The Democratic Party’s anointed candidate, Kamala Harris, has promised “a new way forward,” signaling her desire to chart a course distinct from the Biden administration’s legacy. Yet, her former boss and current president, Joe Biden, appears to be subtly undermining her campaign at every turn.

In a recent appearance on The View, Biden declared that he delegated “everything from foreign policy to domestic policy” to Harris because, in his words, “as vice president, there wasn’t a single thing that I did that she couldn’t do.” The conflicting signals from Biden raise eyebrows and force the public to question whether the president is inadvertently-or perhaps deliberately-sabotaging the Harris-Walz campaign.

For many, Biden’s comment reads like a thinly veiled undercut of Harris. By insinuating that she is merely a carbon copy of his administration, he has tied her fate to his record-a legacy she’s clearly eager to distance herself from. And this isn’t the first time Biden has appeared to throw shade at Harris; his nonchalant manner and seemingly off-the-cuff statements have a tendency to cast her in a less-than-flattering light. The question on everyone’s mind now is: Could Biden’s backhanded compliments actually harm Harris’s chances, or is this part of a larger strategy to secure the Democratic nomination for her while keeping his influence intact?

It’s no secret that Kamala Harris has had an uphill battle in shaping her public image. Dubbed the “least-liked vice president in polling history,” Harris has consistently struggled to connect with voters. Her fluctuating favorability ratings have left many wondering how she could be considered a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, especially when compared to seasoned political operators like Pete Buttigieg or Gavin Newsom.

But Harris’s rise in betting markets like Polymarket and John Stossel’s Election Betting Odds indicates that, for now, she holds a slight edge. Polling analysts like Nate Silver also show Harris as a favorite, which has left political commentators puzzled. Harris’s sudden resurgence in the polls, despite a rocky term as vice president, has sparked debate over whether her apparent rise is authentic or the result of media manipulation.

Elon Musk, known for his candor and blunt observations, weighed in on the matter by tweeting that Harris’s rise was “manufactured by the media.” His comment reflects a growing sentiment among skeptics who believe that Harris’s current polling strength is less about genuine voter support and more about a media narrative pushing her as the next logical Democratic successor.

The media’s influence on Harris’s campaign cannot be understated. In the 2004 presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry, Evan Thomas, the then-assistant managing editor of Newsweek, famously remarked that the media “wants Kerry to win” and suggested that media bias was worth a significant boost in polling. He predicted that media portrayal could give Kerry and his running mate John Edwards as much as a 15-point advantage, simply through positive coverage.

Today, it seems Harris is benefiting from a similar media-fueled bounce. Even if the boost is less than the 16 points some might estimate, any slight edge in a hyper-partisan environment could tip the scales in her favor. The media’s portrayal of Harris as a “trailblazing” candidate with a fresh vision stands in stark contrast to her poor favorability ratings and frequent gaffes, revealing the disconnect between elite media narratives and public perception.

Without this media reinforcement, it’s conceivable that Harris would be struggling to gain traction in the polls. The Democratic base, often influenced by progressive media outlets, is being presented with a version of Harris that is polished, accomplished, and a stark contrast to Biden’s stumbling administration. The question remains, however, whether the American electorate will buy into the portrayal of Harris as the ideal candidate, or if the media’s influence will fall short in the face of her track record.

Despite the media’s best efforts, Joe Biden’s recent behavior suggests he may not be ready to fully pass the baton to Harris. The casual manner in which he announced his decision to step aside for the 2024 election left many feeling uneasy. Biden, who has long been plagued by concerns over his cognitive abilities and physical health, tweeted his decision on a Sunday afternoon, almost as an afterthought. Hours later, he finally remembered to endorse Harris as the party’s presumptive nominee.

Biden’s reluctant endorsement reeks of bitterness. After all, no incumbent president has ever been so blatantly pushed aside by his own party, particularly not by insiders more powerful than the sitting president. This unprecedented move to replace Biden on the ticket speaks volumes about the Democratic establishment’s desire for change-a desire that Biden likely harbors resentment toward.

If there’s any doubt about Biden’s personal frustrations, one only needs to look at his body language and offhand comments. By essentially claiming that Harris will carry on his legacy without offering any substantive critique of her campaign, Biden is playing a dangerous game. His comments on *The View* and other public forums seem to suggest that he’s attempting to position Harris as both his successor and his rival.

In undermining Harris, Biden may actually be playing a strategic long game. He is aware that his legacy as president is far from cemented, and tying Harris to his administration could be a way to ensure that his policies continue to influence the next Democratic administration. Yet, this strategy may backfire if Harris’s campaign falters, forcing her to embrace or reject Biden’s legacy on the national stage.

Alternatively, Biden could be acting out of spite. Having been forced out of the race by a political machine that no longer sees him as viable, Biden may find some satisfaction in subtly torpedoing Harris’s chances. After all, his endorsement of Harris felt tepid at best, and his backhanded compliments reveal a lingering discomfort with the idea of passing the torch to someone who has distanced herself from his presidency.

If Biden continues to “support” Harris with such lukewarm enthusiasm, it may lead to further cracks in the Democratic coalition. Harris’s campaign already faces significant challenges in gaining widespread appeal, and if Biden’s influence causes voters to question her readiness, the road to 2024 will be even rockier for the Harris-Walz ticket.

In the end, Biden’s legacy as the president who was forced aside might overshadow Harris’s campaign as she tries to break free from his shadow. Whether Biden’s subtle sabotage will be enough to derail Harris remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the tension between the two will shape the Democratic narrative moving forward.

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