WASHINGTON — President Biden said Tuesday he is “in conversation” with Vice President Kamala Harris about choosing his running mate, and predicted he will be remembered as the leader who “fixed the economy” despite soaring inflation and interest rates since he took office.
The 81-year-old president spoke to reporters for a private question-and-answer session at about 1:30 a.m., shortly after returning from a day trip to Texas, for his first time since dropping out of the presidential race on July 21 and endorsing Harris, 59, as his successor.
“Mr. President, what legacy do you want to leave behind for Gen Z?” a reporter asked Biden.
“We fixed the economy and the environment and a few other little problems,” he replied, even though consumer prices have risen more than 20% since Biden entered the White House, credit card interest rates have nearly doubled and mortgage rates are the worst they’ve been in a decade.
“When do you plan to campaign for vice president?” a reporter asked.
“Yes, I did today,” Biden said, referring to his praise of Harris during a speech at the Johnson Presidential Library in Austin.
“What do you think about the vice presidential choice? Who do you think the vice president will pick to be his running mate?” a reporter asked.
“We’re talking,” Biden said before entering the White House.
Harris is believed to be considering Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, while other Democrats, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, are also campaigning for the post.
Harris’ running mate is expected to be approved by Democratic delegates in a virtual roll call vote by August 7, when Ohio’s polls close.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, 78, last month picked Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, 39, as his running mate. The two are focusing primarily on Biden’s economic record and Harris’ record as Biden’s designated agent for reducing illegal immigration, which has hit record highs.
Trump has promised to repeal the federal tax on tips and lower inflation and interest rates if he wins the Nov. 5 election, but Democrats say his new tariff plans could make goods more expensive.