Biden’s notes: ‘Do not hold grudges’ against Kamala Harris

Joe Biden was uncharacteristically tight-lipped on Tuesday about final stretch of his search for a vice president. But presumptive Democratic presidential minee seemed prepared to talk about at least one leing contender: California Sen. Kamala Harris.

As he took questions from reporters on Tuesday, Biden held tes that were captured by an Associated Press photographer. Harris’ name was scrawled across top, followed by five talking points.

“Do t hold grudges.” “Campaigned with me & Jill.” “Talented.” “Great help to campaign.” “Great respect for her.”

Those are all observations Biden has me about Harris before. But y take on new significance following a recent Politico report that one of Biden’s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, still harbors concerns about Harris’ tough debate st performance and that she hasn’t expressed regret.

comments attributed to Dodd have drawn condemnation, especially from influential Democratic women who maintain that Harris is being held to a standard that wouldn’t apply to a man running for president.

debate-st skirmish was one of seminal moments of Democratic primary. Harris, who is Black, said Biden me “very hurtful” comments about his past work with segregationist senators before she slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate.

“re was a little girl in California who was a part of second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day,” she said. “And that little girl was me.”

At time, Biden called her comments “a mischaracterization of my position.”

ir relationship has become considerably more amicable.

Biden has praised Harris publicly many times and ted that he’s thought highly of her personally and professionally since she became close to his late son, Beau Biden, when both were state attorneys general.

It is common for high-profile politicians to take tes with m to podium, eir handwritten ditions to formal remarks or a bullet-point list like what Biden held on stationery featuring his full name: Joseph R. Biden Jr.

In March, early in coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump’s tes were photographed to show “Chinese” written over “corona,” part of president’s efforts to blame pandemic on a foreign versary. Last year, as Trump faced impeachment for pressuring Ukraine officials to help his reelection by finding dirt on Biden, president h tes that re: “I want thing” and “I want quid pro quo.”

Biden’s list, at least, suggests that he wants to defuse any tensions around his relationship with Harris. As reflected in his tes, Harris has become a reliable surrogate for Biden, appearing with him in online fundraisers amid unusual social distancing standards forced on campaign by COVID-19 pandemic. As recently as last week, Harris helined her own event for Biden, one focused on Raleigh area in rth Carolina, a battleground state where Harris’ dual appeal to Black voters and college-educated white women could boost Democrats’ prospects.

Biden ultimately did t field a question specifically about Harris. A spokesperson for Harris did t immediately respond to a request for comment.

In just his third extended news conference in four months, Biden also sidestepped specific questions about timing of his decision on a running mate, an approach reflected in ar entry on Biden’s tep. Under heing “VP,” Biden wrote “highly qualified” and “diverse group,” signifying his intention t to tease out any more details.

Beyond vice presidential politics, Biden’s topics included Justice Department, an allusion to Attorney General William Barr testifying Tuesday on Capitol Hill. His tes did t name Barr, but Biden referenced “ people’s lawyer … t president’s lawyer,” echoing his previous assertions that Barr has used his post as latter.

On “Last 100 days” of campaign, Biden wrote that he’d be “offering clearest contrast,” “tell truth,” “take responsibility” and “listen to scientists” – all swipes at Trump.

list also included original three-part slogan of Biden’s campaign: “Restore soul” of nation, “Rebuild MC” ( middle class) and “unite country.”