Kamala Harris Makes Stunning Statement After Disastrous Debate

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared visibly frustrated when CNN's Anderson Cooper questioned her about demands for President Joe Biden to be “replaced” following his largely criticized debate performance.

In the first presidential debate of the general election, President Biden and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head on CNN Thursday night. The results are in. Although Biden's performance improved after some significant early missteps, it wasn’t enough to prevent several Democrats from calling for him to step down.

Following the debate, Harris made the rounds, going so far as to speak with CNN’s Cooper on Debate Night in America. Cooper immediately questioned Harris about the reported panic:

ANDERSON COOPER: CNN’s John King has described a panic inside the Democratic Party right now because of President Biden’s performance in tonight’s debate. He’s been hearing from Democratic lawmakers and others around the country. Some within your own party are wondering if President Biden should even step aside. What do you say to that?

VP KAMALA HARRIS: Listen, first of all, what we saw tonight is that the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all of the issues that matter to the American people.

Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish. And what became very clear through the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people, on substance, on policy, on performance. Joe Biden is extraordinarily strong and–

ANDERSON COOPER: On substance and policy and performance tonight. I mean, the president’s performance tonight clearly was disappointing for his supporters.

CNN is reporting Democratic lawmakers watching the debate were worried worried about the president’s performance. One said it was a disaster. Another called it a trainwreck. Those are Democrats especially worried that Biden did not punch back on Trump’s lies.

VP KAMALA HARRIS: Listen. People can debate on style points, but ultimately this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance. And the contrast is clear. Look at what happened during the course of the debate. Donald Trump lied over and over and over again as he has want to do. He would not disavow what happened on January 6th.

He would not give a clear answer on whether he would stand by the election results this November. He went back and forth about where he stands on one of the most critical issues of freedom in America, which is the right of a women to make decisions about their own body.

He has been completely ambiguous and all over the place about where he stands on that issue. Despite the fact that he hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v Wade. And that’s exactly what they did.

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The media landscape exploded following Biden’s poor showing during the CNN Presidential Debate.

Reactions have varied from “dismal” critiques to direct calls from the left for him to exit the 2024 race.

CNN’s John King emphasized the “very aggressive panic in the Democratic Party” that emerged early in the debate.

“This was a game-changing debate, as right now there is deep, wide, and very aggressive panic in the Democratic Party. It started minutes into the debate and continues now,” King remarked.

“It involves party strategists, elected officials, and fundraisers. They’re discussing the president’s performance, which they view as dismal, and how it might negatively affect other candidates on the ticket,” King added.

CNN’s Kasie Hunt also noted on X, “The voice, open-mouthed look, and visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump have left Democrats I’m speaking with nearly beside themselves watching this debate.”

NBC News’ Chuck Todd admitted Biden resembled the “caricature” that conservatives often portray, particularly regarding his mental sharpness. This debate followed liberal outrage over a Wall Street Journal report earlier that questioned the president’s viability.

“And there were no clips tonight. You saw it unfold,” Todd stated.

Bloomberg Opinion editor Tim O’Brien wrote on X: “Trump’s seized momentum in this debate—despite lying and existing in an alternate reality—while Biden appears as a somewhat dazed punching bag.”

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, a long-time Biden supporter, wrote: “I cannot recall a more heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics in my lifetime—because of what it revealed: Joe Biden, a good man and a good president, should not run for re-election.”

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote on X: “I wish Biden would reflect on this debate and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, letting the Democratic convention choose the nominee. Figures like @gretchenwhitmer, @SherrodBrown, or @SecRaimondo could still challenge Trump,” referring to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, and Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo.

Alyssa Farah Griffin from “The View” stated: “If Biden truly believes democracy is at stake, he should step aside and allow another Democrat to challenge Trump. Prioritize the country.”

Vox correspondent Eric Levitz suggested: “Joe Biden should secure his legacy by ending his candidacy.”

Financial Times associate editor Edward Luce expressed concern on X, writing: “This is a disaster. Democrats need to stop censoring concerns about Biden and address this. There are two months until the convention. Other nations hold elections in less time.”

Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks declared on social media: “It’s over. Biden looks and sounds ancient, losing his train of thought and speaking in a barely audible whisper. They have to pull him!”

The Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich published an op-ed titled “Time to Go, Joe,” stating, “Biden must step aside—for his dignity, the party’s good, and the country’s future.”

CNN commentator Van Jones urged Biden to step aside, saying: “I love him as a good man who loves his country and is doing his best. But he had to restore confidence tonight, and he failed. Many will want him to consider a different path. There’s time for the party to find a new direction if he allows it. It’s not just panic; it’s painful for many. This was not what we needed from Joe Biden.”