Biden Snubs Harris on Election Night: Did It Matter?
The internet went wild when Kamala Harris, the newly-elected Vice President, was nowhere to be seen on election night. While Joe Biden gave his victory speech, the cameras were focused on the Biden family, but not a single glimpse of Harris. This sparked a firestorm of speculation, with some claiming it was a blatant snub and others arguing it was just bad optics. But did it actually matter?
Let's be honest, it felt weird. The image of a unified front, a team ready to take on the challenges of a divided nation, was missing. It felt like something was off.
The reality is, the Biden campaign was probably more focused on Biden's speech and celebrating with family. It's easy to say they should have been more mindful of how Harris' absence would be perceived, but hindsight is 20/20. After all, this was a historic moment, and the focus was understandably on Biden's win and his message.
But the optics are important. Harris, as the first female Vice President and the first person of color in that position, was a huge part of the historic win. Her absence on the night Biden claimed victory was a missed opportunity to highlight the symbolic importance of her election.
The incident did fuel conversations about how Biden treats Harris. There have been rumors of a tense relationship between the two, fueled by reports of a "power struggle" within the White House. Whether these rumors are true is debatable, but the optics of Harris' absence definitely added fuel to the fire.
In the end, it's hard to say how much this impacted the public's perception of the Biden administration. The pandemic, the economy, and other major issues were far more pressing in the minds of most Americans. But the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of optics, particularly when it comes to building a united front and representing the values of a diverse nation.
And let's be real, a little more representation on the stage wouldn't have hurt. It would have been nice to see Harris celebrating with the Biden family and the team, sending a powerful message about unity and shared victory. But the moment has passed, and the Biden administration is moving forward.
Now it's up to them to prove that their partnership is strong, regardless of the optics of one election night.