On Wednesday’s episode of CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) made the case for 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that she represents a new generation of leadership on key issues like inflation and foreign policy.
Polis, a surrogate for the Harris-Walz ticket, emphasized that vice presidents and lieutenant governors often serve as understudies to the top executive, ready to take the reins if needed. “They’re there, they’re ready, they’re a breath away from the governorship, the presidency,” Polis explained.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) countered that the Democratic Party had missed an opportunity to bring in fresh leadership by sticking with Vice President Harris, who he characterized as “Biden 2.0.” Sununu argued that Americans are hungry for change, citing issues like inflation and international security. “You go to the polls, you’re voting for either, I’m okay with the way America is right now, and very few are, or I want that agent of change,” Sununu said.
Polis pushed back, insisting that Vice President Harris is the embodiment of that change. “Kamala Harris is that new leader,” Polis said, drawing a parallel between the role of a vice president and that of a lieutenant governor, like the one he has in Colorado. “Many states, they have lieutenant governors… do they run the show? No, they don’t. They’re there, they’re ready, they’re a breath away from the governorship, the presidency.”
Sununu interjected, questioning whether President Biden is truly in charge, to which Polis replied that the president is indeed running the show.
