Former President Barack Obama has shied away from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in her US presidential bid over doubts about her ability to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump, according to a source close to the Biden family.
After 81-year-old Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the US presidential race and immediate endorsement of Harris, most Democratic leaders swiftly rallied behind her candidacy. However, the 44th US President notably withheld his endorsement. “Obama’s very upset because he knows she can’t win,” the Biden family source revealed to the New York Post.
“Obama knows she’s just incompetent—the border czar who’s never visited the border, advocating that all migrants should have health insurance. She’s not equipped to navigate the challenges ahead.” The turning point for Biden, 81, came after a widely slammed debate performance against Trump last month in Atlanta, which was reportedly orchestrated to push him out of the race.
The source expressed skepticism about Harris’s prospects in a televised debate against Trump, predicting potential missteps on issues like Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine. “She can’t debate. She’s going to put her foot in her mouth,” the source claimed. According to the source, Obama’s initial hope was to clear the path for Biden’s exit, a strategy bolstered by an article from George Clooney urging Biden to step aside.
However, Biden’s immediate endorsement of Harris caught Obama by surprise. Post-Biden, Obama reportedly favoured Arizona Senator Mark Kelly as a potential top candidate for the Democratic National Convention next month, according to the Post. “Obama is furious that things haven’t gone his way, which is why he hasn’t joined the Democratic Party’s support for Harris,” the Biden source added. Rod Blagojevich, a former Democratic governor now supporting Trump, claimed that without Obama’s influence, Biden would likely still be the Democratic nominee.
On Monday, Kamala Harris secured support from a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, likely ensuring she will become the party’s nominee for president next month. Amid questions about his age and health, Biden pledged to remain in office as president until his term ends on Jan. 20, 2025. An Associated Press survey of delegates showed Harris had the support of 2,538 delegates, well beyond the 1,976 needed to win the delegates vote in the coming weeks. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said on Monday the party will deliver a presidential nominee by Aug. 7. Delegates could still change their minds before Aug. 7.
Why Did Obama Hold Back From Endorsing Kamala Harris Post-Biden’s Presidential Exit? – News18
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Obama (right) has shied away from endorsing Kamala Harris (center) in her US presidential bid after Biden (left) dropped out. (Collage of images sourced from Reuters)
Obama reportedly hasn’t endorsed Kamala Harris for president, citing doubts about her ability to defeat Trump, says Biden family source
Former President Barack Obama has shied away from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in her US presidential bid over doubts about her ability to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump, according to a source close to the Biden family.
After 81-year-old Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the US presidential race and immediate endorsement of Harris, most Democratic leaders swiftly rallied behind her candidacy. However, the 44th US President notably withheld his endorsement. “Obama’s very upset because he knows she can’t win,” the Biden family source revealed to the New York Post.
“Obama knows she’s just incompetent—the border czar who’s never visited the border, advocating that all migrants should have health insurance. She’s not equipped to navigate the challenges ahead.” The turning point for Biden, 81, came after a widely slammed debate performance against Trump last month in Atlanta, which was reportedly orchestrated to push him out of the race.
The source expressed skepticism about Harris’s prospects in a televised debate against Trump, predicting potential missteps on issues like Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine. “She can’t debate. She’s going to put her foot in her mouth,” the source claimed. According to the source, Obama’s initial hope was to clear the path for Biden’s exit, a strategy bolstered by an article from George Clooney urging Biden to step aside.
However, Biden’s immediate endorsement of Harris caught Obama by surprise. Post-Biden, Obama reportedly favoured Arizona Senator Mark Kelly as a potential top candidate for the Democratic National Convention next month, according to the Post. “Obama is furious that things haven’t gone his way, which is why he hasn’t joined the Democratic Party’s support for Harris,” the Biden source added. Rod Blagojevich, a former Democratic governor now supporting Trump, claimed that without Obama’s influence, Biden would likely still be the Democratic nominee.
On Monday, Kamala Harris secured support from a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, likely ensuring she will become the party’s nominee for president next month. Amid questions about his age and health, Biden pledged to remain in office as president until his term ends on Jan. 20, 2025. An Associated Press survey of delegates showed Harris had the support of 2,538 delegates, well beyond the 1,976 needed to win the delegates vote in the coming weeks. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said on Monday the party will deliver a presidential nominee by Aug. 7. Delegates could still change their minds before Aug. 7.