Karine Jean-Pierre

Would you say this book is your reengagement with politics?

- BY PETER AITKEN

GROUNDBREAKING Biden "chose historical picks...representing what this country looked like," women like Jean-Pierre (below) and Harris.

A_ The book is definitely about reengaging with politics and how you look at the political system. I talk about that a lot in the book, and I really hope people take an opportunity to read it. We are in a moment where we have to look at the two-party system, and we need a two-party system that’s working in order for our democracy to move forward. I do think that it’s a broken system, and while, obviously, I've been a Democrat my whole entire life, I’m not looking for a fight here. I'm looking to really pull back and take a look at what's happening. I do feel like it’s time to question what our leadership is doing. I no longer feel compelled to just be following a party. I think it’s important to question our leadership, and to push them to do the right thing, or to fight for us or to make sure that they're all in.

Have you spoken much with President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris since you left the White House?

I spoke recently to President Joe Biden. He called me a couple of weeks ago, in September. He called me to check in and tell me that he was proud of me. It was a very brief call. I haven't spoken to Vice President Harris in some time since the administration, but I have stayed in touch with President Biden.