During Wednesday’s White House press conference, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Vice President Kamala Harris was selected for the role because "she is indeed the future of the party." The comment comes as many are looking at Harris as a potential replacement for Biden as the Democratic nominee following Biden’s poor performance at CNN’s presidential debate.

Jean-Pierre was pressed on Biden’s comments during his 2020 campaign in which he said that he was a "transition candidate" who would be a "bridge to the next generation of Democratic leaders" and whether the president, who has been under scrutiny for his age following the presidential debate, still believes this. 

In response, Jean-Pierre said Biden’s statement still stood, adding that "one of the reasons why he picked the Vice President Kamala Harris is because she is indeed the future of the party.

"And he’s very proud to have partnered with her, and continue to partner with her, in delivering an unprecedented record for the American people. And I think he’s gonna continue, certainly, to do that, they’re going to do that as partners. Like I said, I just saw them before walking into the briefing room, they stopped by to talk to me and my team, and they’re ready to go. They’re ready to continue."

The reporter pressed on the topic, asking, "so the transition would be in eight years" and "not four," to which Jean-Pierre said she wasn’t going to "get into speculation."

Jean-Pierre was also asked if she believed that Biden is still "as sharp today as he was when he took this job." She said that Biden was "strong and resolute in delivering for the American people," adding that he is "as sharp as ever."

Jean-Pierre said that when she sees him in the White House or Air Force One, "I have to be on top of my game."