Harris cites JFK, Obama among ‘most effective’ presidents, omitting Biden

Harris Highlights Historical Leaders While Leaving Out Her Own President

Provpnadvice.com – During her appearance at the National Urban League Conference, Vice President Kamala Harris shared her perspective on which leaders she considered the most impactful in American history. In a selection that drew attention, she excluded the current president, Joe Biden, despite serving as his vice president for nearly four years.

A Question From the Conference Host

The discussion began when Marc Morial, the president of the National Urban League, posed a direct question to Harris. He asked her to “rank the top 3 most effective American presidents in history.” Rather than limiting herself to three names, Harris expanded her response to include four distinguished leaders.

She opened with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, praising his approach of “investing in people during dire times.” The former president’s New Deal programs and leadership through the Great Depression and World War II clearly resonated with Harris’s vision of effective governance.

Next, she highlighted John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson for their separate contributions to American progress. “I credit Kennedy, of course, in terms of what he laid the groundwork for,” Harris explained. “And then Johnson followed up on.” This acknowledgment of the Kennedy-Johnson legacy demonstrated her appreciation for how one administration can build upon another’s foundation.

Healthcare as a Defining Issue

Harris concluded her list with Barack Obama, citing his achievements in healthcare reform. She noted “what he did with the Affordable Care Act and many things” as evidence of Obama’s effectiveness. This choice reflected her own policy priorities, as healthcare has been a central theme throughout her career.

She connected Obama’s work to ongoing challenges facing the nation. “If we had one issue that’s been ailing America for generations, which is a healthcare system that has failed anyone other than the rich,” she stated, emphasizing that healthcare access remains an unfinished project for the country.

The Notable Omission

Perhaps the most discussed aspect of Harris’s response was her exclusion of Joe Biden. The former president, whom Harris ran alongside in the 2020 election, was notably absent from her list of most effective leaders. This omission carried additional weight given Harris’s recent publication of “107 Days” in 2025, a memoir detailing her time as vice president.

In that book, Harris offered candid reflections on Biden’s decision to seek reelection. She described his choice as amounting to “recklessness,” though she acknowledged the political complexities involved. “I knew it would come off to him as incredibly self-serving if I advised him not to run. He would see it as naked ambition, perhaps as poisonous disloyalty, even if my only message was: Don’t let the other guy win,” Harris wrote.

She also addressed concerns about Biden’s age and performance. “But at 81, Joe got tired,” she continued in the memoir. “That’s when his age showed in physical and verbal stumbles.” These observations provided context for why Harris might have hesitated to include Biden among the most effective presidents.

Timeline of the 2024 Campaign

Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign unfolded under mounting pressure. After announcing his bid for a second term, he faced growing calls from Democratic leaders to step aside following his debate performance against President Trump. Eventually, Biden withdrew from the race, throwing his support behind Harris, who then had just 107 days to prepare for the general election.

Harris has been consistent in her criticism of Biden’s reelection decision. During an appearance on MS NOW’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” she reiterated her position, adding that she had a “certain responsibility” to push back on Biden’s campaign when she believed it was necessary.

As Harris continues her political journey, her assessment of past presidents offers insight into the standards she applies to presidential leadership—and perhaps hints at how she views her own potential future in the Oval Office.