Harris rushes to Biden’s defense after disappointing debate

Vice President Kamala Harris knew she had to go to bat for President Joe Biden as devastating reviews of the president’s debate performance rolled in late Thursday night, aiming to strike a balance between sounding reasonable about the president’s performance while also hammering home the contrast between the two candidates, two sources told CNN.

Vice President Kamala Harris knew she had to go to bat for President Joe Biden as devastating reviews of the president’s debate performance rolled in late Thursday night, aiming to strike a balance between sounding reasonable about the president’s performance while also hammering home the contrast between the two candidates, two sources told CNN. Moments after the debate, Harris joined an organizing call, checked in with campaign officials on a brief call and then participated in previously scheduled interviews. And on Friday, Harris’ staff made phone calls to check in with Democratic officials, trying to reassure them, reminding them of Biden’s record and agenda, and calling on them to remain united, according to another source. Harris took that argument to Las Vegas on Friday – marking her fifth visit to the state this year – during a campaign event focused on Latino voters. “There are three things that were true yesterday before the debate that are still true today. Let’s level set on this. First, the stakes of this race could not be higher. Second, the contrast in this election could not be more stark. And third, we believe in our President Joe Biden, and we believe in what he stands for,” she said. “This race will not be decided by one night in June,” she added.