While panelists on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday seemed somber discussing Sen. Kamala Harris’ withdrawal from the presidential race, host Joe Scarborough pointed out it was politically savvy move that will give the California Democrat the chance to “live to fight another day.”
Harris announced the suspension of her campaign Tuesday, and panelists on Wednesday’s show called the move “shocking,” especially because she brought such diversity to the field of Democratic candidates.
Scarborough noted that beyond Harris dropping out, the next Democratic debate might not have any people of color on the stage since Sen. Cory Booker (D – NJ) hasn’t yet qualified for the event. Booker, he said, hasn’t been able to connect with older black voters in the way former vice president Joe Biden has.
“I will say this though about Kamala Harris: Her dropping out surprised a lot of people but that actually is the smart play. When you get out early and don’t wait for the 1,000 articles to be written asking the question, ‘When are you going to give up?’ it actually protects you politically and allows you to live to fight another day.”
Co-host Mika Brzezinski agreed, saying that’s what Harris “wants to do,” and Scarborough told viewers to expect Harris to run again.