Why hasn't Obama endorsed Harris yet
After Joe Biden's Surprising Withdrawal as Presidential Candidate, Kamala Harris Quickly Gains Support of Top Democrats
Time is running out for the Democrats. With the US Presidential election only about 100 days away, the party is officially without a candidate. It's hardly surprising that Joe Biden quickly endorsed Kamala Harris as his replacement. A group of top Democrats spoke out in support of the current Vice President within hours, including Hillary and Bill Clinton. Harris apparently had gathered the support of all 50 Democratic Party chairpersons. In other words, Harris' list of supporters for her presidential bid is long - and yet, it has a prominent gap.
Former President Barack Obama has yet to comment on a possible presidential bid from Harris. In fact, his statement, released shortly after Biden's withdrawal announcement, did not even mention her name. Instead, it was a tribute to Biden, whom Obama called "one of the most significant Presidents in American history" and "a good friend and partner of mine." Regarding who would now enter the long-running campaign in place of Biden, Obama remained silent - not even hinting at Harris as the likely choice.
The fact that Obama failed to mention Harris in his tribute to Biden is hardly realistic. His endorsement of Harris at that time could have been seen as a form of revenge. After all, it was Harris who supported Obama when he ran for president in 2007, making her the first California representative to do so. At the time, it was not a risky decision, as Hillary Clinton was the favorite.
Greatest Possible Reticence
In Obama's statement on Sunday evening, it now only says that he has "extraordinary faith that our party's nominee will be able to create a process from which an excellent candidate will emerge." While some attribute Obama's failure to mention Harris to personal reasons, others are already speculating about a possible candidacy from Michelle Obama. However, there is no evidence to support either theory.
Instead, Obama's words may have contained less room for interpretation than many assume. According to a report by the "New York Times," Obama did not have an alternative candidate in mind when he wrote his statement without mentioning Harris. Rather, it was about the greatest possible reticence, said a close friend of the Times. Obama sees himself not as someone who rashly endorses candidates but as someone who wants to support the Democratic Party, the friend added.
Obama's behavior is, in fact, neither new nor surprising. After leaving office, Obama had announced that he would not interfere in daily politics - and he has consistently stuck to that promise. Obama also remained neutral in the 2016 presidential campaign between Biden and Bernie Sanders, only endorsing Biden after Sanders had dropped out.
## No Kingmaker
Obama's political instinct may have also played a role in this. According to the report, Obama reportedly did not want to give the impression that he was making a kingmaker for Harris. He wanted to avoid the appearance of a hasty, top-down coronation instead of a best possible consensus within the party. Given that: An early endorsement could further fuel criticism of the Democrats' nomination process and Harris herself. This concern was not unfounded - since Biden's withdrawal, the Trump campaign had already accused the Democrats of being undemocratic multiple times.
Obama's explicit call for an open competition for the Democratic presidential nomination is particularly noteworthy. Michael Yaki, former advisor to Nancy Pelosi, sees this as the real intention of the former president. Top Democrats like Obama, according to him, keep a low profile in their public endorsements to put the base, delegations, etc., in the spotlight. "They want the base, the delegations, etc., to vote for her because it looks more organic. It doesn't look like it's been orchestrated from the top." This is important for Harris' "legitimacy" as a potential Democratic presidential candidate. Harris herself may be aware of this. She also spoke of wanting to "earn and win" the nomination when she announced her candidacy.
Furthermore, Obama's decision might have been influenced by his already tense relationship with Biden. According to the report, Biden never fully forgave Obama for his public support of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US elections. Additionally, Obama was among those Democrats who suggested Biden withdraw after the strongly criticized TV debate.
The prominent void in Harris' list of endorsements could have several reasons. If Obama, as in the previous election campaign, goes for the right moment, Harris could soon announce her support. A sign of this could be the behavior of another top Democrat: Like Obama, Nancy Pelosi initially refrained from publicly endorsing Harris. However, just a few hours ago, she announced that she has "full trust" in Harris as a presidential candidate.
Despite Obama's initial silence, rumors of his possible endorsement of Kamala Harris for the 2024 United States Presidency Election began to circulate. However, in a recent interview, Obama emphasized his commitment to an open competition within the Democrats, reaffirming his stance as a supporter of the party rather than a kingmaker for Harris.
Barack Obama, who has a history of remaining neutral in internal Democratic party affairs, had offered words of praise for Joe Biden in his statement following Biden's withdrawal, but avoided mentioning Harris, a notable ally during his 2008 campaign. This lack of direct endorsement has sparked speculation among political analysts, with some interpreting Obama's actions as a calculated move to maintain his influence within the party without appearing to influence the nomination process.
