Talking Points Pivot After Debate
For weeks now, Democrats have found themselves in a delicate dance, trying to figure out how to position Vice President Kamala Harris as either a pivotal figure or a mere placeholder in the political narrative. Back in 2020, Harris was a key pick for President Joe Biden, with many pointing to her role as a safeguard against concerns about Biden’s age. But fast forward to 2024, and when Biden unexpectedly bowed out of the race in late July—amid rumors that the decision wasn’t entirely his own—Democrats were left scrambling to bolster Harris’s resume.
The initial strategy was clear: they played up Harris's experience as Biden’s closest confidante, emphasizing her role as the “last person in the room” when it came to major policy decisions. But this line of thinking didn’t last long. When it became clear just how unpopular many of Biden's policies were, the pivot was swift. Suddenly, Harris’s proximity to those same policies became a liability, and Democrats worked to distance her from an administration she had been so visibly part of. It was political damage control in real-time.
I actually think most Americans fundamentally understand that the VP is not the President.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) October 2, 2024
Then came her choice of Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate. The party attempted to regain its footing, hyping Walz as a strong addition to the 2024 ticket. But when he took the debate stage against Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio, the cracks began to show. As Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate aired, the nervous energy from Democratic circles was palpable. Walz’s performance was anything but commanding, as he struggled to articulate major policy positions, leaving many wondering if the Democrats had made yet another miscalculation.
Almost immediately, prominent Democrats were trying to spin the debate performance. Social media lit up with attempts to downplay the role of the vice president, as if to say, “Hey, it’s just the VP spot—no big deal!” Former Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill tweeted, “I actually think most Americans fundamentally understand that the VP is not the President.” Obama advisor David Axelrod chimed in with a similar sentiment, arguing, “VPs don’t make policy. Presidents do.”
Here's the thing:
VPs don't make policy. Presidents do.
Who talks about the Pence years?!?— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) October 2, 2024
But here’s where things get tricky: Vice presidents can and do wield significant influence, especially when the Senate is split down the middle, as it has been for much of Biden’s presidency. Harris herself played a decisive role in shaping economic policy when she cast the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. Despite its name, the legislation has been criticized for exacerbating inflation and leading to record-high rates that hit Americans hard. Harris’s vote wasn’t a footnote; it was a pivotal moment that had lasting economic consequences.
In fact, Harris has cast a record-breaking 33 tie-breaking votes during her tenure, surpassing any other vice president in U.S. history. That’s hardly a ceremonial role—her actions directly shaped the legislative outcomes of Biden’s presidency. Yet, the narrative from Democratic strategists now seems to be: ignore that fact when it’s inconvenient.