**Biden's Campaign Support for Harris Raises Speculation Amid Tensions**

As the 2024 election campaign intensifies, President Joe Biden's attempts to support Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail have reportedly been met with resistance from her team. According to a recent Axios report, Harris's campaign has been non-committal about scheduling joint appearances with the 81-year-old president. Sources suggest this might be due to concerns that Biden represents the past rather than a fresh direction forward.

Currently, there are no scheduled public events where both Biden and Harris will campaign together before Election Day. Biden has made several solo appearances, such as his address at the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee Autumn Dinner on October 15, a campaign stop in New Hampshire last week, and another in Pittsburgh last Saturday. The Pittsburgh visit, in particular, caught Harris's team by surprise, raising eyebrows about the alleged rift.

The issue is notable given Biden's pivotal endorsement of Harris in the 2020 race, which played a crucial role in helping her secure the Democratic nomination. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates has denied any rift, stating the administration is in close touch with Harris's campaign to coordinate Biden's involvement.

Another strain on Biden and Harris's dynamic stems from Biden's impromptu comment about needing to "lock [Trump] up," which he later clarified as a call to lock Trump out politically. Still, the remark fueled criticism from Trump and other Republicans.

Biden's solo campaign efforts have not generated the same level of excitement as those of other prominent Democrats like former President Barack Obama, who recently campaigned in Georgia and Michigan. Biden is also contemplating campaign support for Democratic Senate candidates in Delaware and Maryland.

Poll numbers further complicate matters. Biden's approval rating currently sits at 40.8%, with a disapproval rating of 56.6%, according to RealClearPolitics aggregates. Despite her careful public praise of Biden, Harris has indicated she would chart a different course if elected, aiming to distance herself from the current administration while recognizing Biden's past support.

Behind the scenes, tensions simmer both ways. Some Harris allies blame Biden's team for insufficient logistical support, while Biden loyalists speculate that a Harris victory could lead to a shake-up that sidelines them. Yet, spokespeople for Harris deny any pre-election plans for staffing changes, focusing instead on building the necessary infrastructure for a potential transition.