Former President Barack Obama reportedly exhibited skepticism about Kamala Harris’s viability as a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, actively working behind the scenes to undermine her campaign.
This revelation comes from a new book titled FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, co-authored by NBC political reporter Jonathan Allen and The Hill senior correspondent Amie Parnes.
The book outlines the tumultuous efforts within the Democratic Party to identify a suitable replacement for President Joe Biden after he withdrew from the race.
It claims that Obama did not support Harris’s candidacy and even advocated for a “mini-primary” to explore other options.
While Obama later endorsed Harris five days after Biden stepped aside, his earlier actions illustrated a lack of confidence in her ability to secure a victory against Donald Trump.
Allen discussed the situation on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, highlighting that sources indicated Obama believed Harris was not the best option for the Democratic Party.
He pushed for an open convention, illustrating his doubts about Harris’s electability. One notable incident involved Obama setting up a phone call with South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn on the same day Biden formally transitioned his candidacy to Harris.
Concerned that Obama was attempting to promote the idea of a contested convention, Clyburn quickly endorsed Harris to counter this effort.
During her discussion with Obama on the day of the transfer, Harris reportedly did not receive an endorsement from him, indicating his hesitation to fully back her candidacy.
This account sheds light on the internal dynamics and challenges Harris faced within the Democratic establishment as she prepared for her, ultimately failing, campaign.
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