Biden’s personal notes on Harris: No grudges

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Joe Biden’s personal notes were captured in a photograph Tuesday, revealing talking points about Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., a leading contender to be the former vice president’s running mate.

On personal stationary, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had written “Kamala Harris” and under her name he’d jotted down five points to make if asked about her as his potential pick:

“Do not hold grudges.”

“Campaigned with me & Jill.”

“Talented.”

“Great help to campaign.”

“Great respect for her.”

Biden, the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, said that he will announce his choice for running mate next week and that it’s come down to several female candidates, among them Harris.

The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment.

While there are many Democrats rooting for a Biden-Harris ticket, others are worried the high-profile swipe she took at him last year during a presidential primary debate would haunt their ticket.

Harris excoriated Biden in what became the high-water mark of her run for president, questioning his kind words about pro-segregation senators he’d served with and accusing him of opposing busing black children to integrated schools.

On the debate stage, she described a little girl who had benefited from the program.

“And that little girl was me,” she said.

The former vice president’s wife, Jill Biden, has likened that moment to “a punch to the gut.”

Biden’s notes suggest that his campaign is expecting to get questions about his relationship with Harris, particularly that tough debate moment – hence his point about not holding grudges.

What’s not listed on the crib sheet, which was photographed by The Associated Press’s Andrew Harnik during a rare Biden news conference Tuesday afternoon, is Harris’s friendship with his son Beau Biden when she was attorney general of California and he was attorney general of Delaware.

Since dropping out of the race and endorsing Biden, Harris has been a loyal supporter, holding virtual fundraisers and campaigning – as much as one can during a pandemic.

Biden’s notes included other topics, but Harris was the only vice presidential candidate they prepped him to discuss.

He had a section about Attorney General William Barr, who was testifying on Capitol Hill. His notes just said “Justice Department,” but under them he’d written, “the people’s lawyer not the president’s lawyer.”

Under “Last 100 days,” a reference to the final stretch of the campaign, he’d written “tell the truth,” “take responsibility,” “listen to scientists” and “restore soul.”

At the bottom of the page it appears to say “Barack,” as in former president Barack Obama, but only the “B” and “ck” are visible.