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During a recent appearance, political reporter Jonathan Allen revealed insights about former President Barack Obama’s stance on Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. According to Allen, Obama was not in favor of Harris taking over as the Democratic nominee, believing she would struggle to secure a victory.
“Our sources indicate that President Obama felt that Joe Biden should step aside, and he did not support Kamala Harris as the successor. He was actively working behind the scenes to push for an alternative arrangement, such as an open primary or a mini-convention, as he lacked confidence in her potential to win the election,” Allen discussed during an MSNBC segment.
In collaboration with Amie Parnes, a senior political correspondent for The Hill, Allen is promoting their upcoming book, titled “FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House,” which is set to be published this month.
Allen reiterated the implications of Obama’s position: “Although ultimately, she did not prevail in the primary, it is clear that Obama was not in her corner.”
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Allen elaborated on how Obama refrained from endorsing Harris during an initial conversation on the same day Biden announced his exit from the election. This hesitation underscored the former president’s reluctance to support Harris at such a pivotal moment.
Despite initial reservations, Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama later endorsed Harris, but notably, their public support was not immediate; it came five days after Biden’s endorsement of her.
In a significant move on the day Biden officially transitioned the campaign to Harris, Obama orchestrated a call with Congressman James Clyburn. Allen noted, “Clyburn realized that Obama seemed poised to solicit his input on the open convention discussion, so he quickly made his endorsement of Harris public to avoid an extensive dialogue.”
Representatives for both Obama and Harris have not yet responded to inquiries regarding these revelations.
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The book also sheds light on Biden’s management of his relationship with Harris, revealing that he sought to maintain her loyalty to his agenda. During discussions leading up to a crucial debate, Biden explicitly urged Harris not to take any stance that might create a rift, emphasizing the need for a united front.
The authors described Biden’s mindset when they stated, “Despite the outcomes of the election, Biden was concerned that any divergence from his policies by Harris—especially in a public forum—could endanger his legacy.”
Ahead of the debate, Biden conveyed his expectations to Harris, instructing her, “No daylight, kid,” reinforcing the notion that he wanted her to align closely with his positions.
Throughout her campaign, Harris faced scrutiny for her reluctance to deviate from Biden’s policies. At one point, she remarked on “The View” that she could not identify any significant differences in approach between herself and Biden during his first term.
Original article source: Obama was working against Kamala Harris behind the scenes, didn’t think she could win, new book reveals
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