Biden Tells Kamala ‘You’re Not Going Anywhere, Kid’ Amid Speculation About VP’s Future

 President Joe Biden told Vice President Kamala Harris “you’re not going anywhere, kid” as speculation about what Harris will do next after losing the 2024 White House race to President-elect Donald Trump ramps up.

The two appeared together on Sunday at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) holiday reception in Washington, D.C.

“I knew what I was doing when I asked her to be my vice president,” Biden said at the event. “I knew her. I knew of her. I knew about her. I knew her record. I trusted her. She always served this country with purpose and integrity and she always will.”

Biden then turned back to speak directly to Harris, adding, “You’re not going anywhere, kid, because we’re not going to let you go.” The crowd responded with laughter and applause.

Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. senator, replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2024 race for the White House after he dropped out earlier this year following a fumbling debate performance against Trump.

After Trump defeated Harris with the help of all the battleground states, POLITICO reported that the vice president privately conveyed to advisers and others to “keep her options open,” including for a potential 2026 campaign for governor of California or a presidential run in 2028.

Edward-Isaac Dovere, a senior reporter for CNN, shared further insights regarding the vice president’s future during the latest episode of “Inside Politics.” What the journalist reported Harris has been telling allies was similar to what Biden himself said about her.

“What she’s been saying to people over the last couple of weeks — donors, other supporters that she’s been talking with — is, ‘You haven’t seen the last of me. I’m not going quietly into the night,’ Dovere said. “Advisers, people close to her are debating about what that means.”

Dovere said Harris’ allies do not want her “final official act ever to be essentially certifying Donald Trump’s win” and noted they see the California governor’s race as being a “layup” for the VP.

A number of Democrats have already begun campaigns for California governor, but polling indicates Harris has an edge if she ran. There couldalso be another GOP bid from transgender-identifying celebrity Caitlyn Jenner, who boasted of being able to “destroy” Harris in the election.

Dovere stressed Harris would likely be giving up on a 2028 campaign for the White House if she became governor of California because she would have to “essentially” declare her bid right away.

 

“That is what it really comes down to because there are people close to her who say she didn’t get a fair shot this year. It wasn’t up to what she could have done. And look how well she performed. Anyway, she should get to go again in 2028,” Dovere said.

“And then there are ones who say, look with where things are with the Democratic Party … she would not have a clear field, a cleared field, rather, in the Democratic primary and could lose the nomination,” Dovere continued. “And to come off of 2024 into that would be really terrible.”

Prior to Biden’s remarks on Sunday, Harris used her own speech to reassure fellow Democrats.

“We are not defeated. Let’s be clear about that. We are strong. We are clear about why we are in this and because you are here right now I say, again, thank you because not only are you clear about all of that, you’re willing to put in the hard work and that work must continue,” she said.

Harris also said: “I promise you I will be with you every step of the way.”