“Biden: ‘We Wanted Diversity, Not Necessarily Qualifications’”
🧵 The Claim
It has been widely reported—in opinion pieces and right-leaning commentary—that Joe Biden admitted he selected Kamala Harris as his running mate more for her race and gender than for her political qualifications. One such headline reads: “Biden Admits Kamala Harris Was Chosen for ‘Racial, Gender Identity’ Not Qualifications.” This interpretation draws from remarks he made about diversity and representation during a campaign speech in Philadelphia (The Daily Fetched).
🔎 What Biden Actually Said
During a campaign stop in Philadelphia, Biden proclaimed:
“To me, the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion are literally—and that’s not kidding—the core strengths of America… I’ve tapped into the full talents of our country, and it starts at the top with the vice president.” (washingtonintelligence.com, The Daily Fetched)
He did not say Harris lacked qualifications. In fact, at a later press conference in July 2024, Biden directly affirmed:
“She is qualified to be president… That’s why I picked her.” (Reuters)
📊 Qualifications vs Identity: Context Matters
- Experience: Harris had served as a U.S. Senator and state Attorney General before being tapped as Vice President, two prominent roles that Biden underscored in the same press conference (Reuters).
- Representation Goals: Biden publicly pledged to choose a woman—and was under significant pressure to select a Black woman—which aligned with Democrats’ representation ethos (mediaite.com).
- Critics’ Take: Commentary, including from Matt Yglesias and Forbes contributors, portrayed Harris’s selection as emblematic of Democrats’ overreliance on identity politics, arguing it overshadowed merit-based considerations (mediaite.com).
🧾 Key Themes & Claims
| Theme | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Diversity Focus | Biden emphasized diversity and inclusion in campaign remarks (The Daily Fetched) |
| Affirmation of Qualifications | Biden later made clear Harris was chosen partly due to her qualifications and record (Reuters, www.ndtv.com) |
| Identity Politics Critique | Analysts and commentators accused Democrats of elevating identity over ability (mediaite.com, Forbes, Washington Examiner) |
⚖️ Interpretation Challenge
- Literal vs. Interpretative: Biden’s remarks on inclusivity have been seized upon as evidence of identity-based decision-making. But he also repeatedly affirmed Harris’s merit-based suitability.
- Public Pressure Factors: Pressure from Democratic influencers emphasized selecting a woman of color, intertwined with political strategy and symbolic representation (spia.princeton.edu, ABC News).
- Harris’s Qualifications: Regardless of identity, Harris’s prosecutorial and Senate background gave her more formal experience than most VP contenders at the time (spia.princeton.edu, time.com).
🧭 Bottom Line
- There is no direct admission by Biden that qualifications didn’t matter.
- Rather, his public narrative includes both a commitment to diversity and assertions of Harris’s competence.
- Critics who label her pick as purely identity-driven are right that identity played a role—but Biden consistently maintained that qualifications were equally central.
🎯 Conclusion
You’re raising a valid concern: is identity politics overshadowing merit? Biden’s statements reflect a blend—not a dismissal—of expertise in favor of representational optics. While critics see a symbolic selection, the broader context shows a more nuanced interplay between diversity goals and perceived competence.
🔍 Would you like a rephrased version, or perhaps talking points or narrative framing for social media or op‑eds?
- Reuters
- glamour.com
- nypost.com
