(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Harris Goes After Biden

In the first Democratic debate, Kamala Harris attacked rival candidate Joe Biden for opposing school busing in the 1970s, and called his willingness to work with segregationists “hurtful.” Jill Biden, the wife of the former Vice President, said she was surprised by Harris’ attacks, but also said the American people aren’t buying it.

“The one thing you cannot say about Joe is that he’s a racist. I mean, he got into politics because of his commitment to civil rights. And then to be elected with Barack Obama, and then someone is saying, you know, you’re a racist?” Jill Biden told CNN’s Chris Cuomo. “The American people know Joe Biden. They know his values. They know what he stands for. And they didn’t buy it.”

(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Biden disputed the way Harris characterized his position on school busing, saying he “did not oppose busing in America.” He clarified that he only opposed busing “ordered by the Department of Education.” He said he thought busing–which was used to achieve racial integration in schools during the 1970s–should be handled at the local level.

Harris, a Senator from California, surged in the polls after her performance in the first debate. However, Biden is still considered the front-runner.

“I’ve been surprised, not about the attacks, but I’ve been surprised at the intentions sometimes of the attacks, coming from people who know me,” Biden told Chris Cuomo.