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Published 19:05 IST, September 14th 2023

Is Kamala Harris the best running mate for Joe Biden? Nancy Pelosi refuses to answer

Nancy Pelosi opted to remain quiet on whether she thinks Vice President Kamala Harris is an ideal running mate for US President Joe Biden.

Reported by: Deeksha Sharma
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Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. (Image: AP) | Image: self

Nancy Pelosi, the erstwhile House Speaker of the United States, opted to remain quiet on whether she thinks Vice President Kamala Harris is an ideal running mate for US President Joe Biden. However, she did reveal that the top post does not necessarily come with top responsibilities. 

In a conversation with CNN, Pelosi was questioned if she thinks that Harris is right for the VP role. “He [Biden] thinks so. And that’s what matters," she said, adding that the 58-year-old is “politically astute” and doesn't get the acknowledgment she rightfully deserves. 

“Why would she be vice president if she were not?” said Pelosi, who announced last week that she is running for reelection to Congress next year. During the interview, the former speaker said that the vice president does not take over a lot of tasks but rather serves as an “intellectual resource" to the White House.

“She’s the Vice President of the United States. And when people say to me, ‘well, why isn’t she doing this or that?’ I say, ‘Because she’s the vice president. That’s the job description. You don’t do that much,’” Pelosi said. “You know, you, you know, you’re a source of strength, inspiration, intellectual resource, and the rest. And you, and she, I think she’s represented our country very well at home and abroad," she added. 

Kamala Harris takes on VP duties 

While some may think that the VP plays a much more muted role than the president, Harris has been crucial for the Biden administration. In 2021, Biden directed her to take care of the illegal crossing issue at the US-Mexico border. She was also put in charge of handling diplomatic talks that will help solve “root causes” such as poverty, violence, and corruption which the government believes are contributing to the migrant crisis. 

Just recently, Harris attended the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia on behalf of the president to strengthen and expand ties with the Asian country. She also visited Ground Zero in New York on Monday, when the United States observed the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. 

Updated 19:05 IST, September 14th 2023