Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out almost immediately after Thursday’s historic presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
What Happened: Biden’s shaky performance during the event has many Democrats calling for him to step aside and be replaced on the ballot before the November election.
But Harris, in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, defended Biden in what observers said felt like damage control.
"Yes, it was a slow start, but it was a strong finish," Harris said of the debate. "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."
Harris called Biden "extraordinarily strong" in the interview and brushed off concerns about his performance.
Cooper told Harris that some Democrats called Biden's performance in the CNN-hosted debate "a train wreck" and a "disaster."
"Listen, people can debate on style points,” Harris said. “But ultimately, this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance, and the contrast is clear."
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Cooper also questioned Harris about the difference in Biden's debating ability against her in the 2019 Democratic primaries compared to Thursday night.
"I got the point you are making about a one and a half hour debate tonight. I am talking about three and a half years of performance in work that has been historic,” Harris added.
Harris called the 2024 presidential election one of the most important elections in "our lifetime."
Early Friday morning, Harris also criticized Trump's debate on social media: "Donald Trump lied over and over and over again during the debate. He would not disavow what happened on January 6. He would not give a clear answer on whether he would stand by the election results.”
Why It's Important: CNN, which is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery WBD, conducted a flash poll following the debate, which declared Trump the winner
Democrats panicked. Some of the names they mentioned as potential replacements have spoken the loudest in support of the current president.
Harris, as VP, is considered an option but her support for Biden has not wavered.
Former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who ran against Trump in the 2016 election, is also viewed as a replacement option. Clinton also voiced her support for Biden Friday.
"The choice in this election remains very simple. It's a choice between someone who cares about you – your rights, your prospects, your future – versus someone who's only in it for himself. I'll be voting Biden," Clinton tweeted.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was asked by reporters if he was ready to replace Biden, but reiterated his support for the 81-year-old Biden.
"We've got to have the back of this president. You don't turn back because of one performance. What kind of party does that?" Newsom said in an interview with MSNBC.
Former President Barack Obama, who Biden served under as vice president for eight years, also showed support Friday.
"Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight – and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn't change that, and it's why so much is at stake in November," Obama tweeted.
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