Gabbard calls the confrontation between Harris and Biden "a political ploy" to attract attention

representative Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardGabbard defends Biden while Harris defends non-mandatory buses. Presidential candidates hear the footsteps of challengers at home. The Hill & # 39; s 12:30 Report: First Debate: The First Debate Over Fundraising Dem Dem Rankings (D-Hawaii) went after Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisGabbard defends Biden as Harris defends non-mandatory buses Poll: Trump trails on track Biden and Sanders beat Buttigieg, Harris and Warren Democrats are too far to conquer Central America MORE (D-Calif.) For his remarks on the former vice-president Joe BidenJoe Biden: Sarah McBride, female activist, announces her candidacy for the Delaware Senate. Poll: Trump follows Biden and Sanders beat Buttigieg, Harris and Warren Democrats are too far left to win Central America. MORE in the first round of Democratic debates last month.

Gabbard called the viral moment of Harris in which she had called Biden for her previous position on the bus and comments on working with segregationists in Congress, "a political ploy" to smear Biden and strengthen the position of the California senator in the Democratic primary field overcrowded.

"Really, what she's saying is that her position is the same one she's been criticizing for Joe Biden," Gabbard told CBS News Monday. "So, this is just a political ploy and I think a very sneaky, just to try to get noticed, to get noticed in the polls."

"I think we have to be above that," added Gabbard. "All of us."

Gabbard also said Harris had "accused Joe Biden of being racist – while he was obviously not – to try to mess him up".

Ian Sams, a spokesman for Harris, pointed out that Gabbard's accusation went against what Harris had said about Biden during the debate.

"She literally said in the debate," I do not think you're racist, "" Sams told The Hill on Monday about Gabbard's previous attack.

The California senator made it clear that she did not believe that Biden was a racist before recalling his earlier position on the issue.

Harris stood out at the second night of the Miami debates at the end of last month, when she called Biden for opposing the mandatory bus service of the federal authorities for the desegregation of public schools in the 1970s.

Harris noted that Biden's opposition was deeply personal because she had been transported by bus to school.

The Hill solicited feedback from the Biden and Harris campaigns.