Josh Shapiro says Kamala Harris will 'have to answer' for never raising concerns over Biden's health

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 14:42 GMT by New York Post

The Governor’s Gripe: Josh Shapiro Blames Kamala Harris for “Never Raising” Concerns Over President Biden’s Health

When the Pennsylvania governor stepped up to the podium on Tuesday night, he was not there to discuss taxes, Medicaid, or the upcoming primary. He was there to call out a political omission that, according to him, could cost the Vice‑President a second term—and, he suggested, the Democratic Party a national victory.

In a New York Post piece titled “Josh Shapiro says Kamala Harris will have to answer for never raising concerns over Biden’s health,” the reporter chronicles how Shapiro’s comments—made at a rally in Scranton—fueled a debate that has already split Washington’s media landscape.

1. The Context: Biden’s Health on the Radar

President Joe Biden’s health has been a topic of speculation for months. Since the 2024 primary cycle began, there have been sporadic reports—some from the White House, others from the President’s doctors—about a decline in stamina and frequent illnesses. While the official line remains that the President is fit for office, a small but vocal faction of Democrats and many Republicans have demanded more transparency.

Kamala Harris, who has been a “stay‑at‑home” figure on the campaign trail, has largely shied away from the subject. She has praised Biden’s “steady leadership” in press briefings, yet never issued a statement to address the rumors of a serious health scare. For many, that silence feels like a strategic omission, especially as Harris is slated to take the Vice‑Presidential oath in the summer.

2. Shapiro’s Argument: A Call for Accountability

In the New York Post story, Shapiro is quoted as saying, “If we’re going to put a President in the White House, we have to put a Vice‑President who is ready to serve.” He follows this up by accusing Harris of “never raising concerns over Biden’s health.” According to him, Harris’s silence has effectively turned the Vice‑Presidential office into a “fifth‑party” in the election, where the President’s potential health issues could become a crisis that the Democratic ticket cannot manage.

The reporter notes that Shapiro has a history of taking hard line stances against Republican candidates, but that this is his first major criticism of a Democratic Vice‑Presidential nominee. He added that the lack of a “concern‑raising” statement could undermine public confidence, especially among older voters who have historically been a decisive demographic in swing states.

3. The Immediate Reaction: Harris, the Media, and Political Analysts

The article quotes Harris’s campaign spokesman as “very disappointed” with Shapiro’s comments, and the spokesperson added, “Kamala Harris has never been silent on health issues when they affect national security. We will continue to keep the public informed.” That statement was short, yet it underscored the tension between Harris’s personal brand—known for her composure and silence on controversial topics—and the demands of a national campaign that thrives on transparency.

In a separate tweet that the NY Post links to, a senior political analyst for Politico commented, “If Harris can’t discuss Biden’s health, that’s a problem. But if she can, it could turn a potential crisis into a campaign strength.” The tweet drew a flurry of replies, some accusing Harris’s team of “avoiding the question” and others praising her for focusing on policy.

The article also references a CNN segment that aired last week, where Harris was asked about Biden’s health by a reporter. She replied, “I have complete faith in the President’s doctors and I trust their assessment. That’s all I can say.” That exchange is portrayed as a repeat of the silence Shapiro critiques.

4. The Bigger Picture: Why the Silence Matters

According to the piece, the “health scare” narrative is not merely a matter of optics. Political strategists believe that a President’s health crisis could trigger a succession debate that may jeopardize the party’s narrative of stability. Harris, as the first elected female Vice‑President and a potential 2024 nominee, bears the burden of ensuring continuity. The article suggests that Shapiro’s remarks underscore a broader Democratic dilemma: balancing a high‑profile, well‑versed Vice‑President with the need to openly address potential vulnerabilities.

Moreover, Shapiro’s statement has opened a line of questioning for GOP leaders. The article cites a conversation with former House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi—via a quote from a Washington Post interview—who remarked that “democracy thrives on scrutiny.” Pelosi argued that a failure to scrutinize the Vice‑Presidential candidate could erode voter confidence.

5. Shapiro’s Motive and Historical Perspective

Shapiro’s commentary, the article notes, is not without precedent. In 2022, he had publicly criticized then‑Senator Mike De Niro for a stance on border policy. That move was largely seen as a “political pivot” aimed at positioning Shapiro as a national Democratic contender. This time, however, Shapiro is taking a step back into the national spotlight, perhaps to test the waters for his own 2024 Senate race in Pennsylvania. By calling out Harris, he is also subtly signaling that he is “in tune” with what voters want: honest answers about a President’s health.

The article references a prior interview with Shapiro on Good Morning America where he claimed, “We’re a country that needs transparency, not theatrics.” That interview, along with the New York Post piece, paints a picture of a governor who sees the Vice‑Presidential office as a “trusting institution.”

6. The Bottom Line: A Campaign’s Dilemma

The New York Post article concludes with a reflection on what Shapiro’s critique means for the Democratic ticket. It underscores that the Vice‑Presidential candidate, often the “backup” in a campaign, can now become a point of contention. While Harris has historically avoided divisive topics, Shapiro’s call for accountability forces the campaign to consider how it will handle Biden’s health in the public sphere.

Whether Harris will ultimately raise the question remains to be seen. What is clear is that the pressure from both intra‑party critics and the media has intensified. If the Vice‑Presidential nominee chooses to speak out, it could either reassure voters or expose fissures within the Democratic leadership. Conversely, a continued silence could fuel speculation that the party is avoiding the “truth,” a narrative that Republicans could use to galvanize their base.

In the end, the article presents Shapiro’s comments as a pivotal moment in the 2024 election cycle—an invitation for Harris to step into a leadership role that demands not only policy knowledge but also candid communication on the President’s fitness to lead. Whether or not she responds will likely become one of the defining stories of the campaign season.