Somewhat Off the Hook

For John, BLUF:  People are piling on with blame for Vice President Harris for the events of the last three and a half years.  It isn't fair.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Voters Say Kamala Can’t Escape Biden’s Legacy, Despite Her Flip-Flops

From The Media Research Center, by Reporter Craig Bannister, 5 September 2024.

Here is the lede plus one:

Vice President Kamala Harris can claim she’s not responsible for the Biden-Harris administration’s failed policies, but voters aren’t buying it, results of a new national poll reveal.

Despite her claimed rejection of Biden policies, ranging from fracking and taxing tips to finishing former President Donald Trump’s border wall, U.S. likely voters largely blame Democrat presidential nominee Harris for Biden’s policy failures and credit her for their successes.

The job of the Vice President is actually very limited.  For example, Vice President Harry S Truman had no idea about the A-Bomb when he took over as President from Franklin D Roosevelt.  As Vice President John Nance Garner, III ("Cactus Jack") said about being Vice President, it is “Not worth a bucket of warm spit.”

Here is my take on Vice President Harris' responsibilities:

Her primary job is being ready to be President.

Preside over the US Senate—Where her's was the deciding vote to pass the infamous "Inflation Reduction Act", which helped spike inflation and impacted drug research.

Some apparent organizing responsibility in the 25th Amendment.
Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.♠

Plus Administration appointed Tasks:

• Chairman of the Space Council.
• Border Tsar. (Maybe)

I am not saying she is without sin in the Biden Administration, but I am saying she was not in charge.  The failures of the Biden Administration can not be passed from President Joseph R Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Having said that, to the degree she participated in discussions♥ or accpeted assignments (eg, Border Tsar) she bears some responsibility.  The job for the voter is to sort through this and then make a decision, in part on this work experience, how to vote.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  This raises one of those "Whaat did she know and when did she know it" questions.
♥  For example, in the past Vice President Harris has said she was the last one in the room with President Biden when the Afghan withdrawal decision was made.