Oh, what a sight it was to see in Puerto Rico! Kamala Harris, in an attempt to showcase the Biden administration’s commitment to humanitarian aid, ended up clapping along to a song protesting her very presence on the island. It’s like watching someone enthusiastically agree with criticism directed at them, not realizing the irony of their actions. This incident is just the cherry on top of a series of awkward moments that have come to define the current administration’s public appearances.
Harris was in Puerto Rico to drum up support among the five million Puerto Ricans living in the continental U.S. to vote blue in November. She toured areas devastated by Hurricane Maria alongside Gov. Pedro Pierluisi and other officials, demonstrating the administration’s concern for the territory. However, amidst the drumbeats of anti-colonial protestors chanting in Spanish, Harris found herself unwittingly clapping along to their demands for a free Palestine and increased aid for Haiti. The protestors were essentially asking, “We want to know, Kamala, what did you come here for? We want to know. The vice president is here making history. We want to know what she thinks of the colony.” And there she was, smiling and clapping, until an aide mercifully clued her in.
Kamala Harris smiles, claps along to Puerto Rico protest song but stops after aide tells her that they’re protesting her ???????????? pic.twitter.com/uKEznMqeBv
— Clown World ™ ???? (@ClownWorld_) March 24, 2024
The video of this blunder quickly made rounds on social media, serving as a painful reminder of the gulf that often exists between politicians and the people they serve. Critics were quick to label Harris as possibly “the dumbest VP in the history of our country,” a harsh but perhaps not entirely surprising judgment given the administration’s track record of missteps and misunderstandings.
But let’s not miss the forest for the trees here. The real issue isn’t just a vice president clapping at the wrong time; it’s the broader implications of the visit and the ongoing debate about Puerto Rico’s status. Democrats have been pushing for statehood, seeing it as a potential boon for their electoral prospects. Republicans, on the other hand, have been wary, partly due to concerns about taxation and representation. Meanwhile, many Puerto Ricans are caught in the middle, unsure if statehood is truly in their best interests.