WASHINGTON — President Biden said Tuesday that he and Vice President Kamala Harris are “talking” about her running mate pick — a decision expected within days — and predicted he’d be remembered as the leader who “cured the economy,” despite a jump in inflation and interest rates since he took office.
The 81-year-old president spoke with reporters around 1:30 a.m. as he returned from a day-trip to Texas in one of his first informal question-and-answer sessions since he dropped out of the presidential campaign on July 21 and endorsed Harris, 59, to replace him.
“Mr. President, what do you want your legacy for Gen Z to be?” a reporter asked Biden.
“That I’ve cured the economy and the environment and a few other small things,” he replied — even though consumer costs are up more than 20% since Biden entered the White House, with credit card interest rates nearly doubling and mortgage rates the worst in a generation.
“When are you going to go out and campaign for the vice president?” a reporter asked.
“Well, I did today,” Biden said, referring to his praise for Harris during a speech at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin.
“What do you think of the VP’s choices? Who do you think she’s going to pick as VP?” a member of the press inquired.
“We’re talking,” Biden said before entering the White House.
Harris is believed to be considering Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — though other Democrats are all but campaigning for the slot, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Harris’ running mate decision is expected to be rubber-stamped by Democratic delegates in a virtual roll call vote ahead of an Aug. 7 Ohio ballot-access deadline.
Former President Donald Trump, the 78-year-old Republican presidential nominee, last month selected Ohio Sen. JD Vance, 39, as his own running mate — with the pair focusing largely on Biden’s economic record and on Harris’ performance as Biden’s designated point person to reduce illegal immigration, which instead surged to new record highs.
Trump has pledged to eliminate federal taxes on tips and to lower inflation and interest rates if he wins on Nov. 5, though Democrats argue his plans for new tariffs could increase the cost of goods.