Local Democrats reflect on Biden’s exit, Harris’ rise

The questions before July 21 were should he or shouldn’t he? Will he or won’t he?

He is President Joe Biden. Since the first debate nearly a month ago against former President Donald Trump, a Republican, the news has been dominated by discussions about whether Biden, a Democrat, was fit to serve a second term. This topic has almost entirely monopolized the news.

The answer came the afternoon of the 21st when Biden announced he would not seek reelection this November. Almost immediately, Vice President Kamala Harris vaulted into the top spot as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the nation’s highest office.

Five Eden Prairie area Democrats were asked to share their reactions to the developments. They were asked what they thought of Biden’s decision, their views on Harris, and their thoughts on a potential vice presidential candidate. Their answers were virtually the same.

Jan Eian, a former Eden Prairie School Board member who will again serve as an election judge this year, said she was “worried” after Biden’s debate performance.

“He has done a great job as president,” Eian said. “However, I think he is not an especially good campaigner. I’m thankful he opted out.”

Eian is fine with Harris being the front-runner. She is leaning toward Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona for the vice-presidential selection.

Tommy Johnson, who calls himself a strong advocate for military veterans and a staunch Democrat, believes Harris will be a clear difference from Trump.

“I absolutely favor her,” Johnson said. “There are also no other credible candidates.”

He likes Shapiro and Kelly but lists North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper as an attractive vice-presidential candidate, too.

John Mallo called Biden’s move “a good decision.”

“First, it brings the party back together, and up until Sunday, he was delaying the inevitable,” Mallo said.

Mallo said Harris’ candidacy is “great” and said efforts can now “focus on one person.”

He likes Kelly as a vice-presidential candidate because he is from a border state and believes it could bolster the Democrats’ position on immigration.

Michael Miller said Biden made the right decision.

Miller is a retired pastor of Eden Prairie United Methodist Church and a current member of the Interfaith Circle of Eden Prairie.

“He is getting out while he is doing well as president,” Miller said.

Mallo said Harris is the logical choice for the Democratic nominee for president and she has wide support in the party. He said the vice-presidential candidate needs to be a man and should be from a state that “impacts the Electoral College.”

Frank Malley, a past contributor to the Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN), said he embraces Harris and believes “she has wonderful credentials.”

“She worked hand-in-hand with Biden and created 15 million jobs and beat COVID, among other things,” said Malley, who lives in Minnetonka. “Biden did what was best for the country and the party.”

Malley likes Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a vice presidential candidate but has hesitations about Kelly.

“Democrats have a narrow margin in the Senate, and I think he needs to get reelected,” he said.

Malley thinks Democrats will be excited about Harris’ nomination and predicts a “giant voter turnout in November.”