Jon Stewart was visibly surprised Thursday when former Vice President Kamala Harris asserted that Joe Biden was “fully competent” to serve another term as president. The exchange took place during an episode of Stewart’s podcast The Weekly Show, where Harris discussed her political regrets and future outlook.
Harris, reflecting on her failed White House bid last year, admitted she wished she had drawn a clearer line between her campaign and Biden’s. “I regret not making more of a distinction between myself and Biden during my run,” she said.
Stewart clarified that his question wasn’t about Biden’s ability to serve but about the policy differences between the two. Harris quickly interjected, “No, I’m not talking about competence. I am not talking about competence at all. No, I believe he was fully competent to serve.”
Stewart, clearly taken aback, raised his eyebrows. “Do you really?” he asked.
“I do,” Harris replied confidently.
“That surprises me, actually,” Stewart responded, visibly startled by her conviction.
Harris continued to argue that Biden was capable of leading despite public concerns after his poor debate performance and a series of public mix-ups. She emphasized the difference between campaigning and governing.
“Being a candidate for president of the United States is about being in a marathon at a sprinter’s pace, having tomatoes thrown at you every step you take,” Harris said. “And to be the seated president, the sitting president, while doing that – it’s a lot. It’s a lot.”
Stewart pushed back, suggesting that most people view the presidency as just as demanding as a campaign. “I think it’s a hard case to make for people that he didn’t have the stamina to run, but he had the stamina to govern because I think most people view the presidency as a marathon run at a sprint with tomatoes being thrown at you in terms of governance,” he said.
Harris appeared on the podcast to promote her new book, 107 Days, which recounts her brief campaign for the Oval Office. Earlier in the conversation, she reflected on her loyalty to Biden during the 2024 election despite growing questions about his mental sharpness.
“I care about him deeply, and I did not want to pile on with all the criticism that he was facing. I didn’t think it was necessary,” Harris told Stewart.
She added, “I do realize also in reflection that I did not fully understand how big of an issue it was for some people, for me to distinguish myself from him. I felt that the distinction between him and me was pretty clear. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve probably approached it a bit differently.”