Kamala Harris address "taking over" from president Biden in the event he is unable to complete his presidential term
US Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that an important part of her job is the fact that she “may have to take over” if President Biden is unable to complete his term in office — and that she’s ready to do so if required.
Harris was pressed on her readiness for the Oval Office during an overseas trip after she initially tried to deflect a question about the 80-year-old Biden’s age by pointing to his legislative accomplishments.
“Questions about the president’s age often go hand in hand with questions about how you would step into the role if necessary. Do you feel prepared for that possibility? Has serving as vice president prepared you for that job?” Associated Press reporter Chris Megerian asked Harris.
“Yes,” replied the 58-year-old vice president in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she is representing Biden at the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
“And how would you describe that process?” the reporter asked.
“Well, first of all, let’s — I’m answering your hypothetical, but Joe Biden is going to be fine. So that is not going to come to fruition,” Harris said.
“But let us also understand that every vice president — every vice president — understands that when they take the oath, they must be very clear about the responsibility they may have to take over the job of being president. I am no different.”
Eight of the 45 men who have served as president died in office — four by assassination and four from natural causes.
Biden, already the oldest-ever president, turns 81 in November.
Politicians in Washington typically refrain from engaging in hypotheticals about the potential death of elderly figures for fear of attracting criticism.
Harris has even lower favorability ratings than Biden, according to the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls, which finds that 40.7% of the public approves of her work, versus 41.7% who approve of her boss.
Biden is seeking a second term in next year’s election, even though he would be 86 upon leaving office.2
He reportedly has been unsatisfied with Harris, despite praising her in public.
