2020 presidential front-runner Joe Biden faced a fierce backlash on social media for calling Sen. Kamala Harris “kid” during the introductions for Wednesday night’s presidential debate.
Biden, 76, leading in the polls, was the first candidate brought on the stage Wednesday night. Harris, 54, was the second candidate introduced. They shook hands, exchanged a few words, and Biden could be heard on a hot mic urging her: “Go easy on me, kid.”
A number of social media users were critical of Biden referring to a sitting senator of color as if she were a child.
Ummm. “Go easy on me, kid”? He will always be terrible but it’s pretty amazing how consistently willing he is to remind us.
— roxane gay (@rgay) August 1, 2019
“Go easy on me, kid.” Joe Biden pleads for mercy and belittles Harris in one fell swoop https://t.co/x9gVT0ZoY5 via @bpolitics
— Wendy Benjaminson (@wbenjaminson) August 1, 2019
Ian Sams, Harris’s national press secretary, expressed bemusement.
— Ian Sams (@IanSams) August 1, 2019
Steve Guest, Republican rapid response director, interjected by wondering if Biden had lost the debate before it had started.
Did Joe Biden just lose the debate during the introductions?
Biden said “Go easy on me kid” to Kamala Harris. #DemDebate
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 1, 2019
During the first presidential debate last month, Harris came out attacking the former vice president on a litany of issues including but not limited to previous comments he made about working with segregationist senators. Biden discussing working with them as an example of being able to put opinions aside to work with other politicians.
did i just hear biden call kamala “kid”?
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 1, 2019
