Barack Obama Opposed Kamala Harris as Biden’s Replacement, Book Claims
A new book by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes alleges that former U.S. President Barack Obama actively worked against Kamala Harris after Joe Biden exited the 2024 presidential race. According to the authors, Obama believed Harris lacked the strength to defeat Donald Trump and pushed for an open primary instead of backing her candidacy.
Obama’s Doubts About Harris’s Electability
In an interview with MSNBC, Jonathan Allen, a senior political reporter at NBC News, stated that Obama was convinced Biden should not continue his campaign.
- He claimed that Obama was also against Harris stepping in, fearing she would not be able to unite the Democratic Party or defeat Trump.
- The former president advocated for a mini-primary or an open convention to allow other Democratic candidates to compete for the nomination.
Behind-the-Scenes Efforts to Block Harris
The book, Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, released on April 1, reveals that Obama worked behind closed doors to shape the party’s direction.
- He reportedly encouraged party leaders to explore alternative candidates rather than automatically backing Harris.
- When Biden officially withdrew, Obama did not immediately endorse Harris, signaling his reluctance to support her candidacy.
Kamala Harris’s Defeat to Trump
Despite opposition within her party, Harris secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump, who staged a historic political comeback.
- Biden, 82, dropped out after a disastrous debate performance, leading to mounting criticism within the Democratic Party.
- Trump, then 78, reclaimed the presidency in one of the most unexpected election results in U.S. history.
The Future of the Democratic Party
Obama’s hesitation to back Harris raises questions about the Democratic Party’s future leadership.
- Some analysts argue that his push for an open primary could have helped Democrats find a stronger candidate.
- Others believe his lack of support for Harris weakened party unity at a crucial moment in the election.
While Obama’s influence on the 2024 election remains a topic of debate, the book suggests that his reservations about Harris played a significant role in shaping the Democratic Party’s final strategy.
