As President Biden steps down from the 2024 race, Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the frontrunner with the backing of influential Obama allies.
Barack Obama's camp has remained largely silent on the Democratic presidential race, but his orbit of advisers and allies has not. They have thrown their weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris, signaling a shift in the political landscape.
While Obama has yet to formally endorse Harris, his close associates have played a significant role in her campaign. Eric Holder, Obama's former attorney general, is leading the vetting process for potential running mates. David Plouffe, a longtime Obama adviser, has been approached for a leadership position. And Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, Obama's 2012 deputy campaign manager and Biden's 2024 re-election campaign chair, is now Harris' campaign manager.
Obama's Orbit Supports Harris' Candidacy: Dumping Biden for the Dems' Best Shot
This support has coincided with a growing chorus of Obama allies urging Biden to exit the race. David Axelrod, Obama's former chief campaign strategist, declared that Biden is "not winning this race." Actor George Clooney, a close friend of Obama, called for Biden to drop out in a bombshell op-ed. Jon Favreau, former director of speech writing for Obama, echoed this sentiment, citing concerns about Biden's mental acuity.
The "Obama Bros" — Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor — dedicated an entire episode of their podcast to criticizing Biden. They praised Harris' candidacy, highlighting her strong fundraising and diverse coalition of supporters.
Obama's Orbit Supports Harris' Candidacy: Dumping Biden for the Dems' Best Shot
Obama's reluctance to endorse Harris may stem from his cautious approach to endorsements. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 only after she had secured the nomination. In 2020, he waited until days before the Democratic National Convention to endorse Biden.
However, the alliance between Obama's orbit and Harris' campaign suggests a calculated move to position Harris as the Democrats' best chance at defeating Donald Trump in 2024. Harris has a history of supporting Obama, having endorsed him in 2008 and being present at his campaign announcement. She has also been dubbed "the female Obama" by some analysts.
Obama's Orbit Supports Harris' Candidacy: Dumping Biden for the Dems' Best Shot
As momentum builds behind Harris' candidacy, Obama's statement following Biden's withdrawal is notable for its lack of explicit endorsement. He praised Biden's leadership but emphasized the need for a candidate who can energize the party and defeat Trump.
Obama's camp is known for its political savvy and strategic decision-making. Their support for Harris signals a belief that she has the potential to unite the Democrats and emerge victorious in 2024. Whether Obama will formally endorse Harris remains to be seen, but his allies' actions speak volumes about the direction he believes the party should take.
Obama's Orbit Supports Harris' Candidacy: Dumping Biden for the Dems' Best Shot
