Biden Knew He’d Be A Debate Target, But He Wasn’t Prepared For Harris Attacks

MARSHALLTOWN, IA - JULY 04: Former Vice President and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event on July 4, 2019 in Marshalltown, Iowa. The 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses will take place on M... MARSHALLTOWN, IA - JULY 04: Former Vice President and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event on July 4, 2019 in Marshalltown, Iowa. The 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses will take place on Monday, February 3, 2020. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Former Vice President Joe Biden knew he would be an easy target during the Democratic debates last week. But he wasn’t prepared for Sen. Kamala Harris’ (D-CA) personal criticism over the busing issue.

“I was prepared for them to come after me, but I wasn’t prepared for the person coming at me the way she came at me,” he told CNN’s Chris Cuomo in an interview that aired Friday. “She knew Beau, she knows me, I don’t– anyway, here’s the deal … the American people think they know me and they know me.”

Harris has been criticized in recent days over her walk-back of her position on federally mandated busing to desegregate schools. During the debate she lambasted Biden for his record on the issue, invoking a personal story about her own experience participating in the busing program as a little girl.

But earlier this week, she walked back her support of the program, arguing it is one of many “tools” for desegregation.

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