Former Vice President Kamala Harris did not include President Joe Biden when asked to name the most effective presidents in American history. Harris, speaking at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville, instead named Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Barack Obama.
During the event on July 31, 2026, Harris was prompted by NUL President Marc Morial to answer the question. She initially demurred, saying, "Oh Marc, don’t make me do that." She then elaborated on Roosevelt's presidency, highlighting his administration's work on Social Security and his belief in the government's role in public health, safety, and education.
Harris credited Kennedy for laying groundwork and Johnson for following up on initiatives, though she did not specify which ones. She also mentioned Barack Obama, drawing applause from the audience for his work on the Affordable Care Act.
The omission of Biden from her list comes amid discussions about her potential 2028 presidential campaign. During the Nashville event, Harris also signaled a shift in her political positions, suggesting support for abolishing the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court, and granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.
In her 2024 book, "107 Days," Harris described challenges in her previous presidential campaign, including a lack of support from the White House communications team in pushing back against Republican characterizations of her role as "border czar." She wrote that she shouldered blame for border issues that had historically been intractable for administrations of both parties.