith about a potential 2028 presidential run, Shapiro pivoted to his current role, expressing gratitude for serving as Pennsylvania’s governor. He underscored his commitment to the job, refusing to take it for granted.
Yet, he didn’t shy away from broader concerns, saying, "I am troubled by what I'm seeing in this country, and I'm concerned about what I'm seeing in my party." His desire to push both nation and Democrats toward a "commonsense direction" hints at frustration with progressive overreach.
Shapiro’s ambiguity about his future—whether his voice will "manifest" in a run or another role—keeps options open. Still, his call for a grounded approach is a subtle jab at the party’s drift from practical governance.
Shapiro’s comments come against the backdrop of Harris’ VP selection process, where he was a finalist alongside Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Mark Kelly, according to the book "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." The text notes Harris and Shapiro weren’t an ideal match, with Shapiro seen as overly ambitious and uneasy about playing second fiddle.
"He also conceded it would not be natural for him to serve as someone’s number two, leaving Harris with a bad impression," the book reveals. This mismatch may have cost Shapiro the spot, but it also fuels his current outspokenness as a free agent within the party.
Ultimately, Shapiro’s challenge to Harris is more than personal—it’s a call for Democrats to reckon with their internal failures on candor and strategy. If the party hopes to rebuild trust, it might start by heeding voices like his, which demand accountability over allegiance, and practical solutions over ideological posturing.
