Foreign travel is one of the times where presidents are very visible. And they're also more exposed, so, there's likely to be some occasions when she'll be asked about Afghanistan, and vice presidents speak with a large microphone, so there'll be attention to what she says, in a way that there isn't with many other officials.

Joel Goldstein

It's part of a progression of Vice President Harris ' vice presidency, vice presidents have taken on important missions in the past, and I think this is certainly the most significant mission yet of Vice President Harris ' vice presidency.

I think that this is an important opportunity for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can play a role that Joel Goldstein is uniquely able to play and that is to make a visible presentation of the ideals of administration, a great platform.

You can't be in the room at Obama White House if you have to be down at Capitol Hill to break a tie vote. You can't be traveling around the world to meet with leaders on the international stage, or you can't be traveling domestically, it can work havoc with the vice president's calendar.