Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed on Friday that she is fully prepared to take on the role of president if necessary, but she emphasized that Americans should not anticipate such a scenario.
“As for me, I am prepared if the need arises, but I don’t believe it will be necessary,” stated Harris, 59, during her appearance on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. “Joe Biden and I are running as a team, with him as president and myself as vice president. In the 2020 elections, countless individuals cast their votes for our ticket, and I have faith that they will do so once again.”
Harris responded to questions from NBC News reporter Peter Alexander regarding Biden’s age, which she pointed out Republicans have consistently ridiculed.
According to her, his performance at Thursday night’s State of the Union address should have alleviated those concerns.
“I believe that if there were any doubts about President Joe Biden’s capabilities and his ability to perform his duties effectively, his remarkable energy and enthusiasm displayed last night completely dismisses any such concerns. He is wholeheartedly dedicated and deeply passionate about his role.”
Biden received widespread acclaim for delivering a fiery and energetic speech on Thursday night, showcasing his firm warnings about the potential consequences of a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming November election.
During his address, President Biden, who is 81 years old, even managed to inject some humor about his age.
“I may not appear it, but I’ve gained wisdom over the years. As time passes, certain truths become more evident,” he expressed. “Throughout my life, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of freedom and democracy. A future built upon the fundamental principles that have shaped America: Honesty. Decency. Dignity. Equality. Treating everyone with respect. Providing equal opportunities for all. Refusing to tolerate hatred.”
When questioned about whether Biden will engage in a debate with Trump, Harris provided limited information. Trump, who declined to take part in any of the GOP primary debates, was not given much attention in Harris’ response.
“I haven’t had a conversation with the president about that,” she responded, noting further, “The decision regarding that matter will be made soon, and we will keep you updated.”
