Shapiro: Harris will have to answer for not raising concerns about Biden’s health

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on ESPN's Stephen A. Smith program that Vice President Kamala Harris will have to answer why she did not publicly raise concerns about President Joe Biden's health ahead of the 2024 election. Shapiro made the comments during a recent appearance on Smith's Straight Shooter podcast, where he weighed in on Harris's decision to discuss the matter in her forthcoming book and where Biden's fitness stood in the campaign's final stretch.

During the interview, Shapiro was asked why Harris did not disclose concerns before her new book, 107 Days. He said he hadn't read the book, but argued that Harris would have to explain what she knew and when she knew it. Shapiro said he was extremely vocal about Biden's fitness and that he tried to speak candidly with Biden's staff, preferring direct conversations over airing concerns publicly. He said he believed in being direct with the individuals involved rather than discussing matters with the broader public or the media. He also noted that his own approach to push for candid dialogue reflected his view of leadership at a moment he described as crucial for the country. Fox News Digital later reached out to Harris's representatives for comment.

Harris's decision to publish and discuss concerns about Biden's health has drawn renewed attention in political circles. Her book, 107 Days, is described in the notes surrounding this political moment as detailing the lead-up to the 2024 campaign and the internal deliberations that shaped those months. While the book's specifics are not fully detailed in the notes, the publication is portrayed as a window into how Democratic leadership navigated questions about Biden's health and readiness to run for a second term. The dynamic between Harris and Biden has long been a subject of analysis as the party fashions its post-2024 strategy in a changing political environment.

The notes also reference a separate, post-election account published by reporters at major outlets, which framed a vetting process that reportedly centered on three finalists for a national leadership slot: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Shapiro, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. In that account, the interview with Harris and Shapiro was described as not being a perfect match, with Shapiro coming across as overly ambitious and conceding that it would not be natural for him to serve as someone’s number two. The account attributed those impressions to the authors Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal, Tyler Pager of The New York Times and Isaac Arnsdor of The Washington Post, in a book titled 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America. The passage underscores how even in a time of high scrutiny, perceptions of fit and chemistry can influence naming a running mate or a close ally to a top administration post.

Harris's team did not immediately provide a comment to Fox News Digital, according to the report, and the public record reflects a broader focus on how these high-stakes dynamics shape Democratic messaging and continuity. The episode also comes as political observers evaluate how Harris's expanded public role interacts with Biden's public presence and the potential implications for 2028. Shapiro, speaking about his own political future, described his tenure as governor of Pennsylvania as a privilege and emphasized that he loves the country and the party. He framed the current moment as an inflection point and said he is troubled by what he sees in the country and within his party, adding that he has a voice that needs to be heard in that process. He did not rule out running for president in 2028, saying the decision would depend on a complex mix of factors and timing rather than a spontaneous choice.

The conversation around Harris, Biden and a prospective 2028 bid reflects a broader pattern in U.S. politics: leaders are increasingly scrutinized for their health, candor about health concerns, and the processes by which potential successors are vetted. The book mentioned in the notes about the 2024 process underscores the enduring tension in Democratic circles over how best to balance loyalty to the incumbent with the need to address concerns about health, readiness, and the ability to govern. The dynamic between Harris and Biden remains a focal point as aides and confidential discussions continue to surface in public and in journalistic accounts, shaping a narrative of continuity, risk, and the evolving leadership landscape ahead of future campaigns.

As the 2028 horizon looms, Shapiro’s remarks—touched by questions about a potential bid and about the responsibilities of a modern vice president and presidential contender—illustrate how even veteran political figures must navigate a landscape where public health, transparency, and the optics of leadership are forever under scrutiny. The intersection of state governance experience and national ambition continues to define the contours of the Democratic path forward, with voters watching closely how leaders respond to concerns, how they communicate with the public, and how they position themselves for the elections to come.