Jill Biden said she was most surprised by California Sen. Kamala Harris attacks on her husband, former Vice President Joe Biden, during the first Democratic presidential debate in an interview with CNN that aired Monday.
What We Know:
- During an exclusive interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Jill Biden called Harris’ criticism of Biden over race and segregation “the biggest surprise” and said voters “didn’t buy it.” Her husband has been a front-runner since he joined the primary race and until recently decided to ignore his rivals.
- “The biggest surprise I think was the debate. I think ― you know, I think probably Kamala was a little bit of a surprise,” Biden said. “You know, I think that they were looking at the past. I mean, the one thing you cannot say about Joe is that he’s a racist.”
- Harris confronted Biden during the debate last month, criticizing comments he made where he discussed the “civility” of the Senate during a time when he worked with segregationists in the chamber.
- “I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Harris said. This moment was significant for Harris amid the Democratic field, and she’s seen an increase in support since the debate.
- Biden initially defended himself after the criticism, but eventually said he regretted the segregationist comments. “Was I wrong a few weeks ago to somehow give the impression to people that I was praising those men whom I successfully opposed time and again? Yes, I was,” Biden said in a speech in South Carolina last weekend. “I regret it, and I’m sorry for any of the pain or misconception maybe I caused anybody.”
Click here to watch the interview.
